Mexican Christmas and Dia De Reyes
Three Wise Men, The Magi, Bring Children Christmas Gifts in January
Nov 18, 2008
In Mexico, Christmas (Navidad) is a religious observance which begins with the Posadas, nine days before Christmas Eve, which is the holy night, or Noche Buena. The Posadas are meant to honor the nine days that Joseph and Mary spent looking for lodging.
Mexican Christmas Traditions, for Navidad (Christmas)
To celebrate Posadas, families will spend the nine days before Noche Buena visiting each other's homes and hosting guests in their home. Each home has a nativity scene, and there is a ritual upon arriving at each home, meant to emulate the arrival of Mary and Joseph on their pilgrimage to Bethlehem. Over the course of the evening, they pray the Rosary and sing songs. The children enjoy a pinata with fruit, nuts and, rarely, wrapped candies. Adults enjoy merriment, a feast and usually alcoholic beverages.
At midnight on Christmas Eve, families in Mexico go to church for Midnight Mass and then return to their homes. They have dinner with family, welcoming friends without families into their homes, and then place the baby Jesus into the manger of their nativity scene.
Christmas Gifts
Families in Mexico do not give children Christmas gifts on Christmas Day. After Christmas, on New Year's Eve, there is another midnight mass, to thank God for all of the blessings received through the year. On January 6th Mexicans celebrate El Dia De Reyes, also called The Day of the Kings, or Three Kings Day, or Wise Men Day.
Three Wise Men; The Magi
After Jesus was born, the wise men, the magi, followed the star to Bethlehem and brought gifts. Each magi brings children Christmas gifts, and they're placed in their shoe. The wise men figurines are added to the nativity scene on this day.
Like children in the USA, children in Mexico often spend all day playing with their new toys while the adults prepare a meal. In Mexico, this meal is called Merienda de Reyes, and it celebrates the Epiphany. Bakeries sell Rosca de Reyes, special breads with little ceramic babies baked inside. Whoever gets the baby in their piece is the guardian or god parent of the Baby Jesus and has a special part to play in Candelaria, which takes place February 2nd.
Celebrating Candelaria
On Candelaria, the nativity scene is put away and whoever is the guardian of the baby hosts a party. That person must make a christening gown for baby Jesus and prepare tamales for the feast.
Celebrating Christmas in Mexico takes nearly a month, and is filled with many feasts and plenty of opportunities to visit with friends and family. Instead of Santa Claus bringing several presents, like in the US, the Wise Men bring presents to children, just like they did for baby Jesus. December holidays are a great way to learn about other cultures.
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