Advertisements

Christmas Reading Comprehension

Free Printable 3rd, 4th, or 5th Grade Story with Interactive Review Questions. Read and test comprehension online or print and use offline. Great for homeschool or distance learning.

Mexican Christmas Traditions

Christmas in Mexico is quite different than in the rest of North America. The Mexican Christmas season is much longer. It begins on December 12th and lasts until January 6th.

Each night, from December 16th until Christmas Eve, Mexicans have "posada" processions to remember the Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem. They march to friends' and relatives' homes where they enjoy food and fun. For children, the best part of Las Posadas is the piñata party. They take turns trying to break open the special Christmas piñata and then grab all the gifts and treats that spill out.

On the last night of Las Posadas, Christmas Eve, the procession leads to the church, where midnight mass is held. After mass, the church bells ring and fireworks light up the sky.

Many Mexican children receive gifts twice during the Christmas season - once on Christmas Eve from Santa Claus, then again on January 6 from the Three Kings (Reyes Magos).

The Christmas season ends with a big supper on January 6. Families often eat a special cake, Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings' Cake), which has a tiny figure of a baby hidden in it. Whoever finds the figure in their slice is the person who must take it to the church to be blessed.

Although Christmas Trees are becoming more popular in Mexico, the most important Christmas decoration is the nativity scene (nacimiento). Nacimientos are everywhere and usually stay set up until the beginning of February. Also very common are poinsettia flowers, which, according to legend, are the "flowers of the holy night."

As they say in Mexico, "Feliz Navidad!"


Source: worksheetsplus.com/Christmas/XmasMexico.html Mexican Christmas Traditions
©Courseware Solutions  Wordville.com for Fun English Language Arts Learning

When does the Mexican Christmas season begin?
December 8
December 12
December 24
December 12 When does the Mexican Christmas season end?
December 25
January 1
January 6
January 6 When is the first posada?
December 16
December 24
January 5
December 16 What is the nightly procession to friends' and relatives' homes called?
piñata
Las Posadas
nacimiento
Las Posadas The posada on Christmas Eve leads to
a piñata party
midnight mass at the church
a Reyes Magos feast
midnight mass at the church What do children like best about Las Posadas?
breaking the piñata
eating cake
walking a lot
breaking the piñata When do children get gifts from Santa?
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
January 6
Christmas Eve When do children get gifts from los Reyes Magos?
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Three Kings Day
Three Kings Day How do Mexicans say Merry Christmas?
Rosca de Reyes
Feliz Navidad
Nacimiento
Feliz Navidad What is a poinsettia?
a traditional Mexican Christmas flower
a special cake eaten on Three Kings Day
a nativity scene
a traditional Mexican Christmas flower What is Rosca de Reyes?
a Christmas flower
a special cake eaten on Three Kings Day
a nativity scene
a special cake eaten on Three Kings Day What is a nacimiento?
a traditional Mexican Christmas flower
a special cake eaten on Three Kings Day
a nativity scene
a nativity scene

©Courseware Solutions   Wordville.com for Fun English Language Arts Learning




Advertisements
Advertisements