Navidad en México

En México, la Navidad se celebra desde el 12 de diciembre hasta el 6 de enero.

Desde el 16 de diciembre hasta la víspera de Navidad, los niños a menudo realizan las procesiones
'Posada' o Posadas. Posada es español para posada o alojamiento. Hay nueve Posadas. Estos
celebran la parte de la historia de Navidad donde José y María buscaron un lugar para quedarse.
Para las Posadas, el exterior de las casas está decorado con árboles de hoja perenne, musgo y
linternas de papel.

Christmas in Mexico

In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated from the December 12th to January 6th.

From December 16th to Christmas Eve, children often perform the 'Posada' processions or Posadas.
Posada is Spanish for Inn or Lodging. There are nine Posadas. These celebrate the part of the
Christmas story where Joseph and Mary looked for somewhere to stay. For the Posadas, the outside
of houses are decorated with evergreens, moss and paper lanterns.

En cada Posada, a los niños se les dan velas y una tabla, con figuras de arcilla pintada de María
montando sobre un asno y José, para procesar alrededor de las calles con. Llaman a las casas de
amigos y vecinos y cantan una canción en cada hogar. La canción que cantan es sobre Joseph y Mary
pidiendo una habitación en la casa. Pero a los niños se les dice que no hay espacio en la casa y que
deben irse. ¡Eventualmente les dicen que hay lugar y son bienvenidos! Cuando los niños entran a la
casa, dicen oraciones de agradecimiento y luego hacen una fiesta con comida, juegos y fuegos
artificiales.

Cada noche, una casa diferente celebra la fiesta de Posada. En la Posada final, en Nochebuena, un
pesebre y figuras de pastores son puestos en el tablero. Cuando se encontró la casa de Posada, se
coloca al bebé Jesús en el pesebre y luego las familias van a un servicio de la medianoche en la
Iglesia. Después del servicio de la Iglesia hay más fuegos artificiales para celebrar el comienzo de la
Navidad.
In each Posada, children are given candles and a board, with painted clay figures of Mary riding on
a donkey and Joseph, to process round the streets with. They call at the houses of friends and
neighbors and sing a song at each home. The song they sing is about Joseph and Mary asking for a
room in the house. But the children are told that there is no room in the house and that they must
go away. Eventually they are told there is room and are welcomed in! When the children go into the
house they say prayers of thanks and then they have a party with food, games and fireworks.

Each night a different house holds the Posada party. At the final Posada, on Christmas Eve, a manger
and figures of shepherds are put on to the board. When the Posada house has been found, a baby
Jesus is put into the manger and then families go to a midnight Church service. After the Church
service there are more fireworks to celebrate the start of Christmas.

Los belenes, conocidos como el 'nacimiento', son muy populares en México. ¡Son a menudo muy
grandes, con las figuras que son de tamaño natural! A veces, se usa una habitación entera en una
casa para el nacimiento, aunque ahora esto es menos común. Las figuras a menudo están hechas
de arcilla y tradicionalmente se transmiten de padres a hijos. Además de las figuras normales de
María, José, Jesús, los pastores y los Reyes Magos, a menudo hay muchas otras figuras de
personas diferentes, incluidas mujeres que hacen tortillas, personas que venden comida y
diferentes animales y pájaros, ¡como los flamencos! Las cifras se pueden comprar en los mercados
en ciudades de todo México. El bebé Jesús normalmente se agrega a la escena durante la noche de
Nochebuena. Los Reyes Magos se agregan en Epiphany.

Nativity scenes, known as the 'nacimiento', are very popular in Mexico. They are often very large,
with the figures being life size! Sometimes a whole room in a house is used for the nacimiento,
although this is less common now. The figures are often made of clay and are traditionally passed
down through families. As well as the normal figures of the Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the Shepherds
and Three Kings, there are often lots of other figures of different people, including women making
tortillas, people selling food and different animals and birds, like flamingos! The figures can be
bought from markets in cities all over Mexico. The baby Jesus is normally added to the scene
during the evening of Christmas Eve. The Three Kings are added at Epiphany.

La gente en México también celebra 'los santos inocentes' o 'Día de los Santos Inocentes' el 28 de
diciembre y es muy parecido al Día de los Inocentes en el Reino Unido y los Estados Unidos. El 28
de diciembre es cuando la gente recuerda a los bebés que fueron asesinados por orden del rey
Herodes cuando estaba tratando de matar al bebé Jesús.

People in Mexico also celebrate 'los santos inocentes' or 'Day of the Innocent Saints' on December
28th and it's very like April Fools Day in the UK and USA. 28th December is when people
remember the babies that were killed on the orders of King Herod when he was trying to kill the
baby Jesus.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day, on December 25, is one of the most festive Christian holidays in many
countries around the world. It celebrates Jesus' birth.

