In pre-Hispanic Mexico they celebrated the advent of Huitzilopochtli (God of War) during the winter season. This time was called Panquetzaliztli and lasted from December 16 to 26.
Like so many mexican traditions, the history of Christmas has its origin in the spanish colonization.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the friars in charge of converting the natives of the New World to Catholicism sought a common ground with the pre-Hispanic religions, which they considered “pagan.”
They adapted the prehispanic belief or tradition to fit with Christianity and if necessary, they mixed them; and replaced the old beliefs and celebrations with the new Christianized versions.
Thus, this celebration was changing due to the evangelization that took place in Mexico. The image of Huitzilopochtli was replaced by that of María and José, they changed the Aztec tradition for festivals called “misas de aguinaldo”, which read passages and representations alluding to nativity.
Once the guests of this celebration have gathered, they were ready to represent the request for accommodation made by Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary on their pilgrimage from the city of Nazareth on the way to Bethlehem.
To symbolize this event the guests make two groups, one of them must leave the house accompanied by figures representing the pilgrims, Joseph and Mary, who ask for shelter at the door singing litany that is answered by those inside, representing to those who give the inn.
In these celebrations small gifts were given to attendees known as “aguinaldos”, hence that benefit that is given by law in Mexico in which you receive an “extra money” is called the same.
When the song ends, the coexistence begins in which you can eat and drink, and then “break the piñata”, an essential element in the inns, the seven-pointed piñata represented the evil temptations through the seven deadly sins and to break it blindly represented the triumph of virtue over temptation, and the reward or fair reward consisted of the diversity of fruits and sweets that fell from the interior of the piñata (from above) to the delight of participants.
Although the original reason has to do with the teaching of Christian doctrine, Mexicans now celebrate Christmas posadas as a way to live with neighbors, friends, co-workers and family.
Check here the tours and schedules of the public inns of our beautiful city and participate in these traditions.