The Humble Beginnings of a Global Celebration
It all started when Joseph, the carpenter, and his wife Mary had to go from door to door seeking shelter for the night. At that time, their story was just beginning to unfold, a tale that would change the course of world history. The couple was merely one of many travelers who sought lodging for the night during long pilgrimages. Little did anyone know that Maria was chosen, pregnant and about to give birth to Jesus Christ himself.
The world would later learn, through the words penned by witnesses in the gospels, that the new religion’s followers decided to recreate and perform these events repeatedly for promotional purposes. This, dear reader, is the origin of Christmas traditions. Many prominent figures from the saintly calendar are featured in these customs. For instance, it is said that around 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi first thought of recreating the Nativity scene. On a cold, wintry day, as the young friar wandered near the small town of Rieti, he realized that Christmas would find him in a remote hermitage, far from his monastery. Overcome with premature nostalgia, more for the spirit of the moment than any didactic purpose, he yielded to the inspiration of reenacting the Belén mystery live.
Foto: Francisco de Anda
Corrections and Versions of the Nativity
Throughout history, various corrections and versions of the Nativity have emerged. One of them—fully institutionalized and distinctly Mexican—suggests that end-of-year festivities in Mexico had been celebrated for four hundred years, predating the colonial period. The ancient Mexicans honored Huitzilopochtli, the War God, during the month of panquetzaliztli (corresponding to roughly December 7-26 in the Julian calendar), much like our current posadas.
When Augustinian friars arrived, they replaced characters, erased Huitzilopochtli from worship, and embarked on a rigorous evangelization mission to save pagan souls in these lands and establish a protocol for a comfortable ticket to Paradise.
The Evolution of Posadas
Over time, posadas have transformed from purely religious acts to social events. They evolved from the francachelas of the 19th century, rowdy celebrations of the 20th century, to today’s extravagant parties in the 21st century. The whistles have fallen silent, candles have been extinguished, children and young people asking for confetti and canelones are gone, replaced by sparkling liquors that now take the place of traditional ponche de granada y jamaica.
Today, as you attend gatherings, remember that memorizing any divine chants is unnecessary for entry. However, moderation is key. The sleepless nights and the morning’s aftereffects remain. Don’t worry, dear reader; plenty of water and a couple of aspirin can fix anything. After all, life without celebrations is like a long journey without posadas.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the origins of Christmas traditions? The reenactment of the Nativity scene by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223 is considered one of the earliest Christmas traditions.
- How have posadas evolved over time? Originally religious acts, posadas transformed into social events, losing elements like whistles, candles, and children asking for treats while gaining vegan, pre-Hispanic, and gluten-free snacks.
- What do modern posadas look like? Modern posadas are more akin to wild collective hallucinations than religious celebrations, with sparkling liquors replacing traditional ponche and guests dancing rather than participating in religious activities.
