While marts of trade are now abuzz with last-minute holiday shoppers, there are plenty of signs that folks still cling to the reason for the season.
In addition to seeing homes, businesses and public spaces dolled up with brightly colored piñatas, dazzling lights and cheery Christmas trees, you’ll encounter picturesque nativity scenes on display almost everywhere you turn.
As a representation of the Christmas story. the focal point of el nacimiento is a rustic stable where Maria (Mary) and Jose (Joseph) huddle over the manger of the newborn Christ child. Typically placed around the Holy Family are figures of the ox, the ass and a variety of her barn animals, along with shepherds and their flocks, the Magi, an angel and often as not, a bright red Lucifer symbolizing the ever-present forces of evil.
Newcomers to Mexico may be suprised to discover that the crib is left vacant until the final hours of Christmas Eve. In keeping with Mexican custom, that is the appropriate time to lovingly acostar el Niño Dios – put the Baby Jesus to bed.
Although most Mexican families have long since adopted the foreign custom of putting up Christmas trees, el nacimiento is still considered as the centerpiece of their households decorations. Some simply place a basic creche at the foot of the arbol de navidad (Christmas tree), while others go all out, dedicating an entire room, patio or carport to elaborate landscapes filled with dozens of hand-made figurines laid out in lush scenery complete with palms and cacti, a waterfall flowing into a pond and other details to portray daily life in the the Holy Land.
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