Navidad en Mexica

Since Mexico is a mainly a Catholic country, Christmas there revolves around the birth of Christ, or "El Niño Jesús." The festivities and traditions bear little resemblance to ours in America. Santa Claus and Christmas trees aren't a big deal-except perhaps in the larger cities. The focus is religious. It's one of the major fiestas of the year and just about everyone takes off the last two weeks of December to spend time with their families.

The Christmas season jumps into gear on December 16, with Las Posadas - nine days in a row of candlelight processions and parties. After sunset each night, in villages, towns and cities throughout the country, children gather to reenact Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. The procession is led by a young Virgin Mary, often on top of a live burro, with a tiny Joseph at her side. They're followed by children dressed as angels, The Three Kings or "Reyes Magos" and an assortment of shepherds and livestock. Singing traditional Christmas hymns and carrying candles, they proceed to the first designated house, where they plead to be admitted. They are turned away. They're refused admittance at the second home as well. At the third home, they are told that while there is no room for them in the inn, they are welcome to take shelter in the stable. At this point, the doors are thrown open and the children are bid a jubilant welcome. Everyone kneels around a manger scene, or "Nacimiento." Prayers and songs are offered in thanks to God.

Immediately after this in every Posada, is the time of the "Piñata or Pinata," a papier maché container filled with candy and toys. It's hung from a tree or from the ceiling, and one at a time, the children are blindfolded spun around and given turns to try smashing the Piñata open. When it breaks, goodies scatter to the ground and the kids dive in, scooping up as many as they can.

At midnight on Christmas Eve or "Noche Buena," the birth of Christ is celebrated with fire works, ringing of church bells and blowing of whistles. After the final Posada procession, the people go into the churches to attend the Mass of the Rooster or "Misa de Gallo." Afterward, families head home for an exotic Christmas feast of dishes like tamales, rice, chiles rellenos, menudo or roast pig or turkey, along with hot fruit or cider punches and spirits such as rompope. They gather around their personal nativity scene, or "Nacimiento" a reenaction of the stable where Jesus was born, complete with Mary, Joseph, the baby in the manger, angels, the Magi or "Los Reyes Magos, the ox and donkey, shepherds and their flocks and even a serpent representing the forces of evil lurking in the shadows. The nativity scene is constructed with loving care throughout the days preceding Christmas Eve, and is not completed until that night. It is here that each family prays and celebrates the miracle of Christ's birth. The evening ends with the opening of gifts, another Piñata and sparklers for the kids. Concluding the tradition, Christmas Day is usually a day of rest after festivities in Mexico.