For Mexicans, especially those in traditional homes and rural areas, Christmas is a religious holiday.

It is a celebration of the Nativity - the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to prepare for this day of symbolic commemoration, we have the "Posadas". These celebrations happen during the "Novena" or the nine days before the 24th of December which is called "Noche Buena" or "Holy Night". 

The Posadas are a reenactment of St. Joseph's and the Virgin Mary's search for lodging when they traveled to Bethlehem for the Census.  In Spanish we called them: "Los Peregrinos, San José y la Virgen María". Each family in a neighborhood, will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th - Noche Buena. 

Every home will have a Nativity scene. The hosts of the home are the innkeepers, and the neighborhood children and adults are Los Peregrinos, who have to request lodging through singing a simple chant. All carry small lit candles in their hands and four teenagers of about the same height are chosen to carry Los Peregrinos, which are two small statues of St. Joseph leading a donkey, which the Virgen Mary is riding sidesaddle. The head of the procession will have a candle inside of a paper lamp shade that looks like an accordion but opens at the top and is called a "Farolito" or little lantern.

The Peregrinos will ask for lodging in three different houses but only the third one will allow them in. That will be the house that is supposed to have the Posada for that evening. Once the innkeepers let them in, the group of guests comes into the home and kneels around the Nativity scene to pray the Rosary. The Rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer, which consists of the following prayers: 50 Hail Mary, 5 Our Father , 5 Glory and the Litany, which is a series of Praises for the Virgin Mary.  They will also  sing  traditional songs like "Silent Night" - in Spanish of course! 

After all the prayers are done, then comes the party for the children.There will be a Piñata, (pronounced peenyata, for it has an ñ instead of an n), filled with unshelled peanuts, oranges, tangerines, sugar canes, and some wrapped hard candy. Of course, the children will chant the Piñata Song while another child is blindfolded to try to break the Piñata with a stick.

Although the Piñata was originally from Italy, it has become a Mexican tradition for celebrations where there are children involved. The Piñata was originally made out of a clay pot and decorated with crepe paper in different colors. Today's piñatas are made out of cardboard and paper mache techniques and decorated with crepe paper. This change was made to prevent the children from cutting their hands on the sharp clay pieces when going for the fruit and candy when the Piñata was broken. There are all kinds of designs but the traditional design is a seven pointed star.

For the adults there is always "Ponche con Piquete"(sting), which is a hot beverage or "Punch" made out of seasonal fruits and cinnamon sticks, with a shot of alcoholic spirit. A good substitute here in Ohio is hot apple cider with fruits, without the "spirits".

On Noche Buena, December 24, everybody goes to Misa (Mass) de Noche Buena which is at midnight. After the Mass, everyone goes to their respective homes to have dinner with their family. Any friend who does not have a family is always invited to be part of some family's celebration. During this part of the celebration, the most important event of all is the placing of the Baby Jesus in the manger in the Nativity scene.

The presents are not received on Christmas, for Christmas is a celebration of the Life of Our Savior.

On New Year's Eve, there is a Misa de Gallo, (Rooster's Mass) that takes place at midnight also. Some families go to church early to give thanks for all the blessings received during the year.

The children's celebration for receiving presents is not until January 6th, "el día de Reyes", the Day of the Three Kings, or Wise Men Day. Because it was the Magi who brought the presents to the Baby Jesus, they are the ones who bring the toys to the boys and girls who have been good. The children place their shoes by the window, so the Magi can place their present in the shoe. If the present is bigger than the shoe, it will be placed next to it. Many children get a new pair of shoes for a present. 

El dia de Reyes is celebrated with a "Merienda" consisting of hot chocolate and "The Rosca de Reyes". A merienda is a meal that takes place any time between 5 pm and 7 pm.  It is not a heavy meal but the equivalent of "High Tea". 

The Rosca de Reyes is a big oval wreath made out of egg bread (like an egg bagel, but huge) with dry fruit decorations and sprinkled sugar on top, but inside, there is a little ceramic doll which represents the Baby Jesus. The person who gets the piece of bread with the Baby, must be the Godparent of the Baby Jesus in the celebration of the Candelaria, on February 2nd. 

"El dia de la Candelaria" is the day of the Candle or Light, known as the Day of Purification. That day, the Nativity scene is finally put away with a party given by the person who got the Baby Jesus in his/her piece of bread during the Rosca de Reyes celebration. He or she will be responsible for making a "Ropon" or christening gown for Baby Jesus. Generally, they have a dinner with Tamales (Tamales are corn bread filled with meats in a sauce or raisins wrapped in corn husks).

Lately, these traditions have been modified. For example, the Posadas are now nine parties that are celebrated in the homes of different friends before Christmas. Also, some (mostly among the afluent people) now celebrate Christmas the American style, with Santa Claus, presents on Christmas Eve, etc. Others take trips to ski resorts in the United States or Europe, or travel to tourist places within Mexico. 

All the educational institutions are on vacation during the holidays. They do not go back to school until after January 6th. Also, the government offices and the other institutions connected with the government close during those two weeks.

As you can see, Christmas in Mexico is a long and joyful celebration!

*The information presented here has been modified from www.nacnet.org/assunta/nacimnto.htm and may also be found there, minus my own translations.