Christmas in Mexico
It was over 50 years ago that we moved into a tiny village in Mexico to start a Bible school to allow those of little financial means to study God’s Word. Every area of Mexico is different - food, fashion, climate, and even dialect, but my experience is from the state Tamalipus, in the northeastern corner of Mexico.
When Christmas time came, we saw few traditions. There was a small elementary school in our village, with only first through third grades. Our children, as Americans, could not enroll in the school, but the kind teacher invited them to any fiestas they had. On the last day before the Christmas holidays, even the mothers went to school to see the piñata. I was very eager, too.
The children took turns trying to hit the piñata. Each child was blindfolded and handed a decorated stick. Then everyone sang a little song that encouraged them to hit it. When the verse was over, so was their turn. Each child took a turn, until the poor piñata was broken in pieces and gathered for treasure. Then the students stood in line to receive a small bag filled with goodies. They were delighted; I was disappointed!
I had read long ago that the piñata was filled with goodies, and I was hoping to see that. But, alas, it did not happen. I questioned the teacher and she explained. When they did it the old way, mothers complained that their child got less candy than another. And since each parent gives towards the piñata, the treat bags solved the problem. So we too, in our little missions, hand out bags. But when we have a piñata, to the delight of all, there are lots of treats. And we have never received any complaint.
Our village had a few older couples and their adult children and families. On the 24th of December, all of a family would go to one house to make tamales. The ladies visited while they worked, and the cousins enjoyed their time together. Even today, this is a big part of Christmas in the village. The people did not need a tree or gifts; they just enjoyed each other. In the evening, supper was their hot tamales.
One tradition from my childhood that was missing in Mexico was that of the Christmas tree. There simply were none in our area. One year, my husband Edward cut down a crucero tree. It is a deciduous tree (so it loses its leaves in the fall), and stands bare at Christmas time. It has many large thorns, which are ideal to hang light and ornaments. But the pain caused by those thorns made us abandon that idea! Later, we used a large piece of cane with holes drilled in it, where we could hang decorations. Now artificial trees are available in Mexico, and a few people have them in their homes.
Years later, we moved to a larger village that had a Catholic church. We then learned the false teachings underlying part of their traditions. The emphasis is placed on Maria, the “mother of God.” (Maria Guadalupe is the saint of Mexico.) Each area of the country has a unique place and way of worshiping her. About 20 miles from our village, there was a cave where Maria supposedly appeared, and nearby there is a waterfall (chorito). During the year, many walk to this place to plead for a miracle from the virgin. To me, it is an extremely sad place. We have taken visitors there to show them the cost of idolatry. December 12th is marked as the day of Maria Guadalupe, so up at the chorito, dances are performed that have been practiced for weeks.
From the 13th to the 24th, small groups will gather for a party (posada). Each night, they meet at a different house. They claim to be looking for a place to put the baby Jesus. Then on the 24th at midnight mass, baby Jesus is put in the manger. But all the worship is for Mary.
What sorrow these false teachings have brought! I rejoice that God sent His Son to be born of a virgin, but He did not stay a baby. He grew to be a man and died for my sins. I worship my Savior.
We did not come to Mexico to demand changes in traditions. But the Word was preached, and in our lives and actions, we tried to show a difference. Today there are tiny churches in many of the villages in this area who are making their own traditions to praise God for His Son Jesus and what He did for us. There are some families now that give gifts, but the main emphasis is on fellowship, worship, and eating. (We have made them good Baptists!)
No matter your traditions, please have a Merry Christmas, keeping your focus on worshiping Jesus.
