How to celebrate Christmas in Mexico
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Homes are filled with stockings, trees, and holiday cheer. Everyone is preparing for the one of the biggest holidays of the year—Christmas. Across the world, family and loved ones celebrate this special holiday. Mexico celebrates the holiday with special traditions, which last from mid-December to January! The celebration is filled with nativity reenactments, festivals, traditions, and more. Learn how to celebrate Christmas in Mexico if you’re planning a visit this holiday season.
How was Christmas introduced to Mexico?
The Spaniards arrived in present day Mexico in the 16th century. During the winter, the Indigenous Aztecs would commemorate the birth of their patron god, Huitzilopochtli. The Spaniards celebrated Christmas at the same time, meshing the two celebrations together. With time, Christmas celebrations and traditions eventually became more popular in Mexican culture.
Christmas in Mexico is an extensive, and joyous holiday season. If you have family members in Mexico, help them partake in holiday festivities without breaking the bank. You can transfer USD to MXN online with Western Union to send money for the holidays.
What are Mexico’s Christmas traditions?
Here are some popular festivities you can explore when you’re celebrating Christmas in Mexico:
Posadas
Las Posadas is a religious festival celebrated from December 16th to 24th. The festival honors Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. Mary and Joseph searched for a place to stay in Bethlehem, but to no avail. Mary eventually found shelter in a stable where she gave birth. To commemorate the journey, towns relive the event. A small child dressed as an angel leads a procession in a town. Children accompany the “angel,” dressed in silver and gold robes, carrying lit candles, and images of Mary and Joseph. The group processes through the town, asking homes for lodging for Mary and Joseph. The homes typically refuse lodging, although they may offer refreshments and carols.
Nacimientos
Nacimientos are clay figurines depicting the birth of Jesus. These figurines are present in households and include the people (and animals) present at his immaculate conception. Jesus’s mother, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, shepherds, angels, their sheep, and other animals are present in the scene. Baby Jesus also has a figurine. But there’s a Christmas tradition to wait to place Jesus into the nativity scene until midnight on December 24th.
Pastorelas
Pastorelas are comedic plays that depict characters eventually witness the birth of Jesus. Characters overcome tribulations and temptations with the help of angels. At the end of their trials, they witness the birth of Jesus and enjoy a lovely Christmas.
Villancicos
Villancicos, originally known as a Spanish poetic and musical form, are religious Christmas carols sung during the Christmas season. Villancicos are a notable component of the cultural diffusion from the Spaniards. There are unique Mexican Christmas carols and translated versions of English Christmas songs. Villancicos are performed with instruments present in traditional Mexican music, such as the jawbone and descendants of the Spanish guitar (jaranas, requinto, leona, and huapanguera guitars).
Día de Los Reyes
Día de Los Reyes honors the three wise men who brought frankincense, myrrh, and gold to the newborn Jesus. Día de Los Reyes is celebrated on January 6th. Children receive gifts from the “Three Kings.” Families serve Rosca de Reyes, or King’s Cake, made in the shape of a crown, with a small doll inside representing baby Jesus. When the cake is served, the person who receives a slice with the doll hosts a party for El Día de la Calendaria, or the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ. This gift giving holiday closes out the extensive Christmas season in Mexico.
If you are visiting family members in Mexico for the Christmas holiday, you can send money to Mexico with Western Union. Money can be sent directly with the Western Union app or online. If your receiver prefers to pick up their money in person, they can visit an agent location. Send money to loved ones in Mexico for the Christmas season.