Many people celebrate Christmas Day with a festive meal.©iStockphoto.com/DNY59

Celebrate Christmas Day

Christmas Day is a holiday in many, but not all, countries. Many homes have Christmas trees and other
decorations in the weeks leading to Christmas Day. Some workplaces hold Christmas parties prior to
December 25. Festive activities include exchanging presents, singing Christmas songs, going to parties.
It's a special time when children get presents from family, friends and Santa Claus, or Father Christmas.
Christmas cards are also given or sent out prior to Christmas Day.
For some, Christmas is an exclusive family affair, while others invite friends to a Christmas buffet or pot
luck meal. Churches have special services and may include a crèche or miniature Nativity scene.

What's Open or Closed?

Christmas Day is a public holiday in many countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, the United
Kingdom and the United States. Government offices, educational institutions, many businesses and post
offices are closed on this day. If you plan to travel with public transport, check with the local transport
authority on schedule changes.

About Christmas Day

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the son of God. His birth date is
unknown because there is little information about his early life. There is disagreement among scholars
on when Jesus was born. Christians celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25. Orthodox
Christians celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7.
The word “Christmas” comes from the old English “Cristes maesse”, or the mass of Christ. It is likely
that the Christmas date of December 25 was chosen to offset the Pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and
Natalis Invicti. It it also possible that the celebration of the birth of the “true light of the world” was set
at the time of the December solstice because this is when the days in the northern hemisphere begin to
grow longer. Christmas holiday customs derive from various cultures, including Teutonic, Celtic,
Roman, West Asian and Christian.

Symbols
The mistletoe is a commonly used Christmas decoration. By tradition, people who meet under a hanging
mistletoe are obliged to kiss. Mistletoe has pagan associations. For example, the druids of Gaul regarded
mistletoe growing on oak trees as sent from heaven.
Other common decorations associated with Christmas are holly and ivy – both are associated with Pagan
festivals as it was customary to decorate with greenery for these festivals.
Images of Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, snowmen, reindeer, and candy canes are seen in
cards, posters, signs and other printed or marketing material associated with the Christmas celebrations.
Images of baby Jesus, the Christmas star, and other symbols associated with the religious meaning of
Christmas are also seen during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

With all the hype of the holidays, you’re sure to see Christmas decorations everywhere. It’s a huge

part of celebrating Christmas! But have you ever thought about how some of those traditional

decorations can help us get in touch with the true spirit of the season? If we look at them in the right

way, we can allow them to help us remember Jesus Christ in our Christmas celebrations as

Christians have done for centuries.

The Star

Photographs by Getty Images

It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting

on top of Christmas trees. The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It

represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. Five years before Jesus

was born, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the signs of the Savior’s birth, including the

appearance of a bright new star (see Helaman 14:5). The star led the Wise Men to Jesus

(see Matthew 2:2) and reminds us to follow the light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the

light of the star to find Him.

Lights and Candles

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “Many of our memorable

and enduring Christmas traditions include different kinds of lights—lights on trees, lights in and on

our homes, candles on our tables. May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind us of Him

who is the source of all light.”1Christmas lights can remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the

World. They can also remind us to be lights to others and to help others come unto Christ.

For centuries, candles have brought brightness and warmth to the season. Candles can also

represent the light of the star that appeared at the birth of the Savior, and like other lights, remind

us that He is the Light of the World. Did you know candles were often used to decorate Christmas

trees before electric lights were invented?

Trees
Even before Christ’s birth, trees that stayed green all year long carried special meaning for people.

A green, thriving tree in the dead of winter reminded people of hope and new life. Because of Jesus

Christ, we can have everlasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13), so we can choose to see the evergreen tree

as a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.

Poinsettias

The poinsettia originates from Mexico, and like the evergreen tree, it is a plant that thrives during

the winter and symbolizes new life. But it doesn’t stop there! Their shape resembles a star, like the

one that led the Wise Men to Jesus. Red poinsettias can remind us of the blood that Christ spilled

for us. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Having
bled at every pore, how red [Christ’s] raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that

cloak!”2 white poinsettias can symbolize His purity (see Moroni 7:48).

Holly

Because its red berries and prickly green leaves last all year round, holly is used as a Christmas

decoration all over the world. The sharp edges of the holly leaf can remind us of the crown of thorns

placed on the Savior’s head (see Matthew 27:29). The red holly berry can remind us of His blood

shed for all of us. Christians have long seen these symbols. In fact, in some Scandinavian

languages, the word for holly is “Christ-thorn.”

Wreaths
Traditionally, wreaths are made of evergreens such as pine branches or holly. Their circular shape

can represent eternity (see D&C 35:1). Wreaths hung on doors or in windows are like a symbolic

invitation for the spirit of Christmas to fill our homes with the joy of the season.

Bells

For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the arrival of the Christmas season. They can

symbolize the announcement of the birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and

declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
Candy Canes

Perhaps a better name for the candy cane is “candy crook.” They can remind us of the staffs carried

by the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus. During Christ’s time, a shepherd’s staff often had a

crook, or bend, at the top that was used to hook sheep by the neck to gently lead them to food or

water or to protect them from harm. As you enjoy a candy cane, remember that Jesus Christ is the

Good Shepherd (see John 10:11, 14). If we choose to follow Him, He will gently lead us to safety

and peace.

