History of Christmas in Mexico
The history of Christmas in Mexico is interesting. It was during the legendary age of discovery that the Church started sending missions to all American colonies to spread Christianity. It was sometime in the 1500's when a Spanish priest introduced Christianity to the local people. Initially the colonial settlers celebrated the feast but over the years Mexicans adopted the faith and started celebrating X Mas. Many traditions today are an amalgamation of Spanish legacy with ancient Mexican traditions.
Americanization has brought about a subtle change in celebrations. The €Christmas Tree' seems to have become the centre piece in every home instead of the traditional Mexican concept of creating a native scene. There was a time when every home would create some form of Nativity depiction to mark Yuletide. In fact it was the single most important Navidad decoration.
History of the Nativity Scene
In the olden days people would create a small tableau with hay and toys to recreate the stable where the lord was born. Clay models of Virgn Mary, Joseph, shepherds and farm animals were and are still used to complete the picture. People used stars and toys to depict the Magi. According to tradition the manger was left empty till midnight on Christmas Eve. The idea is to place baby Jesus in the crib at the exact time he was supposed to have been born.
The first such tableau was made about 800 years ago by the great St. Francis of Assisi. He was the one who founded the Franciscan order. The tradition of making cribs with hay and twigs spread to parts of Italy, Europe and over the years to different parts of the world.
When the Spanish came to Mexico the priests used the Nativity scene as an important way to educate the people about the birth of Christ and associated concepts. It was a graphic way of communicating with a people whose language was so different. Over the years these tableaus took central part in Christmas festivities in Mexico.
Modern cribs feature clay figures of bakers, postmen, water boys and other local community helpers. People also add figures of animals and potted plants to complete the scene.
In case you are planning a Yuletide vacation to Mexico be sure to keep an eye out for Nativity scenes on public display. These attractive displays bring home the message of Christmas. Large churches and popular public areas put up huge Nativity Scenes.
Posadas
Nine days before Christmas Eve Mexicans come out on the streets in processions singing carols. Participants are generally dressed up as Joseph, Mary, shepherds and farm animals. They sing praises of the lord and visit homes asking for shelter, just as Joseph did! The idea is to recreate the time and space when the lord was born. There is a designated house in the neighborhood that accepts the couple in, after they've been rejected by the other homes. The home that allows the members of the procession in offers fruit punch and delicacies to mark the fest. Each of the nine days end such with a party in a local house! The breaking of the Pinata and giving away of dry fruits is an important tradition.
Americanization has brought about a subtle change in celebrations. The €Christmas Tree' seems to have become the centre piece in every home instead of the traditional Mexican concept of creating a native scene. There was a time when every home would create some form of Nativity depiction to mark Yuletide. In fact it was the single most important Navidad decoration.
History of the Nativity Scene
In the olden days people would create a small tableau with hay and toys to recreate the stable where the lord was born. Clay models of Virgn Mary, Joseph, shepherds and farm animals were and are still used to complete the picture. People used stars and toys to depict the Magi. According to tradition the manger was left empty till midnight on Christmas Eve. The idea is to place baby Jesus in the crib at the exact time he was supposed to have been born.
The first such tableau was made about 800 years ago by the great St. Francis of Assisi. He was the one who founded the Franciscan order. The tradition of making cribs with hay and twigs spread to parts of Italy, Europe and over the years to different parts of the world.
When the Spanish came to Mexico the priests used the Nativity scene as an important way to educate the people about the birth of Christ and associated concepts. It was a graphic way of communicating with a people whose language was so different. Over the years these tableaus took central part in Christmas festivities in Mexico.
Modern cribs feature clay figures of bakers, postmen, water boys and other local community helpers. People also add figures of animals and potted plants to complete the scene.
In case you are planning a Yuletide vacation to Mexico be sure to keep an eye out for Nativity scenes on public display. These attractive displays bring home the message of Christmas. Large churches and popular public areas put up huge Nativity Scenes.
Posadas
Nine days before Christmas Eve Mexicans come out on the streets in processions singing carols. Participants are generally dressed up as Joseph, Mary, shepherds and farm animals. They sing praises of the lord and visit homes asking for shelter, just as Joseph did! The idea is to recreate the time and space when the lord was born. There is a designated house in the neighborhood that accepts the couple in, after they've been rejected by the other homes. The home that allows the members of the procession in offers fruit punch and delicacies to mark the fest. Each of the nine days end such with a party in a local house! The breaking of the Pinata and giving away of dry fruits is an important tradition.
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