Christmas  in Mexico

Christmas is celebrated by a series of posadas which in English means “inns.” This is in reference to the search of finding lodgings that Mary and Joseph had to do when they were in Bethlehem. La posadas is a traditional Mexican celebration that is celebrated from the December 16th all the way to up to Christmas Eve. As a way to prepare, markets and vendors sell biblical figures to go along with elaborate stagings of the nativity scene in homes and churches. During the week of the posadas, each night is celebrated at a different home with the gathering of friends and family. Once it becomes dark, a procession begins led by two children carrying figurines of Mary and Joseph. During the procession, everyone is singing litanies and holding candles. Once they are done singing and arrive at the designated house, they begin to sing for lodgings. When they finish singing, the celebration begins and everyone is let inside of the house.

Nativity scenes are common in Mexican households. It is a form of veneration and an act of thanksgiving for all that has happened in the past year and what is going to come. Nativity scenes and biblical figures are sold in markets all over Mexico. These scenes can be related to a form of ritual pottery. Ritual pottery is special objects that are made for important holidays and are decorated beautifully and with the utmost respect. In most nativity scenes, there is a syncretic fusion of indigenous beliefs and Spanish Catholicism. For example, the figures themselves are wearing the traditional robes that are normally depicted, but the appearance of the figures themselves are more closely to indigenous features. This particular nativity scene  created by Josefina Aguilar is a brilliant example of this fusion of Spanish religion and indigenous culture.

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