Stockings

If you think about it, it’s a bit strange for someone to put goodies in your old sock. But like many

Christmas traditions, the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from an old legend. A long time

ago (so the story goes), a poor man had three daughters and couldn’t afford to give them a dowry

(money or goods given to the groom’s family by the bride’s family). In those days, it was very hard

for a woman to get married without a dowry. A Christian bishop named Nicholas heard about the

problem and wanted to help, but the man refused to accept money. One night, Nicholas threw three

balls made of pure gold in through the open window of the man’s house. Each one landed in a

stocking hung by the fire to dry. The next morning, each daughter found a gold ball in her stocking.
With this bounty, they were all able to get married. Stockings can remind us of the importance of

service. The greatest example of service is Jesus Christ. He always “went about doing good” (Acts

10:38). Take some time to think about the Savior’s selfless acts of service. How can you give

Christlike service and show kindness to others?

Gifts

Christmas is the season of giving.Remember the Wise Men who came to see Jesus? They

“presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11), but the greatest gift of

all came from our Heavenly Father: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten

Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). As

you open your brightly wrapped presents on Christmas morning, remember that the Savior is the

true gift of Christmas.

Lights. Trees. Stars. Bells. Ever wonder what all these Christmas symbols might mean?

The Holy Night

The Holy Night, by Carl Bloch

With all the hype of the holidays, you’re sure to see Christmas decorations everywhere. It’s a huge
part of celebrating Christmas! But have you ever thought about how some of those traditional
decorations can help us get in touch with the true spirit of the season? If we look at them in the
right way, we can allow them to help us remember Jesus Christ in our Christmas celebrations as
Christians have done for centuries.

The Star

Christmas star

Photographs by Getty Images

It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or
sitting on top of Christmas trees. The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It
represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. Five years before Jesus
was born, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the signs of the Savior’s birth, including the
appearance of a bright new star (see Helaman 14:5). The star led the Wise Men to Jesus (see
Matthew 2:2) and reminds us to follow the light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the
light of the star to find Him.

Lights and Candles

Christmas lights and candle

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “Many of our memorable
and enduring Christmas traditions include different kinds of lights—lights on trees, lights in and on
our homes, candles on our tables. May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind us of
Him who is the source of all light.”1 Christmas lights can remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of
the World. They can also remind us to be lights to others and to help others come unto Christ.

For centuries, candles have brought brightness and warmth to the season. Candles can also
represent the light of the star that appeared at the birth of the Savior, and like other lights, remind
us that He is the Light of the World. Did you know candles were often used to decorate Christmas
trees before electric lights were invented?

Trees
Christmas tree

Even before Christ’s birth, trees that stayed green all year long carried special meaning for people.
A green, thriving tree in the dead of winter reminded people of hope and new life. Because of
Jesus Christ, we can have everlasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13), so we can choose to see the
evergreen tree as a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.

Poinsettias

poinsettias

The poinsettia originates from Mexico, and like the evergreen tree, it is a plant that thrives during
the winter and symbolizes new life. But it doesn’t stop there! Their shape resembles a star, like the
one that led the Wise Men to Jesus. Red poinsettias can remind us of the blood that Christ spilled
for us. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Having
bled at every pore, how red [Christ’s] raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that
cloak!”2 white poinsettias can symbolize His purity (see Moroni 7:48).

Holly

holly

Because its red berries and prickly green leaves last all year round, holly is used as a Christmas
decoration all over the world. The sharp edges of the holly leaf can remind us of the crown of
thorns placed on the Savior’s head (see Matthew 27:29). The red holly berry can remind us of His
blood shed for all of us. Christians have long seen these symbols. In fact, in some Scandinavian
languages, the word for holly is “Christ-thorn.”

Wreaths

wreath

Traditionally, wreaths are made of evergreens such as pine branches or holly. Their circular shape
can represent eternity (see D&C 35:1). Wreaths hung on doors or in windows are like a symbolic
invitation for the spirit of Christmas to fill our homes with the joy of the season.

Bells
bells

For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the arrival of the Christmas season. They can
symbolize the announcement of the birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and
declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Candy Canes

candy canes

Perhaps a better name for the candy cane is “candy crook.” They can remind us of the staffs
carried by the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus. During Christ’s time, a shepherd’s staff often
had a crook, or bend, at the top that was used to hook sheep by the neck to gently lead them to
food or water or to protect them from harm. As you enjoy a candy cane, remember that Jesus
Christ is the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11, 14). If we choose to follow Him, He will gently lead us
to safety and peace.

Stockings

Christmas stocking

If you think about it, it’s a bit strange for someone to put goodies in your old sock. But like many
Christmas traditions, the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from an old legend. A long time
ago (so the story goes), a poor man had three daughters and couldn’t afford to give them a dowry
(money or goods given to the groom’s family by the bride’s f