|
Christmas
By Bonzac Land Banking As a Retirement Strategy - December 2006.
Anywhere in the world Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus (The Christ Child or God Child). Nevertheless it seems that due to the deep-rooted tradition, there is no other place where it is lived out like in Mexic o.
The birth is celebrated on December 24th, and preparations start at the beginning of the month with setting up the "traditional nativity set”. It is a scene representing the passage of the coming of the Christ Child, from the departure to go on the run towards Bethlehem, up to the arrival of the kings who, guided by the star of Bethlehem, arrived before Him to kneel down and offer Him gifts.
These scenes include figures made out of wood, ceramics or plaster, representing different characters such as Joseph, the Virgin Mary, the pilgrims, the shepherds, the crib, the star of Bethlehem, the kings, and of course the whole surrounding is full of light and color, with plentiful small figures of lambs, donkeys, cows, ducks, swans, roosters and much more which is placed around mirrors representing lakes, or around worsted fabric or strips of colored plastic posing as rivers or cascades. And everything is generating joy, brotherhood and kindness.
 Although the birth is honored on the 24th of the month, a date when the whole family gets together to put the baby into the crib, the celebration starts nine days prior with the performance of the traditional posada (to ask for lodging) that re-enact the great adventure of Holy Joseph and Virgin Maria to find a quiet and safe place for the birth of the Christ Child. These posadas, through games, pilgrimages, songs, food, piñatas, fruit, candies, sparklers, streamers and much more are full of joy while anticipating the coming of the Savior.
One of the most typical, very colorful aspects of the posada is the breaking of the piñatas; they are made out of a clay jar and are covered with colored crepe paper, forming traditional or typical figures. They are loaded with fruit, candies and gifts that are always very much appreciated above all by the children. At dinner, tamales stuffed with different ingredients, atole (hot cornflour drink), buñuelos (small Mexican doughnuts) and traditional punch are served. As a matter of course, it is the Christmas carols - sung while asking for sleeping accommodation after the long journey - that impregnate the celebration with unity and spirituality.
To request lodging is an event where a part of the participants, to the light of multicolored lanterns, re-enact the pilgrimage of Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary accompanied by shepherds. They knock on various doors, intoning the  carols, and ask for the opportunity to enter a warm place where they can find shelter.
On the other hand, another part of the participants re-enact those who live in the houses or places where the pilgrims ask to spend the night. The answer is negative at all doors where lodging is requested, until arriving at the last door where the pilgrims upon hearing a chanted affirmation of great joy, are finally received and welcomed with great love.
There are many emotions that are experienced during these celebrations. Nevertheless on the night of the 24th - when baby Jesus is laid down in his crib - the most intimate fibers of any heart are touched, opening the doors for love, doors that perhaps had been closed for some time and for different reasons.
 The culminating event is Christmas dinner. The whole family is sitting at the table and among talks, laughter, toasts, exquisite aromas, Christmas songs and hugs, they share various dishes such as turkey, codfish, chicken, tamales and much more. That night everything is harmony and although an American influence is manifested in many of the homes through a Christmas tree or Santa Claus, the essence and traditional warm-heartedness is maintained in the heart of the families, where children are always the ones who are the happiest when these times arrive. In many homes it is the custom that after supper the children are allowed to open one of their gifts which was brought of course by the God Child.
Although Christmas is a world-wide celebration, we dare to say that there is no other place like in Mexico, to experience this celebration and to feel the presence of love abundantly radiating in every corner of the houses.
Merry Christmas!
Provided by: Bonzac Land Banking
E-mail: info@landbankers101.com
• The Bonzac Land Banking program evens the playing field for the smaller investor with their Partnership Program. You invest in a percentage of the property and gain based on your percentage of ownership. "The small investor doing and getting big return”. If you're looking for a solid investment that is backed up with beachfront property in a very desirable retirement area where property values are set to increase by hundreds of percent please visit: http://www.sierramadreholdings.com |
Current
Weather Report
