Christmas in Mexico is a religious holiday, honoring the ‘nativity’ or birth of the Savior. As part of the Christmas celebration, traditional fiestas called Mexican posadas (inns) are held for family, friends, and neighbors. A posada is the reenactment of the Census pilgrimage to Bethlehem by Mary and Joseph (los peregrinos) in search of a room. During the reenactment, the posada hosts act as the inn keepers while their guests act as the pilgrims (los peregrinos). Holding lighted candles, each group takes turns singing verses to each other.
