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Pan American experiences
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The piñata, amidst colors and songs, symbolizes shared joy and unity during Mexican posadas. Photo by Israel Torres/Pexels.
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MEXICO -- MEXICO CITY -----------------------855[EXPERIENCE] | |||
The Christmas Posadas of Mexico CityA Tradition Connecting Modern Mexico with Its PreHispanic PastBy Estefanía Muriel for Ruta Pantera on 12/28/2025 10:16:57 AM |
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| From the moment the first twinkling lights of December appear, a question arises in the minds of visitors as they wander the streets and neighborhoods of Mexico City at Christmas time: What is it about the posadas that makes them such a special and emotional ritual year after year? More than just a party, these celebrations are a living reenactment of an ancient history that has evolved from its colonial roots to take on contemporary forms that fuse faith, community, and festivity.
Walking through neighborhoods like Roma, Coyoacán, or San Ángel in December, you're greeted by a kaleidoscope of Christmas carols, colorful lights, and the aromas of punch and tamales. Families, schools, parishes, and neighborhood groups organize to celebrate Las Posadas, each night with their own unique character. But where did this tradition originate, and how has it adapted to a modern metropolis like Mexico City? The answer unfolds in a journey from the 16th century to the present day, where tradition coexists with modern urban life and community. From the Colonial Novena to Neighborhood Life The word posada comes from Spanish and literally means "lodging" or "inn," referring to the biblical story of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to spend the night before the birth of Jesus. This narrative became the symbolic basis for the posadas we know today in Mexico. The posadas began to take shape in Mexico during the colonial period. In 1586, the Augustinian friar Diego de Soria, from the convent of Acolman, near Mexico City, obtained papal permission to celebrate Christmas Masses between December 16 and 24, accompanied by reenactments of Mary and Joseph's search for lodging. Over time, these religious ceremonies moved beyond the churches and began to be celebrated in neighborhoods, haciendas, and homes, becoming deeply rooted in the daily life of Mexican towns and cities. |
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This was not simply a transfer of religious rituals to secular spaces. The tradition absorbed pre-Hispanic cultural elements, such as the Panquetzaliztli festivities, a prehispanic winter solstice celebration that coincided with December and honored Huitzilopochtli, the sun and war god, reinforcing the sense of community through concerts, banquets, and processions. In this way, the posadas in Mexico transformed into a cultural synthesis that combines Christian faith with local festive practices.
The Ritual of Asking for Lodging and its Symbolic Meaning The heart of the tradition unfolds each night between December 16th and 24th: a procession of neighbors, children dressed as angels and shepherds, and adults carrying candles, travels from house to house or community gathering place. Upon arrival, they sing traditional songs like Pidiendo posada (Asking for Lodging), requesting shelter for Mary and Joseph. The host responds with verses denying them lodging, until finally, at the last stop of the night, the group is granted entry. This is how Mexican posadas are celebrated: songs, lights, food, and community that keep the tradition alive. Photo by Wonderhunt on Unsplash. This act of "asking for lodging" is much more than a Christmas dramatization; it symbolizes profound values that tradition attributes to each day of the novena, such as humility, charity, and generosity, collectively representing the search for acceptance and welcome. Once inside, the celebration becomes festive: prayers, carols, hot punch, tamales, and the traditional piñata mark the community gathering, reminding everyone of the importance of social unity during times of celebration. Modern Versions in Mexico City In Mexico City, with its diverse urban fabric, the posadas have adopted unique expressions that reflect metropolitan life without losing their traditional essence. In neighborhoods with a strong sense of community, such as San Rafael or Xochimilco, neighborhood groups still organize rounds that go from house to house and plaza to plaza singing and carrying candles, keeping alive the traditional way of asking for lodging. In these celebrations, it is common to see adults and children actively participating, blending prayers with music and contemporary artistic elements. The city's parishes and cultural centers have also reinterpreted the tradition, promoting public posadas that combine liturgical acts, theater, and music in open spaces, such as main squares or the atriums of old churches. This approach reflects a cosmopolitan city where the interaction between faith, culture, and entertainment seeks to include residents of different ages and backgrounds. Moreover, in school and business settings, posadas have become spaces for social interaction and celebration. Although some modern versions lose some of the original meaning of the religious pilgrimage, they retain the spirit of community by bringing families and colleagues together around shared activities, such as breaking piñatas, enjoying traditional dishes, or exchanging good wishes. Technology and social media have also contributed to renewing the tradition: digital invitations, live broadcasts of community posadas and the use of applications to coordinate events have modernized the logistics without blurring the symbolic value of the celebration. A Living Tradition Between Memory and Modernity The posadas in Mexico City represent a dynamic convergence of history, faith, and urban sociability. Although their origins can be traced back to 16th-century religious practices and the colonial evangelization of the Valley of Mexico, today the tradition reinvents itself every December in streets, homes, and plazas, keeping cultural roots alive while embracing contemporary forms of social interaction. This fusion of the old and the new ensures that the posadas remain a significant cultural experience that not only commemorates a sacred narrative but also strengthens the bonds between those who celebrate it. |
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References: Wikipedia contributors. (2025). Inns . Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Posadas Wikipedia contributors. (2025). The Inns . Wikipedia . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Posadas Visiting Mexico. (sf). Las posadas: A Mexican Christmas tradition . https://visitingmexico.com/las-posadas/ Mexico News Daily. (2021). First: Why do Mexicans celebrate posadas? https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/primer-why-do-mexicans-celebrate-posadas/ The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025). The Inns . Encyclopaedia Britannica . https://www.britannica.com/topic/Las-Posadas National Autonomous University of Mexico. (2021). Mexican Posadas: Origin and History . UNAM Global . https://unamglobal.unam.mx/global_revista/posadas-mexicanas-origen-historia/ |
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