Dec. 18, 2007 - December Field trip - christmas in Mexico
While people in the US try to eek out a real Christmas amidst the staggering consumerism and pagan elements that have infiltrated our celebration (JMHO), in Latin America the focus of the celebration is the Christ child.
In Mexico a celebration called Las Posadas begins the night of December 16th. A group of people form a procession carrying statues of Mary, Joseph, an angel, and candles. The procession may include people dressed as the three kings, shepherds, and there may well be a burro in the group. They go from house to house singing traditional Christmas songs, and asking at each house if there is room at the inn for them. There are even traditional songs that the people in the house sing in reply, denying them entry! Here is a link to a translation of a traditional posadas song.
They make their way around the neighborhood, seeking shelter in an inn, with more neighbors joining them as they go from house to house. Finally they reach a home that will take them in, and here is where the real fun begins! Not only are Mary and Joseph invited in, but the whole neighborhood comes in for a party. Part of this celebration involves a piñata for the kids.
Another tradition is Las Pastorales, which resemble our Christmas pageants, and reenact the Christmas story. A fun aspect of Las Pastorales is that the shepherds have many funny misadventures on their way to find baby Jesus. These pageants tend to be light-hearted, and can be very original.
On Christmas Eve, most families go to a late mass called El Miso del Gallo (Rooster's mass). After service, everyone returns home for a feast of tamales. Another traditional dish is Biscayan salt cod. Hearty portions are made, because everyone will be eating leftovers tomorrow! There is punch and sparkling cider for a special holiday toast (el brindis). This gifts are opened, and the kids play with sparklers - las luces de Belén - the lights of Bethleham.
Children, by the way, write out their Christmas list to El Niño Dios - The Christ child. In most homes, just the children get gifts, and not nearly as many as American kids get! Many in the Spanish speaking world also celebrate Epiphany on January 6th, on which they get more gifts from the Three Kings - Los Reyes Magos.
The holiday spirit lives on after Christmas, and December 28th, El Día de los Santos Inocentes is celebrated. It is much like our April Fool's day. Pranks and jokes can get pretty elaborate that day!
Comments
Dec. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
I am glad to have found you. I am looking forward to doing Spanish next year. Right now the kids listen to the Muzzy spanish videos and we watch our regular dvd's in spanish a few times a week so they will get used to the sound of the language. I look forward to becoming more intense soon. Thanks for this great blog.
Blessings,
4sweetums
