Mexican-American Christmas Traditions

Mexican-American Christmas Traditions By: KATHERyNE Sarmiento

Many of the Mexican Christmas traditions are closely tied to the Catholic Church.

In Mexico, Christmas is typically celebrated from The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12th) to King's Day (January 6th).

Las Posadas

Las Posadas are a representation of the Virgin Mary looking for shelter (posada) where Baby Jesus could be born.

Poinsettias/Noche Buenas

Poinsettia flowers are known as 'nochebuena' (which means Christmas Eve)in Mexico.

Nacimiento/Nativity Scene

Even Christmas Trees are very common, the Nacimiento (nativity scene) is still considered the most important christmas decoration.

A Nacimiento typically includes Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the Shepherds, the Three Kings and farm animals. Traditionally made of clay, baby Jesus is not displayed until Christmas Day and the Three Kings are displayed on the evening of January the 5th.

Santa Claus

While Santa Claus is an American tradition, many Mexican American families have incorporated Santa into their Christmas family traditions. More and more, Santa Claus is becoming widely known in Mexico.

Food

Tamales of many kinds, pozole, champurrado, and bunuelos are some of the most common Mexican foods enjoyed during the holidays.

Dia De Los Reyes Magos/Three Kings Day

Dia de los Reyes represents the Three Kings traveling from afar to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Traditionally, this is the day that Mexican children receive gifts.

Rosca De Reyes/Three Kings cake

Rosca de Reyes is served on Dia de los Reyes MAgos. Whoever finds the figure of Baby Jesus hidden in their piece of cake hosts the Candelaria on February 2nd, marking the end of the Christmas season.

Many children leave their shoes near a window sill or a door. It is said that the Three Kings will leave a gift for children as they pass by on their way to Bethlehem.

Dia de la Candelaria

On February 2nd, many Mexicans go to church to have their Christ child figures blessed. From there a celebration is hosted by the person who got the baby Jesus figure in their slice of cake on Three Kings Day.

Music

A lot of the music sung today during the holidays are the same music from generations past.

To learn more about Mexican American Christmas Traditions go to:

http://gomexico.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/kings_day.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/06/three-kings-day-celebration-history-and-traditions-behind-el-dia-de-los-reyes_n_2412379.html

Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by bud ellison - from the street - "Feliz Navidad" • agencja.zajac - "Catholic church payer" • Muffet - "poinsettias" • Mr Conguito - "Presépio 3" • Alexas_Fotos - "christmas crib figures christmas arts crafts" • lynnylchan - "Christmas 2013-94" • jeffweese - "Nativity" • gurdonark - "Nativity" • karenwarfel - "santa claus merry christmas" • iotae - "Shiny Tamales" • kimberlykv - "Champurrado" • henrivzq - "Buñuelos, centro de Oaxaca." • Vuarnet - "A cenar, pozole!!! :)" • eekim - "Folding the Tamale" • M. Martin Vicente - "Figuras artesanas para el belén" • Keith Williamson - "El Roscon Project 365 Day 339" • annegordon - "slippers footwear sport" • Catedrales e Iglesias - "Ex Convento Nuestra Señora del Carmen,Alvaro Obregón,Ciudad de México" • feworave - "advent christmas candle"

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Mexican-American Christmas Traditions By: KATHERyNE Sarmiento

Rosca De Reyes/Three Kings cake

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