CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO

Posadas Celebration

• In Mexico, the most cherished custom is the Posadas. Posadas, which means lodging, is the name given to the nine days of celebration before Navidad, which is Christmas Day.

Why The Posadas Celebration?

• The Posadas celebration commemorates the journey of

Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for lodging each night.

The Search for Lodging

• Each child is provided with a candle which is lit as the children form a line and slowly begin to parade down the streets. At the head of this procession, two children carry small figures of the Holy Family. As they approach each house they are turned away until they come to the home with the replica of the stable at Bethlehem. There they arrange the figures, placing the Christ Child in the manger, just at midnight.

The Crèche

• The Mexicans pray before the crèche, which is a miniature representation of the stable in which Jesus was born.

The Piñata

• After prayers before the crèche, there is the breaking of the piñata. Once the piñata is broken, children scramble for the gifts and candy that spill from inside. Fireworks are then set off in celebration.

The Day of the Wise Men

• The children of Mexico receive their gifts on January 6. This is known as the “Day of the Wise Men.” Also, instead of hanging stockings, the children put their shoes out for the Wise Men to fill with toys.