Christmas caroling is an early tradition in the USA, ending with a hearty "Merry Christmas!" But in Mexico, families and neighbors celebrate the this holy time through a ceremony called "Las Posadas."
1. It’s thought that Las Posadas can be traced to Augustine priests who wanted to be able to teach the Aztecs about their religion. Their celebrations coincided with an Aztec festival celebrating the birth of their god Huitzilopochtli.
2. Nowadays the celebrations take place in family homes, but originally they were held in the church.
3. The last posada, which happens on December 24, ends with a midnight mass.
4. “The Novena” signifies the nine months Mary carried Jesus in her womb.
5. The songs sung at each home form a dialogue between the “Fuera,” (“afuera” means outside in Spanish) sung by the pilgrims, and “Dentro,” (“adentro" means inside in Spanish) sung by those playing the innkeepers.
1. It’s thought that Las Posadas can be traced to Augustine priests who wanted to be able to teach the Aztecs about their religion. Their celebrations coincided with an Aztec festival celebrating the birth of their god Huitzilopochtli.
2. Nowadays the celebrations take place in family homes, but originally they were held in the church.
3. The last posada, which happens on December 24, ends with a midnight mass.
4. “The Novena” signifies the nine months Mary carried Jesus in her womb.
5. The songs sung at each home form a dialogue between the “Fuera,” (“afuera” means outside in Spanish) sung by the pilgrims, and “Dentro,” (“adentro" means inside in Spanish) sung by those playing the innkeepers.
6. The star-shaped piñata has seven points that are meant to symbolize the seven deadly sins.
7. And rather than being filled with candy, these piñatas are stuffed with peanuts, oranges, and sugar cane. And although your head may crack as this waterfall of goodies rains on you, you still have the best of times being the one who breaks it!
8. The piñata itself represents the temptation of evil, while the act of being blindfolded and hitting it symbolizes overcoming this with blind faith.
9. The treats released from inside the piñata are the rewards from heaven, which are shared among guests in packages called “aguinaldos.” The word “aguinaldo” is basically a synonym of “felicidad.”
10. To stay warm, guests are served ponche, an aromatic fruit punch that includes piloncillo, water, cinnamon, and fruits such as guavas, tejocotes, and oranges. In Jalísco, ponche is a combination of pomegranate seeds marinated in tequila, and chopped walnuts. It also keeps everyone very joyful, and it is DELICIOUS.
Note: Courtesty of Abuelita, genuine products from Mexico
7. And rather than being filled with candy, these piñatas are stuffed with peanuts, oranges, and sugar cane. And although your head may crack as this waterfall of goodies rains on you, you still have the best of times being the one who breaks it!
8. The piñata itself represents the temptation of evil, while the act of being blindfolded and hitting it symbolizes overcoming this with blind faith.
9. The treats released from inside the piñata are the rewards from heaven, which are shared among guests in packages called “aguinaldos.” The word “aguinaldo” is basically a synonym of “felicidad.”
10. To stay warm, guests are served ponche, an aromatic fruit punch that includes piloncillo, water, cinnamon, and fruits such as guavas, tejocotes, and oranges. In Jalísco, ponche is a combination of pomegranate seeds marinated in tequila, and chopped walnuts. It also keeps everyone very joyful, and it is DELICIOUS.
Note: Courtesty of Abuelita, genuine products from Mexico
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