Christmas Posada

Approved by:
Paige Master, Gainesville Weddings in Gainesville Florida

Christmas in MexicoChristmas in Mexico?  How is it known?  La Posada is the way Mexican’s have fun Christmas. 

Christmas was a custom brought to the region by Spaniards.  Prior to the immigration of settlers to the area, there had been Mayan and Azteca communities that held their own winter season celebrations.  With the fall of the Azteca empire, came the migration of Roman Catholic Priests who started instructing the natives of the area the faith of Catholicism. 

The classic ornament in the Mexican family is the Natividad or nativity.  A lot houses will have a scene with the manger, Joseph or José, the Virgin Mary or La Virgen María, the child Jesus, the manger animals and the three wise men or Los Tres Magos or Tres Reyes.  As time has gone by Mexicans have assimilated the practices of their northern neighbors. There are now decorated trees and presents which had been beforehand not a aspect of the practices of Mexico.

An essential element of Mexican Christmas celebrations are the Posadas.  In accordance to the custom, a group of participants reenacts the pilgrimage of the holy family returning to Bethlehem for the census ordered by King Herod. In this reenactment Los Peregrinos, San José and la Virgen María or the Pilgrims,  Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary are depicted by two statues, transported by the participants.  These statues are carried to three prearranged homes each evening where the celebrants will ask the household to supply shelter for the family. The participants will be refused at the first two homes to depict the refusal that the Holy Family experienced, in accordance to the Bible. At the third and final house, the celebrants will be admitted and the celebrants traditionally would enter and hold a Novena.  A Novena is the praying of the rosary, which is a traditional Catholic prayer.  The participants of the procession will all hold wax lights for the ceremony.  After the prayers there follows a celebration in which the young children get to break a Piñata stuffed with treats and the parents will celebrate with a punch created with fresh fruit juices, spices and booze and something to eat as is the tradition of any Mexican get together. The nine nights before Christmas, December 16 to 24, are when Posadas are held.

The last day of the Posada is followed by La Noche Buena or the good night, in which all who celebrate Christmas celebrate the night of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Misa de Noche Buena or Midnight Mass is attended by family members.  After the mass, the household, and close friends of the family, return to one of the family’s houses and celebrate with a huge feast prepared by all.  Gifts are exchanged.  Typically, presents are not exchanged on Christmas Day as this day is reserved for the celebration of the birth of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Though the conventiona days celebrated by Mexicans for Christmas may seem to follow the traditional calendar of the Catholic Church, the method and spirit in which these days are celebrated are quite Distinctive to Anglos.  The heart of the holiday stubbornly maintains its focus on the true meaning of the season as opposed to the commercialization of the holiday. 

However, in spite of traditio, commercialization is winning out.  Before the end of October, lights and decorations for the holiday appear in the stores.  Youngsters are creating their letters to Santa.  Special departments and entire short-term constructions full of toys are evident.  Whether visiting Los Cabos as a vacationer or shopping with Cabo Real Estate for a place in paradise, one cannot help but be caught up in the excitement of Christmas.  Traditional and modern day celebrations combine to generate Christmas in Mexico an event not to be missed.

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