Celebrating Christmas at Tequila, Mexico

Brief history...

Christmas is a word derived from the Latin nativitas, which means birth, referring to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Although nobody knows exactly the day of his birth, the leaders of the Christian Church, following the gospels of Saint Mathew and Saint Luke, decided to set this date (December 25) so that their parishioners would stay away from pagan celebrations linked to the winter solstice. Some historical documents mention that the celebration of the first Christmas in America was held around December 25, 1492.

In Mexico, the first Christmas was registered to happen in 1526. This date was registered by Fray Pedro de Gante (Franciscan missionary) after he had learned to speak the Nahuatl language and had spread the religion among the indigenous Mexican people. This register was made by Fray Pedro to describe King Charles V how he had introduced the concept of Christmas to his evangelization, explaining how he was turning indigenous traditions into Christian rites.

But... How is this celebration held in Mexico?

It all starts the night of December 24, on Christmas Eve, since Christmas itself is celebrated on December 25. This is one of the most important nights, both in terms of religion as well as in terms of celebrating.

The Christmas season in Mexico represents an important opportunity to share it all with our family. It's a night full of traditions and customs that demonstrate the personality so characteristic of our country since, on this date ,you can find a mixture of Mexican colors, flavors and typical aromas that will invade your senses. This unique combination is what makes this December holiday so special.

Which are these traditions and cutoms?

Posadas

The posadas are a key tradition for Mexicans during this holiday. They start being celebrated 9 days before Christmas and, in the posadas, we make a representation of the journey that Joseph and Mary made to Bethlehem in search of a place for Mary to give birth to baby Jesus.

During this representation, friends and neighbors get together and light candles while singing the posada songs (asking for an place to stay at) until they finally reach the house of one of guests (previously chosen) that will open the doors to them. This person opens the doors of his house to Joseph and Mary and so, the celebration begins.

Piñatas

Another representative symbol that is a must during this celebrations, is the piñata. Piñatas are handcrafted with different patterns and materials. Nowadays, they are elaborated in many different ways but, the traditional or representative piñata shape for Christmas is a star, made with 7 cones that peak out from the center. These cones make reference to the 7 capital vices so by breaking it, we "defeat" these vices. That's when the candies from from the inside of the piñata, as a reward for our will, virtue and faith.

Nativities

We can also find the typical Nativities, which represent the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. These are placed from December 16 to February 2 (date when the Christmas season ends). The figure of baby Jesus is placed on December 24 at night, representing his birth.

Christmas Dinner

Last but not least, the typical Christmas dinner is likewise a key element of this season. Mexicans prepare a great dinner on the night of December 24, in which families gather to celebrate Christmas and give thanks for the blessings received during the year. We prepare different dishes such as:

• Rosemary in sauce
• Cod fish
• Turkey
• Christmas salad
• Tamales
• Buñuelos (special Christmas fritter)
• And, as a drink, our classic fruit punch.

If you need more ideas for your Christmas celebration, we here share with your our fee ebook:

Why in Tequila?

Enjoying the upcoming festivities in a beautiful magical town like Tequila, Jalisco, makes them much more special. Whether by admiring the agave fields, or by tasting different tequilas, or simply touring the characteristic cobbled streets of this beautiful town, you'll find an unforgettable experience at Tequila. This season, we invite you to mix tradition and festivity in Jalisco, the heart of Mexicanity!

Celebrate your Mexican Posada at Casa Sauza so that you and your loved ones spend a magical Christmas in the town of Tequila. Our majestic Quinta Sauza will give you the perfect setting to enjoy your very Mexican Holiday at Casa Sauza.