Christmas in Mexico

Written by MikeH

Christmas in Mexico is celebrated in the period from December 12th, a day dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Saint Patroness of Mexico, to January 6th dedicated to the arrival of “Los Reyes Magos” (Three Wise Men). 

Representation of Las Posadas

These traditions are a mixture from several periods: Pre-Hispanic period; Spanish traditions brought by the conquerors and the friars; Traditions created during Mexico’s colonial period; Adaptations from German and United States Christmas traditions.

Nochebuena (Poinsettia) Flowers 

This is a special and colourful period, when houses, businesses and public buildings are nicely decorated with the streets richly illuminated and full of “Nochebuena” flowers (poinsettia); one can find beautiful Christmas trees in the main city squares, like in Mexico City. Also typical and very Mexican traditions are the “Posadas” followed by the famous “Pastorelas”. People get ready for Christmas from November and they usually go to traditional “tianguis” (street markets) to get decorations, gifts, flowers, etc. Schools are closed for about two weeks so children can spend time with their families. 

As I have mentioned in my previous posts, Mexico is a big country and there may be differences in the way people celebrate Christmas. Each element or festivity deserves a separate article however, my goal through this post is to give you an overview on this special celebration. 

Festivities

• Nochebuena Flower (poinsettia): First and most important Christmas festivity is the Nochebuena flower, originally from Mexico and called cuetlaxochitl in the pre-Hispanic period. Nochebuena name is also used to refer to a dark beer which is only produced during the Christmas season and let me tell that you will find it very tasty! 

• Christmas Tree: This American tradition was adopted in Mexico in the late 20th century. Since personal incomes have increased and prices of the trees have fallen, people can easily afford nice and colourful ones. Live trees have become more popular however other people may prefer artificial ones. 

• Los Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes): The most traditional and important Christmas decoration is the nativity scene. Generally set up by December 12th and left on display until at least February 2nd and found in homes, businesses and churches. They were introduced in the early colonial period when the first Mexican monks taught the indigenous people how to carve the figures. The basic set up is similar to those in other parts of the world, with a focus on the Holy Family, surrounded by angels, shepherds, wise men and animals. 

• Las Piñatas: The Spanish Evangelists used them to teach Christian beliefs to the natives. With the traditional star-shaped piñata still being broken by children during the Posadas. The Mexican piñata has symbolic and didactic meaning. The vessel represents Satan who has all the goods of the world, decorated to attract people. Even more traditional are the seven points to represent the seven cardinal sins. The stick represents the Christian faith to defeat evil and release the treasure for all.

Representation of Las Pastorelas

Celebrations

• Celebration to the Virgin of Guadalupe: The Christmas season begins with celebrations in honor of the Virgin who is Mexico’s saint patroness on December 12th. The most important event related to this time is the pilgrimage to her basilica in the north of Mexico City, with people coming to pay respects by any means of transport. 

• Pastorelas: An approximate translation would be “shepherds’ plays”. These are theatrical works done by both amateur and professional groups during the Christmas season. Pastorelas are frequently played at schools where children and adults participate. These representations were originally developed in the early colonial period as a didactic tool to teach the Christmas story. 

• Posadas: from December 16th to 24th there are a series of representations called Las Posadas (from the word for “inn”), which symbolize the nine-day pilgrimage of the holy Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph until the day Jesus is born. The tradition was started by Spanish evangelists to teach the Christmas story to the indigenous people and to substitute the rituals related to the birth of the pagan god Huitzilopochtli. 

• Christmas Eve/Day: The last posada is early Christmas Eve. What follows is a late night mass called the Mass of the Rooster. It originated about six years after the arrival of the Spanish, when Father Pedro de Gante began a celebration of Christmas with a late night mass. The name comes from the tradition that the birth of Christ was announced by the crowing of a rooster. Following this mass, there is a traditional midnight feast where families can eat turkey, codfish or pork. The rest of Christmas Day, meaning the 25th, is quiet as families recuperate from the festivities of the night before, often eating leftovers from the midnight dinner.

• New Year’s Eve: It falls during this time as well. It is celebrated much like the rest of the world with some exceptions. One notable tradition is the eating of twelve grapes rapidly along with the twelve chimes of the clock at midnight to bring luck for each of the months of the coming year. 

• Día de Reyes (Three Wise Men): The next major event in the Christmas season is Epiphany called Día de Reyes. This day celebrates when the Three Wise Men arrived to visit the child Jesus bearing gifts. On the night of January 5th, children traditionally write down a letter to wise men, leaving it next to the Christmas tree. 

As you can see, just like the post "Day of the Dead", Christmas is a fusion resulting from indigenous roots, the influence of the Catholic religion and more recently, the American and European influence. Despite all this recent external influence, I am really proud to see how our traditions are still preserved. More important is that Christmas is still a period of peace of life, a time to spend with family and friends. 

Christmas Tree in Mexico City Main Square 

Images provided by author.