| Five centuries ago, Christmas was virtually | | | | These processions are a celebration of Joseph |
| nonexistent in Mexico; in fact, Christianity had not | | | | and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem and |
| even been introduced to the New World. The | | | | they all convene in El Centro on Christmas Eve at |
| native Aztec Indians weren't even aware of the | | | | the Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The children |
| concept of Christianity until 1524, when Twelve | | | | have their colorful piñatas and the adult |
| Franciscans (Twelve Apostles of New Spain) | | | | celebrations begin as the entire downtown area |
| came to Mexico; about a decade later, the | | | | bustles with activity and music. Christmas Day is a |
| Dominicans followed. | | | | much more quiet and somber day; a day of |
| Soon after the arrival of the Twelve Franciscans, | | | | recovery! |
| some of the native Indians began accepting the | | | | December 28th is the Day of the Innocents, the |
| story of Christ and converting to Christianity. One | | | | equivalent of April Fool's Day in the United States; |
| such Indian, an indigenous farmer named | | | | a day when everyone plays practical jokes on |
| Cuauhtlatoatzin (the talking eagle in the Nahuatl | | | | each other and not an appropriate time to "loan" |
| language) living north of what is now known as | | | | money or believe anyone! |
| Mexico City, claimed to have witnessed an | | | | Of course, December 31st is another joyful |
| apparition of the Virgin Mary on Tepayac Hill. Our | | | | occasion in Vallarta. The entire perimeter of |
| Lady of Guadalupe, as the Virgin Mary came to | | | | Banderas Bay lights up with incredible fireworks |
| be known, is to this day recognized as the Patron | | | | displays lasting almost a half an hour and fiestas |
| Saint of all the Americas and is the basis for | | | | can be heard all night long throughout the city; |
| much of the Catholic faith throughout Mexico. As | | | | you'll not see a more spectacular New Year's Eve |
| an example, the most predominate historical | | | | celebration. Of course, New Year's Day is another |
| landmark in Puerto Vallarta is the Our Lady of | | | | quiet day as everyone again tries to recover! |
| Guadalupe church in El Centro. | | | | The final Christmas season fiesta is that of |
| Evidently the Franciscans were quite impressed | | | | Epiphany on January 6th celebrating the arrival of |
| with their new convert; they moved him and his | | | | the Three Wise Men. The children receive gifts |
| wife into their new mission and changed his name | | | | and everyone enjoys a pastry called La Rosca De |
| to Juan Diego (a bit easier for them to | | | | Reyes (bread of the kings). Typically, there is a |
| pronounce!). After Juan Diego witnessed the | | | | very small doll buried in the bread roll and the |
| mystical Lady on Tepayac Hill who supposedly | | | | person that gets the piece containing the doll is |
| cured his uncle of a terminal illness, the rest of | | | | responsible for hosting the next fiesta on |
| the local Indians reasoned that it must be an | | | | February 2nd, the Day of Candlemas. (You've got |
| awfully good religion that these intelligent | | | | to give them credit; they have plenty of reasons |
| Spaniards had brought to them; they soon | | | | for planning the next fiesta!) |
| dumped their ancient pagan beliefs in favor of the | | | | Now you know why they refer to Christmas |
| new Catholic Church teachings. With the miracles | | | | Season as a Marathon! By the way, in Mexico, it's |
| that these Spanish God-like Fathers had to offer, | | | | never referred to as "Winter Solstice Holidays", |
| it took the Franciscans only six years to sign up | | | | "Non-Denominational Festivities Season", or by any |
| the first eight million new believers! | | | | other politically correct term; it's Christmas |
| Soon after news of Juan Diego's apparition made | | | | Season! |
| its way around Mexico, the native Indians | | | | It should be mentioned that there are a few |
| reconciled (a polite way of putting it!) with the | | | | things obviously missing in Puerto Vallarta during |
| Spaniards and a new race of people, the Mestizo, | | | | this season of celebration. Beautiful snow covered |
| was created. In fact, the Lady of Guadalupe is | | | | pine trees and deep snow drifts for Santa's sled |
| generally depicted as a Mestiza. Today, it is | | | | are nowhere to be found; of course, they were |
| estimated that anywhere from 60-80% of the | | | | probably also lacking 2,000 years ago in |
| Mexican population is Mestizo and slightly more | | | | Bethlehem! The average daily low temperature |
| than 90% of all Mexicans are Catholic. With well in | | | | during the holidays is 65°F and the average |
| excess of 100 million Catholics, Mexico ranks | | | | high temperature is 80°F, resulting in the |
| second only to Brazil with its population of Roman | | | | average daily temperature for this festive season |
| Catholics. | | | | of 72°F with clear blue skies and zero chance |
| During the 20th century, the Mexican government | | | | of rain; it just doesn't get any better than this! |
| took a number of steps to separate church from | | | | If you want your surroundings to look more like |
| state and also nationalized much of the wealth | | | | that to which you're accustomed, you can |
| that the church had accumulated over the years; | | | | purchase all sizes of artificial Christmas trees at |
| however Catholicism continues to have a strong | | | | Sam's Club, Costco, Home Depot, or Wal-Mart; |
| influence in Mexican life today. Although it's | | | | better yet, you can just hang your lights all over |
| influential, it's certainly not forced on anyone or | | | | the beautiful palms. Finding poinsettias for that |
| even on display. In our 13 years of living in | | | | additional touch of Christmas ambiance is not a |
| Vallarta, we've never noticed a priest or nun in | | | | problem; after all, poinsettias are indigenous to |
| the city; they do not wear their habits in public. | | | | Mexico and are abundant in Vallarta. Throw in a |
| Many of the annual Mexican fiestas are religious | | | | few bougainvilleas, hibiscus, birds of Paradise, |
| by nature but Easter and Christmas are the most | | | | geraniums, orchids, and numerous other tropical |
| widely celebrated. We have been fortunate | | | | flowers (all in full bloom over the holidays) and |
| enough to witness the past 13 Christmases in PV | | | | you'll have the most beautiful Christmas you've |
| and can say that it's a sight to behold! They start | | | | ever experienced. |
| the season early in December by hanging colorful | | | | So, what are you waiting for? Vallarta's a short |
| lights and decorations throughout the city. The | | | | 2-3 hour flight from most US cities and with more |
| official holiday season begins on December 12th, | | | | than 50 international flights arriving daily, it's a |
| the birthday of the Lady of Guadalupe, and lasts | | | | simple and relatively inexpensive way to enjoy |
| until January 6th with Epiphany or Los Reyes | | | | the best holiday season of your life. With perfect |
| Magos (the day of the three kings or wise men); | | | | weather, very hospitable, gentle, and courteous |
| some now refer to this holiday season as the | | | | English speaking locals inviting visitors with open |
| Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon! | | | | arms, clean water and food, safety and security |
| Approximately 9 days before Christmas, various | | | | a major priority, and fun galore, you'll not have a |
| processions, called Las Posadas, are initiated in | | | | Merrier Christmas anywhere; as they say south |
| surrounding cities and communities as the | | | | of the border, Feliz Navidad! |
| participants begin their walk to Puerto Vallarta. | | | | |