In Mexico Christmas isn't over until February 2. In Mexico Día de la Candelaria on February 2 is a follow-up to the festivities of King's Day on January 6th. On King's Day, a special bread is served. Inside the bread several small plastic figures are hidden. Each person takes his turn cutting a piece of the rosca (the special bread).
If a person cuts the bread and finds one of these plastic dolls, that represent baby Jesus, inside his piece, he is supposed to host a party on February 2.
At this party on February 2, tamales and atole (a corn starch based drink) are served.February 2 is forty days after Christmas and is celebrated in Mexico as the day that the baby Jesus was presented at the temple. In Mexico this holiday is celebrated as Dia de la Candelaria, known as Candlemas in English, because on this day, people bring candles to church to be blessed.
Another custom that takes place in traditional churches in Mexico on February 2 is that families bring an image of the Christ child to church. This doll is first placed in the nativity scene on Christmas Eve and then on February 2 the doll is dressed in new clothes and presented in the church.
So even though Christmas was 39 days ago, the season will not be over until tomorrow--February 2.
3 comments:
The Mexican celebration makes a lot more sense than Groundhog Day, which we "celebrate" on Feb. 2. Are you wishing that you were here in Chicago tonight with the howling wind and snow? :-)
Do you remember the snowstorm of January 1979? This was more or less a replay of that.
I remember vividly the snowstorms of 1967, 1979, 1999. I'm glad I'm not around to experience this one.
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