Catholic Christmas
Description:
In the last two weeks of December, many Mexicans are out of work. They stay at home, spend time with their families, convene guests, visit friends. Christmas is one of the most important holidays for them.
The celebration of Christmas begins with the so-called las Posadas – on December 16, processions led by “Mary” and “Joseph” appear on the streets of cities in search of a place to sleep. They are accompanied by local children, dressed in colorful, sewn in hand suits. Children knock on the doors of houses and ask for a “married couple”. Passers-by join this procession, and thus, increasing in number, the crowd moves to the local church where mass is held.
Everywhere, both professional actors and amateurs play Pastorelas (shepherds' games) - traditional, often improvised, theatrical productions, telling how an angel appeared to the shepherds and brought the news of the birth of Christ and their journey to Bethlehem, full of dangers and devilish temptations.
Mexican Christmas is not complete without a Christmas tree decorated with balls and garlands. But since real pine can not afford many, it is replaced by an artificial tree - arbolito.
By the way, Santa Claus in a deer sled and with a bag of gifts, does not appear in the celebration of Christmas in Mexico.
The evening of December 24 is the time of the traditional Christmas dinner: tamale, atole and other local dishes. The most exotic meal may include, for example, Biscayese cod (bacalao a la vizcaína). But roasted turkey, ham or pinched pig, familiar to Europeans, in Mexico is the lot of only those who can afford it.
Ponche (hot fruit punch), cider (carbonated cider) and other drinks are served at the table.
It is time to open the presents. This usually takes a lot of time, and serves as fun entertainment for the whole family, especially for children.
And December 25, as usual, in many Mexican families is held under the sign of home gatherings and rest in the circle of relatives and friends.