Christmas at Lakeside.............

As the Christmas season goes into full swing here this weekend, there  will be multiple opportunities to attend special events and observe traditional Mexican holiday customs.

The main churches in Ajijic and Chapala stage one-night exhibit-ions of a dozen or more live nativities.

Most of these long-standing practices trace back to the 16th century methods of indoctrination into the Christian faith introduced by Franciscan missionaries in the immediate aftermath of the Spanish conquest.


Posadas

The festivities kick off with nine consecutive days of neighborhood processions known as Las Posadas, running from December 16 through Christmas Eve.

Crowds of youngsters gather each afternoon to reenact the Holy Family’s quest for lodging in Bethlehem. The procession is usually headed by a pair of children dressed for the roles Mary and Joseph, with the Virgin Mother sometimes perched on a live burro. They are followed by other tots representing pastores y pastoras (shepherds and shepherdesses), often decked out in colorful handmade costumes and carrying brightly decorated báculos (walking staffs) and faroles (paper lanterns).

The parade of santos peregrinos (Holy Pilgrims) makes several stops along the way at designated addresses where they croon verses of a traditional litany asking the “inn-keepers” behind the door to provide shelter for the night. Voices from inside, replying in alternate stanzas, turn them away.

At the final destination the hosts chant that there is no room in the posada (inn), but they are welcome to take refuge in the stable. The doors are flung open and all are invited to enter. A happy fiesta ensues, complete with piñata smashing, hand-outs of bolos (packets of sweets), and holiday refreshments.

A very beautiful time of the year here at Lake Chapala - wish you were here to share it with us.  We will miss our families back home this Christmas and we're thankful for Skype which will allow us to visit via the internet!
Merry Christmas!