Christmas traditions
Christmas traditions vary from country to country. Christmas celebrations for many nations include the installing and lighting of Christmas trees, the hanging of Advent wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy canes, setting out cookies and milk, and the creation of Nativity scenes depicting the birth of …
Do you know the Mexican tradition of pastorela?
One of the most beautiful Mexican traditions at Christmastime is the Pastorela. A Pastorela is a play performed around Christmas that recreates the nativity scene from the bible and the birth of baby Jesus. Children from around Mexico participate in Pastorelas by acting, singing, and dancing. Do you know where this tradition comes from?
What is pastorelas?
Pastorelas are plays that recreate the biblical passage where the shepherds follow the Star of Bethlehem to find the Christ Child. In order to reach the birth place of the Redeemer, they have to experience a series of changes in fortune and confront the Devil, who will do everything possible to prevent them from completing their mission.
Why do we celebrate pastorelas?
Whether in remote towns or in the big Mexican cities, pastorelas set the stage for the whole of December and leave us, through their playful language and funny situations, the most important message of the season: Good always overcomes Evil.
What is a pastorela poem?
The pastorela ( Old Occitan [pastuˈɾɛla], "little/young shepherdess") was an Occitan lyric genre used by the troubadours. It gave rise to the Old French pastourelle. The central topic was always the meeting of a knight with a shepherdess, which could lead to any of a number of possible conclusions.
What is the meaning of the pastorelas?
The pastorela (Old Occitan [pastuˈɾɛla], "little/young shepherdess") was an Occitan lyric genre used by the troubadours. It gave rise to the Old French pastourelle. The central topic was always the meeting of a knight with a shepherdess, which could lead to any of a number of possible conclusions.
What was the purpose of pastorelas in the past?
These plays were used as a tool by the Franciscan monks to indoctrinate the native peoples of the Americas to Christianity in the 16th Century. Today, pastorelas are also used to describe and convey modern world issues such as immigration, socio-economic disparity, and even fake news.
Where did Las pastorelas originate?
The pastorela tradition is said to have begun in a little town called Acolman, a short distance from the Teotihuacan pyramids, where the Franciscans arrived in 1528. Other versions say that Cuernavaca, i n the State of Morelos, was the birth place of this deep-rooted tradition.
What are Mexico's Christmas traditions?
There are candle-lit processions, elaborate nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols, dancing and fireworks. While traditions like Christmas trees and Santa Claus have found a place in Mexican festivities, the holiday celebrations are firmly rooted in Spanish and indigenous culture.
How did Pastorelas help spread Christianity in Mexico?
The religious purpose was to propagate the Christian faith by instructing illiterate peasants in the Christmas story. From Italy, the custom of Nativity scenes spread around the world. In Mexico the tradition developed with a uniquely Mexican flavor.
How is Christmas Eve celebrated in Mexico?
Most Mexicans attend church masses (Misa de Gallo) and come home to family dinners. Typical meals include Christmas Eve salad (ensalada de Noche Buena), wrapped cornmeal dumplings (tamales), and dried salted codfish (bacalao).
What is the most important decoration in Mexico for Christmas?
The Nochebuena (poinsettia) is native to Mexico and is widely used as a decoration during Christmas time.
What did the Aztecs celebrate between the 7th and 26th of December?
This beautiful tradition of the Posadas comes from the times of the Colonial period, but it is interesting to note that before the Conquest the Aztecs celebrated every year the arrival of the god Huitzilopochtli, between the 7th and the 26th of December.
What are Nacimientos in Mexico?
A Nacimiento is a Mexican/Hispanic tradition where a nativity scene representing the birth of Jesus Christ is placed at the center of the home.
What is the most popular tradition in Mexico?
Top 5 Mexican Traditions You Have to Experience! Semana Santa (Holy Week) – Between March and April. Cinco de Mayo. Día De La Independencia (Independence Day) - September 16. Día de Muertos (Day of The Dead) – October 31 to November 2. The Traditional Pilgrimage to The Virgin of Guadalupe – December 12.
What is Santa called in Mexico?
Spanish: Papa Noel (lit. While in countries like Mexico and Venezuela, presents might also be brought by El Niñito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus).
What are 10 Christmas traditions in Mexico?
Christmas Traditions In MexicoLas Posadas. The first thing you need to understand about Christmas traditions in Mexico is the tradition of posadas. ... Nativity Scenes. ... Piñatas. ... Ponche and Rompope. ... Dia de Los Reyes. ... Rosca de Reyes. ... Candlemas. ... 7 Interesting Facts about Cancun.More items...•