Entradas

Mostrando las entradas de 2023

Songs: Part 2

Imagen
3- The drum boy: It is a ver famous Christmas carol that tells the story of a little boy who earns his living with his little drum and, in fact, that is the gift he brings to the newborn Jesus. An endearing song that singer Raphael brought to Spanish-speaking fame in the 1960s. 4- Sleep and don't cry: Generation after generations grandparents and parents have interpreted this carol as a Christmas lullaby to put their children and grandchildren to sleep. Many are the adults who today remember him. 5- Pull up little donkey: Raise your hand if you don't know this Christmas carol with your eyes closed. It is one of the most classic Christmas songs, but if there is still someone at home who does not know it, it is time to learn it!

Songs

Imagen
The melody abd lyrics of Christmas carols is something as typical as having nougat on the table or getting together with your family on these dates: it cannot be missing. Passing from generation to generation, Christmas songs have always been part of the tradition on these dates and must continue to be so. 1- Las posadas: One of the traditions that differentiates Mexico from other countries is the tradition of Las posadas. It is a kind of pilgrimage that begins on December 16 and that recreates the search for inns by José and María when the child was to be born.  2- Bell over Bell:It is also know as Bells of Bethlehem and this Christmas song is another of the most classic on these dates, although it has a difficulty: not everyone knows the verses! Sometimes we get lost among so many bells and it never hurts to have the lyrics at hand.

Language

Imagen
The most widely spoken language in Mexican territory is Spanish, although the General Law of Linguistic Rights also recognizes native idigenous languages as national languages. There is also a strong presence of English as a second language in Mexico and it can be used. The national government officially recognizes 63 aboriginal languages, including Nahuatl, Yucatec Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, Otomi, Totonac, Mazahua, and Huastec. About 7% of the population speaks at least one indigenous language. Other languages spoken are Plautdietsch in the Mennonite communities in the states of Veracruz and German in the Soconusco area and in the German communities in Sinaloa, such as Mazatlán and Culiacán.

Fun Facts: Part 2

Imagen
4. The origin of the -christmas tree, according to historians, is in the festivities of the Nordic peoples for the birth of the God King, during which they decorated an evergreen tree. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first to light a Christmas tree with large candles. 5. The rounded shape of mistletoe wreaths represents eternity, since it has neither beginning nor end. It is also said to symbolize Christ's crown of thorns, while the red berries symbolize the blood he shed in his passion. 6. In many Latin countries, the feast of the Three Kings is celebrated on January 6. Although they are known as Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar, the Gospel of Saint Matthew, which is the only biblical source that mentions them, refers to them as "some magicians from the East", without specifying their names.

Fun Facts

Imagen
1. The Christmas Eve turkey is native to Mexico: In Mexico, during the 16th century, the Aztecs were the first to prepare the Christmas Eve turkey. They made it for the conquistador Hernán Cortés, who liked the dish and took it to Spain. Previously, In Mexico they called it guajolote. 2. The tradition of hanging stockings for gifts: Placing stockings for gifts comes from the origins of Saint Nicholas. This saint saved three women who were prostitutes and to stop them from doing it, he placed gold coins in their stockings while they slept. It should be noted that Santa Claus is based on this saint. 3. Silent Night has 733 versions: The Silent Night song is the most popular at Christmas. It has 733 versions since 1973. It was written by Father Joseph Mohr, in Austria. He was inspired when his church orga broke. There is also a story that a priest wrote it while he was in a church in Austria.

Decorations

Imagen
In December we can see many houses decorated with Christmas trees, Santa Claus, Christmas wreaths, socks, candles, poinsettia, balloons with which figures such as a snowman or the entrance to a chimney are created. The piñatas are colorful, made of clay and cardboard, filled with seasonal fruits, peanuts, and a variety of candies. The shapes of the piñatas are varied, there are stars, princesses, "unpleasant" characters and superheroes, among others. Another of the spaces that people decorate is the birth where the central figures are María and José, together with shepherds and stable animals; in addition to the child God that is placed on December 24, which according to tradition is the date of birth.

Celebrations: Part 4

Imagen
The pinatas Piñatas are not only used on children's birthdays in Mexico but also at Christmas. They are often part of the Posadas or the Christmas Eve party. The cardboard figures wrapped in crepe paper are traditionally filled with fruit. However, as the tradition has progressed, other elements have been incorporated into the piñata, such as sweets. Kings Day Three Kings Day is the closing of the Christmas season, here, chilldren receive gifts from the Three Wise Men, who arrived a few days after the birth of Jesus Christ to honor him with gold, incese and myrrh, although in the case of Mexico, the little ones receive toys instead. The Rosca of kings After Christmas, Three Kings Day arrives, which culminates in the visit of the Three Kings to leave gifts for Mexican children, and prior to this moment, in Mexico it is customary to hold meetings to break the Kings' cake, a bread, usually orange, baked in a circular fashion, accompained by dried fruit and sugary areas.}

Celebrations: Part 3

Imagen
Gift exchange  Gift exchanges are activities that take place during the holidays between family, friends or co-workers. But more than giving and receiving gifts, this implies greater interaction between members of the same group in order to strengthen ties. Christmas dinner Christmas dinner in Mexico takes place on Christmas Eve, although the time mary vary, the tradition is to serve turkey, accompanied by apple salad, cod and romeritos, which is a preparation made from romerito leaves (very different from rosemary), with mole, boiled potato and shrimp, after dinner a dessert is usually added. Lull the baby God At midnight on December 25, the figure of the Child God is taken and lulled to sleep, while a lullaby is usually sung for him and a prayer is said to finally place him in the manger, although he will dress until February 2, Day of the Candlemas.

Celebrations: Part 2

Imagen
Posadas Posadas are parties with a traditional Christmas theme, where attendees sing Christmas carols, enjoy typical dishes such as fritters, tostadas, and tamales, drink punch, and break the piñata. Although in many -mexican homes the posadas are one more party, within Catholic families. The bonus During the posadas, attendees are given sweets, which are called Christmas bonuses, which are made by hand and are accompanied by seasonal fruits, such as sugar cane, hawthorn and mandarin oranges. This custom eventually became a gift that employers give to Mexican workers, which is financial compensation of at least half of the salary awarded. Christmas Eve Christmas Eve happens from the nigth of December 24 to the early morning of December 25, and during this evening loved ones gather for dinner and perform the final rites of the Advent calendar, as well as exchanging gifts, whiles the children await the arrival of Santa Claus.

Celebrations

Imagen
Mexico is a country full of traditions, which also stand out for their religious roots, but also extremely festive and it is very noticeable when the December celebrations arrive, and that is, despite having a lot of influence from the United States when it comes to Christmas, we have put our unique touch. Christmas tree At the end of November or beginning of December, Mexican families place the Christmas tree, decorate their houses with lights and crows, place figures of Santa Claus, the Three Wise Men, and the Child God, in addition to putting a unique touch with the likes of each member of the family. Pastorelas From December 16 to December 24, the liturgical year of the Catholic religion begins, which implies the preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ on earth, and with this season come the pastorelas, which they are a theatrical representation of the procession that the Virgin Mary and Joseph carried out to give birth to the  Child God. The birth Placing the birth is one ...