Merry Christmas, Cozumel!
It is time again to present you with Mexican traditions at Christmas time. Christmas is still Christmas in Mexico. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the important things in life, family and friends. Although some influences of Santa have arrived due to tourism and residents from the other countries, the wonderful old fashion traditions still reign. We will start with the traditions during the Holiday Season, and then list all the good food that is traditionally served. You can go on-line and get the recipes or get more information on the celebrations.
Posadas
When you hear a group of people singing as they walk down your street, they are participating in the Posada. The Posadas take place from the 16th to the 24th. It is a procession that reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. These processions lead to a different house every night for the culmination of the posada – a fiesta, which will usually include one or more piñatas. In the Caribbean Islands of Trinidad, St. Lucia’s, etc. They do a version of the Posada called Parange. (Not certain of the spelling). Each home visited is blessed by friends and family.
Nochebuena
Christmas Eve is called Nochebuena in Spanish. This is the night of the last posada. Many people attend midnight mass and then have a dinner together with their families. Christmas Day is generally a quiet day. Gifts are not traditionally exchanged on Christmas, but this is changing, and Santa Claus is becoming increasingly more prominent in Mexican Christmas celebrations. In Cozumel, Ebenezer Church is having a Christmas Eve service in English at 6 p.m. The Catholic Churches have Christmas Eve and Christmas day Masses.
Nacimientos
Although many Mexican families have Christmas trees, nativity scenes are a more common in homes, yards, and public places. The Nacimientos is usually set up on December 16th, the baby Jesus is added at night on December 24th and the three kings are added on January 5th.
Pastorelas
Pastorelas are theatrical presentations of the shepherds (los pastores) on their way to see baby Jesus. These originated during Mexico’s colonial period and are now light-hearted comedic presentations. In the play the shepherds encounter various obstacles on their journey, with devils and angels making appearances.
Villancicos:
Christmas carols are called villancicos in Spanish (pronounced vee-yan-see-kose). Some of these may be familiar translations of songs in English, such as Noche de Paz, the Spanish version of Silent Night, and some are completely different, such as Las Campanas de Belen (Bethlehem’s Bells) and Los Peces en el Río (the Fishes in the River).
The Celebration Continues:
After Christmas comes Año Nuevo (New Years. Most Mexicans celebrate New Year’s Eve by having a late-night dinner with their families. Those who want to party generally go out afterwards. The big day for children is January 6th, Día de Reyes (Kings Day). This is when children traditionally receive gifts, brought by the three wise men. Instead of cookies for Santa, children leave cookies and milk for the three Kings and hay, carrots, or other vegetable for the Camel, the elephant and the Horse they ride. Many children now receive gifts both on Christmas and on King’s Day.
On this day it is also customary to share a Rosca de Reyes among friends and family. This is sweet bread in the shape of a wreath with a miniature baby Jesus figure inside. Whoever finds the baby Jesus (often there are several in each Rosca) is supposed to host the party on February 2nd, traditionally serving tamales.
Candlemas, or Día de la Candelaria, on February 2nd, marks the end of the Christmas season. On this day people dress up their Niño Dios and take them to the church to be blessed, and everyone enjoys tamales provided by the person who got the baby Jesus in the Rosca on King’s Day.
Then There is The Christmas Food!
Ensalada de Noche Buena
Creative Commons photo by Sean T. Evans
The combination of colors of the Mexican Christmas Salad makes it particularly festive. This salad usually has lettuce and beets, but other ingredients vary according to the place and the chef’s preference, and may include apple, carrot, orange, pineapple, jicama, pecans or peanuts, and pomegranate seeds as a garnish. Mexican Christmas Salad is served at Christmas Eve dinner.
Tamales
Creative Commons photo by Tim Lauer
Tamales are cornmeal dumplings which may be prepared with a variety of fillings. They are wrapped in corn husks (or occasionally banana leaves), and steamed. Because tamales are time consuming to prepare, they are a special holiday food – made a few times throughout the year, in large batches. Tamales vary from state to state in Mexico. There are wonderful variations available, keep looking until you find your favorite.
Bacalao
Creative Commons photo by Javier Lastras
Bacalao (dried salted codfish) starts showing up in markets and grocery stores throughout Mexico as Christmas approaches. This dish of European origin has become a common part of a traditional Mexican Christmas feast. Bacalao a la Vizcaina is a popular recipe in which the cod is stewed with tomatoes, capers, olives, and potatoes, but it may be prepared in a variety of ways. My Aunt makes this for us every year, her recipe is from Spain passed down from my grandmother. It is simple to make and delicious.
Romeritos
Photo courtesy Gobierno de Nayarit
A green leaf vegetable with small leaves, this plant resembles rosemary, for which it is named. Romeritos are most often served as romeritos en revoltijo, with shrimp cakes and doused in mole. This Mexican Christmas dish is also served during Lent. This is a favorite of my Cozumel friends, I have not been able to warm up to it.
Pozole
Creative Commons photo by ImipolexG
Pozole is hominy soup made with pork or chicken and seasoned with chile and garlic. It is served with garnishes of shredded lettuce or cabbage, thinly sliced radishes, avocado, oregano, and lime wedges. It makes a hearty meal and is made in large batches, making it a great party food, which besides being a popular choice for a Christmas dinner, is also served during Mexican Independence Day or Cinco de Mayo parties. If you have not had Pozole, you are missing out. It is a year around favorite in my household.
Pavo
Creative Commons photo by Sandra Donoso
Turkey is native to Mexico and is another popular choice for a Mexican Christmas Eve dinner. The Christmas turkey may be roasted, or it may be served with mole, a rich sauce made of ground chiles and other ingredients. Do not expect the American version! Mexican turkeys are injected with Coca Cola or wine, seasoned differently and the stuffing is not your typical American stuffing.
Buñuelos
© Suzanne Barbezat
Served with a hot drink, buñuelos make an excellent treat on a cold night. This crispy fried treat is like a sweet tostada which is sprinkled with sugar or doused in syrup. In Oaxaca there are special stands set up at Christmastime selling buñuelos and atole. After enjoying the sweet fritter, you make a wish and throw your clay plate on the ground, where it smashes to bits. This tradition is said to spring from a Pre-Hispanic festivity in which all the dishes were broken at the end of a calendar cycle.
Ponche Navideño
Creative Commons photo by digiyesica
Mexican hot fruit punch is made with tejocotes (Mexican hawthorn), which look like crab apples but have large pits and a unique flavor. Guavas, apples, and other fruit are added and the drink is flavored with cinnamon and sweetened with piloncillo. This is a wonderfully warming beverage, whether taken with or without piquet (a splash of alcohol).
My thanks to http://gomexico.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/p/christmas.htm for the information on the Mexican Holiday!
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Reminders: Christmas Eve Service in English – December 24th 6 p.m. Ebenezer Church 30th Ave & 10 Street North – Christmas Masses at the Catholic Churches both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! For information on times contact me at auraholguin@thecozumelsun.com.
CITY OF COZUMEL DISCOUNTS
On November 1, the City announced this year’s discount program: (Note if you have an INAPAN arid (senior discount), you qualify for a 50% discount on taxes! *To apply see instructions in The Cozumel Sun section on Important Documents: https://www.thecozumelsun.com/living-in-cozumel-guide/important-documents/
Property Taxes 15% Discount if you pay December 16th – December 31st 10% Discount if you pay January 1st – February 28th Trash Collection Commercial and Home 10% discount if you pay November 18th – February 28th
