Do you recognize this plant? What is it´s name? Where does it come from?

The pointsettia. The pointsettia is actually native to Mexico. Every year, thousands of pointsettias are brought to the United States for the Christmas season. The pointsettia is named after Joel Pointset, an American ambassador that introduced the United States to the plant when he brought it back from Mexico. In Mexico though, it is called “La flor de noche buena” or the Christmas Eve flower…let´s find out why.

La leyenda de la noche buena Once upon a time there lived poor Mexican girl named Pepita who had no gift to present to the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. (In Mexico it is customary to bring a gift to set beside the baby Jesus figurine at Church on Christmas eve). As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.

Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel. As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.

Now let´s make our own Flores de Noche Buena Make a Christmas card with a picture of a pointsettia. Decorate the card and make it pretty. Tape the story of Pepita onto the inside of the card. Give the card to your parents, your friends, or a teacher.

¡Feliz Navidad! Christmas in México

Las Posadas Christmas festivities begin with Las Posadas, nine consecutive days of candelight processions and lively parties starting December 16. In villages and urban neighborhoods throughout Mexico youngsters gather each afternoon to reenact the holy family's quest for lodging in Bethlehem. The procession is headed by a young Virgen María, often perched on a live burro, led by an equally tiny San José. They are followed by other children protraying angels, the Santos Reyes (Three Kings), and a host of pastores y pastoras (shepherds and shepherdesses), all usually decked out in colorful handmade costumes and carrying brightly decorated báculos (walking staffs) or faroles (paper lanterns).

Las Posadas The parade of Santos Peregrinos (Holy Pilgrims) stops at a designated house to sing a traditional song (Link to words & music) in which the Holy Family requests shelter for the night and those waiting behind the closed door turn them away. They proceed to a second home where the scene is repeated. At the third stop the pilgrims are told that while there is no room in the posada (inn), they are welcome to stay in the stable. The doors are flung open and all are invited to enter.

Las Posadas Why do Mexicans celebrate this way? This is an active way of teaching children the story of the Nativity, but the main attraction is the merrymaking that follows, above all the chance to engage in the ruthless smashing of piñatas and a mad scramble for the shower of fruits, sugar cane, peanuts and candies released from within.

El Nacimiento In most Mexican homes the principal holiday adornment is el Nacimiento (Nativity scene). The focal point, naturally, is a stable where clay or plaster figurines of the Holy Family are sheltered. The scene may also include an angel, Los Reyes Magos (the Magi), shepherds and their flocks, and assorted other people and livestock. Nacimientos come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and it is not strange for one to take up an entire room, often near the front of the house so that it is easy to be seen by neighbors and passersby. The scene will not be completed until Christmas Eve when the newborn Baby Jesus is finally laid in the manger bed.

El Nacimiento What about a Christmas tree? Nowadays a decorated Christmas tree may be incorporated in the Nacimiento or set up elsewhere in the home. Pine trees are not native to Mexico, so they are pretty expensive. For that reason the typical arbolito (little tree) is often an artificial one, a bare branch cut from a tree, or some type of shrub collected from the countryside.

La Noche Buena The biggest holiday celebrations occur on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) with the celebration of a late-night Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass). Afterwards families head home for a traditional Christmas supper which may feature simple homemade tamales and atole (corn gruel). A more exotic feast might include cod, roast turkey, or ham. Ponche (a hot fruit punch), sidra (sparkling cider) or other spirits are served for the holiday brindis (toast). The evening is rounded out with the opening of gifts and, for the children, piñatas and luces de Belen (sparklers). As these happy family gatherings generally last into the wee hours, December 25th is set aside as a day to rest and enjoy el recalentado (leftovers).

La Noche Buena What about Santa Clause? Santa Claus and the clatter of reindeer hooves on the roof do not generally figure into the scheme of Navidad. A Mexican child´s holiday wishlist is directed instead to el Niño Dios (the Holy Child) for Christmas Eve and the Reyes Magos (Magi) for Three Kings Day.

Los Santos Inocentes December 28, Day of the Holy Innocents, is a religious commemoration of King Herod's ordering the slaughter of all male infants in his kingdom, intended to include the Christ Child. In Mexico it is celebrated as day similar to April Fool's, an occasion for jokes and pranks.

El Día de los Reyes The Christmas season continues long after Christmas. On January 6th Mexican celebrate El Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) which commemorates the arrival in Bethlehem of Wise Men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.Children throughout Mexico anxiously await waking up January 6th to find toys and gifts left by the Reyes Magos (Magi). In some regions it is customary to leave out shoes where treasures may be deposited by the visiting Wise Men.

El Día de los Reyes A special treat served on this day is the Rosca de Reyes -- a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits. Tiny figures of babies are hidden in the dough before baking. There is much excitement as each person cuts his or her own slice because whoever gets a piece containing a baby has to host another party on or before Candlemas, celebrated on February 2, when Mexico's holiday season finally comes to an end.

Leaving out cookies and milk Christmas tree Presents Stockings Think about how you celebrate Christmas here in the United States…what are some of your traditions? What do you eat? What images come to mind? Santa Clause Snow Reindeer Leaving out cookies and milk Christmas tree Presents Stockings Candy canes Family

El nacimiento (nativity scenes) Los reyes magos (the three wise kings) Now think about how to celebrate Christmas in Mexico. What are some of the traditions? What do they eat? What images come to mind? Posadas El nacimiento (nativity scenes) Los reyes magos (the three wise kings) Piñatas Presents Leaving out shoes Rosca de reyes (the king´s bread) La misa de gallo (midnight mass)

How are Mexican traditions similar to American traditions How are Mexican traditions similar to American traditions? How are they different? Mexican traditions are very much centered around religion, in particular Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, with less emphasis on giving and receiving presents. In the United States, the holiday is centered around a spirit of cheerfulness and goodwill and images of Santa Clause, with a big emphasis on giving and receiving presents. In both countries spending time with family and eating good food are very important during the Christmas season.