Christmas in Mexico

Nov 10, 2018 | Mazatlan News, Stories make the Best Souvenirs, Things to Do in Mazatlan, Uncategorized

The term Christmas from the latin “Nativitas” meaning Birth, represents for some churches and congregations the date where it commemorates the birth of the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem, on December 25.

This celebration involves traditions that are shared by adults and children and here we present you some of them.

Christmas Posadas

The Christmas Posadas are holidays that are intended to prepare us to receive Jesus into our hearts and remember the moments that Joseph and Mary spent before his birth; they begin on December 16 and end on the 24th.

The sense of them was instilled in our country with the arrival of the Spanish missionaries who decided to give a Christian meaning to the celebrations that our ancestors (Aztecs) celebrated at that time.

According to tradition the Christmas Posadas are made on the street, which is adorned with typical colored paper flags. All the neighbors offer a dish to share and they are organized in two groups, the first one will represent the pilgrims who will go house to house asking for posada who should sing a litany and the second are those who will be inside their house to answer the songs and at the end to give posada. Some communities usually pray at the end a Rosary and distribute a basket with collation (sweets, fruits and other prizes) to later break the piñatas and taste the banquet.

Remember that during the celebration you can’t miss the sparklers.

Christmas Eve dinner

On December 24 on Christmas Eve is a tradition that families come together to share a great banquet where you can’t miss the stuffed turkey, cod, romeritos, Christmas salad, buñuelos, churros and punch, which are very typical dishes in Mexico.

Piñatas

Colorful, happy and full of collation, the Christmas piñatas must have a star shape with 7 peaks, each of which symbolizes a capital sin.

The piñata is hit with a stick that represents the strength to fight against temptations and must be performed with the eyes covered symbol of blind faith. Meanwhile, all around sing: “Give it, give it, give it, and don’t lose your sense, because if you lose it, you lose the way.” You gave it one, you gave it two, you gave it three, and your time is over. One, Two, Three!”. Do not forget to collect as many sweets as it is one of the most fun parts of the night.

Birth

Beyond the traditional Christmas tree, in the Mexican homes can’t miss the “Birth”, also called cribs and nativity scenes.

Its tradition goes back to the times of Saint Francis of Assisi who was the first to install a living nativity to exemplify the birth of Jesus.

Births can be found in different sizes, shapes and materials. In our days many Mexican towns make crafts for it, as for example: Angels of Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan; Clay figures from Ameyaltepec, Guerrero or polychrome births from Tlaquepaque, Jalisco.

For all these traditions, the Christmas season is one of the most awaited celebrations by children and adults where the spirit of conciliation, respect, harmony and love are those that prevail in it.

No matter how you celebrate it, just do not forget to do it surrounded by the beings you love most. And if you still do not know where to spend Christmas, Hotel Playa Mazatlan offers you this option –> This Christmas Day Surprise your Family in Hotel Playa Mazatlan

Merry Christmas wishes you Hotel Playa Mazatlan!