We are getting closer to the holidays. Christmas Eve is one of the most important celebrations during the winter season.. But have you ever wondered how these celebrations come about?
This holiday is celebrated worldwide, despite the differences between the traditions and customs of each culture. During this night, people take the opportunity to have dinner and have a good time with their loved ones.
What is Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian calendar. According to this tradition, on the night of December 24th is commemorated the moment Jesus was born, in a manger in Bethlehem.
However, some researchers point out that these celebrations have their origins in pagan celebrations of the Winter Solsticewhich date back to times of the Roman empire.
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During these celebrations, rituals were carried out to venerate the gods and ask them for both protection and prosperity for the year to come. With the arrival of Christianity, the Catholic Church adapted the holidays, giving them a new symbol: the birth of Christ.
According to what was established by said religion, the Virgin Mary and Joseph sought refuge to give birth to the “god child”, since King Herod ordered the death of all children in Bethlehem. With this he sought to prevent the birth of Jesus.
After a complicated pilgrimage, they found a refuge where Mary could give birth to Christ. According to tradition, this happened during the night of December 24. With this Christmas Eve originated.
Today, it is celebrated all over the world with different traditions and customs that reflect the cultural diversity of each country. For example, in Spain, it is customary to eat a special dinner with family members, as well as attend the Midnight Mass, which is celebrated at midnight.
However, how is this night celebrated in our country?
What is celebrated on December 24 in Mexico?
In Mexico, different activities are carried out to celebrate December 24. One of them is the last inn. Which is a theatrical representation of the procession carried out by the Virgin Mary and Joseph, prior to the birth of the Child God.
It is important to mention that the posadas are traditional festivals in which attendees sing Christmas carols, enjoy typical dishes (punch, buñuelos, tostadas, etc.), drink punch and break piñatas. Although for those more religious homes these holidays are a whole process in which the birth of Jesus is represented.
These celebrations begin with a prayer or litany, which changes depending on the day and is according to the Advent calendar. Afterwards, a posada is requested from house to house, while the carol “Entren Santos Peregrinos” is sung in chorus. Then the figures of the pilgrims are placed in the nativity scene, which is on the base of the Christmas tree.
After these activities, we proceed to pray a rosary, receive the Christmas bonus sweets and culminate with breaking a piñata.
Christmas dinner
Christmas Eve is the night of the December 24 to the early morning of December 25. For this evening, family members gather for dinner and perform the final rites of the Advent calendar. While, on the other hand, gifts are exchanged and children usually wait for the arrival of Santa Claus.
In other homes it is also common to lull Baby Jesus to sleep. To do this, the figure that represents the newborn Jesus is taken and lulled to sleep. During this performance a lullaby is sung and a prayer is said. At the end the figure is placed in the manger.
Christmas Eve’s flower
The poinsettia flower or poinsettia is a species native to our country and a Christmas symbol par excellence. Its scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrimabelongs to the euphorbiaceae family such as castor bean, yucca, rubber tree, among others..
This plant has great ornamental value by virtue of its red flowers that sprout at the end of the year, so they are used as part of the decorations during the december holidays.
Poinsettia plants are shrubs or small trees that can measure up to four meters. Its leaves are dark green and medium in size, usually reaching up to 16 centimeters in length.
As for its flowers, they are formed by red bracts (modified leaves), which can usually be confused with petals. However, the flowers are found in the center of the bracts and are grouped in the inflorescence known as ciatio.
Another characteristic of its flowers is that the female ones are small and reduced. These are surrounded in the central part of the cyathium by the male flowers, which produce a stamen with yellow antennae that contrast with the red bracts.
Due to its ornamental characteristics, it is one of the most cultivated plants in the world.
And you, how do you like to celebrate Christmas Eve?
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