Christmas Pastorellas

Christmas Pastorellas (Mexico)

December 25-January 6

Christmas Day in Mexico is traditionally a quiet family day, especially following the Posadas season and the midnight mass known as the Misa de Gallo, or "Mass of the Cock," that many attend on Christmas Eve. But Christmas in Mexico, which extends until Día de los Tres Reyes ( Epiphany) on January 6, is also celebrated with pastorellas, or pageants, showing how the Wise Men and shepherds overcame obstacles to visit Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem.
These celebrations, which date from colonial days when Spanish missionaries used pageants as a way of teaching Mexicans the story of the Nativity, are performed throughout Mexico in public squares, churches, and theaters. Most of the pageants represent a humorous mix of tradition, politics, and social affairs.

CONTACTS:
Mexico Tourism Board
21 E. 63rd St., Fl. 3
New York, NY 10021
800-446-3942 or 212-821-0314; fax: 212-821-0367
www.visitmexico.com

SOURCES:
EncyChristmas-2003, p. 598

Celebrated in: Mexico