Feliz Navidad
Christmas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
By: Jim Scherrer
Five centuries ago, Christmas was almost nonexistent in Mexico, in fact, Christianity had not even been introduced into the New World. Native Aztecs were not even aware of the concept of Christendom until 1524 when the Franciscans Twelve (Twelve Apostles of the New Spain) came to Mexico about a decade later, the Dominicans followed.
Shortly after the arrival of Twelve Franciscans, some of the natives began to accept the story of Christ and convert to Christianity. One of these Indians, an indigenous farmer named Cuauhtlatoatzin (The eagle who speaks in Nahuatl) living north of what is now known as Mexico City, said they have witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary on Tepeyac Hill. Our Lady of Guadalupe, as the Virgin Mary came to be known, is today recognized as the Patroness of all America and is the basis for much of the Catholic faith in Mexico. For example, the most dominant landmark in Puerto Vallarta is the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in El Centre.
Clearly, the Franciscans were very impressed with his new convert, moved him and his wife in his new mission and changed its name to Juan Diego (A little easier for them to pronounce!). After that Juan Diego was a witness to the mystical Lady of Tepeyac Hill, who allegedly cured of his uncle terminal illness, the remaining local Indians reasoned that religion should be a very good thing that these intelligent The Spanish had brought with them, but soon abandoned their ancient pagan beliefs in favor of the new teachings of the Catholic Church. With the miracles that these Spanish parents as God had to offer, took the Franciscans only six years of enrolling in the first eight million new believers!
Shortly after news of the emergence of Juan Diego broke through Mexico, Native reconciled (a polite way to say it!) With the Spanish and a new race of people, the mestizo has been created. In fact, the Lady of Guadalupe is usually represented as a Mestiza. At present, it is estimated that between 60-80% of the Mexican population is mestizo and a little over 90% of all Mexicans are Catholic. With well over 100 million Catholics, Mexico ranks second after Brazil with a population of Roman Catholics.
During the 20th century, the Mexican government took a series of measures to separate church and state and nationalized most of the wealth that the church had accumulated over the years, however, Catholicism remains a strong influence in Mexican life today. While influential, certainly not forced anyone or even on the screen. In our 13 years of living in Puerto Vallarta, I've never noticed a priest or a nun in the city, do not wear their habits in public.
Many of the annual Mexican holidays are religious in nature, but Easter and Christmas are the most widely celebrated. We have been fortunate to witness the last 13 Christmas in Puerto Vallarta I can say that is a sight to behold! They begin the season in early December by hanging colored lights and decorations throughout the city. The official holiday season begins on December 12, the birthday of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and lasts until January 6 with the Epiphany or Three Kings (the day of the three kings or magi), and some now refer to this holiday season as the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon!
About 9 days before Christmas, several processions, called Las Posadas began around cities and communities, participants begin their journey to Puerto Vallarta. These processions are a celebration of the search of Joseph and Mary for shelter in Bethlehem and in all convene in El Centro, on the eve of Christmas in the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Children have their colorful piñatas and adult celebrations begin as the entire city center bustling with activity and music. Christmas Day is a day much more quiet and somber, a recovery day!
December 28 is the Day of the Innocents, the equivalent of April Fool's Day in the United States, a day when everyone plays jokes to each other and not the right time to "borrow" money or believe anyone!
Of course, December 31 is another joyous occasion in Vallarta. All the perimeter of the Bay of Banderas lights with amazing fireworks displays average nearly an hour and the parties can be heard throughout the night for all city does not find a more dramatic conclusion at the end of the year. Of course, New Year's Day is a quiet day again as all attempts to recover!
The final holiday of Christmas is the season of Epiphany on January 6 to celebrate the arrival of the Magi. Children receive gifts and everyone enjoys a cake called Rosca de Reyes (Kings Bread). Usually, not a doll buried in very small roll of bread and the person receiving the piece that contains the doll is responsible hosting the party on February 2, Candlemas Day. (Give them credit, they have plenty of reasons for planning the next!)
Now you know why you refer to the Christmas season as a marathon! Indeed, in Mexico, never known as "holidays Winter Solstice, "" non-denominational holiday season ", or any other political correct term is Christmas time!
It mention that there are some things missing, obviously, in Puerto Vallarta during this holiday season. Beautiful snow covered pine trees and deep snow drifts for sleigh Santa is where you are, of course, were probably lacking in Bethlehem 2000 years ago! The annual minimum temperature during the holidays is 65 ° F and the average high temperature is 80 ° F, resulting in average daily temperature for this holiday season 72 ° F with blue skies and zero chance of rain it just does not get any better than this!
If you want your environment more like that you're used to, you can buy all sizes of artificial Christmas trees at Sam's Club, Costco, Home Depot or Wal-Mart, better yet, you can hang lights around the beautiful palm trees. Search for poinsettias extra touch of Christmas atmosphere is not a problem, after all, poinsettias are indigenous to Mexico and are abundant in Vallarta. Throw in a few bougainvillea, hibiscus, birds of paradise, geraniums, orchids, and many other tropical flowers (all in full bloom during the holidays) and have the most beautiful Christmas you've ever experienced.
So what are you waiting for? Vallarta is a short 2-3 hour flight from most U.S. cities and more of 50 international flights arriving daily, is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to enjoy the best holiday season of your life. With perfect weather, the local English very hospitable, friendly and helpful speech welcoming visitors with open arms, drinking water and food, safety and security a top priority, and lots of fun, not have a Merrier Christmas anywhere, as they say south of the border, Merry Christmas!
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New Dora the Explorer Feliz Navidad Christmas Doll Toy Fisher Price Plays Music $14.99 |
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JOSE FELICIANO – FELIZ NAVIDAD (CD 2004) NEW $6.99 |
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Sleeping Beauty Castle FELIZ NAVIDAD (Merry Christmas) Disney Pin DLR $7.95 |
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Boots Randolph , Audio CD, Te Deseamos Una Feliz Navidad $3.89 |
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Feliz Navidad CD Christmas classic with latin flair never opened 3 cd set $0.06 |
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Lot of 5 Painted Ponies Penguin Feliz Navidad Pony 1E $270.00 |
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LS Knit top and Leggings Feliz Navidad 4/5 GC8 $8.00 |
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Feliz Navidad Pet Dog or Cat Bandana XS S M L – FREE SHIPPING $6.00 |
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Feliz Navidad Pet Dog or Cat Bandana XS S M L – FREE SHIPPING $7.00 |
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Feliz Navidad Pet Dog or Cat Bandana XS S M L – FREE SHIPPING $5.00 |
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Feliz Navidad 18″ Balloon Mylar Foil Christmas Lights Peppers Spanish Party $3.22 |
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Feliz Navidad 18″ Balloon Mylar Foil Christmas Poinsettia Candle Spanish Party $3.88 |
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Feliz Navidad cd Ric Rick Babtist/Andy Street & The Tijuana Sound CHRISTMAS $6.98 |
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GUITARREROS, DIE – FELIZ NAVIDAD – CD ALBUM JMG-RECORDS $19.99 |
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FELIZ NAVIDAD EARRINGS W/ 14kt Gold Fill Ear wires $9.97 |
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Troll Doll Russ 3″ I Wish You a Merry Christmas “Feliz Navidad” Ornament $24.99 |
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FELIZ NAVIDAD 9 MM ITALIAN CHARM MERRY CHRISTMAS LINKS $3.32 |
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Hallmark 2009 Feliz Navidad Santa Claus Ornament Music $14.95 |
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New Box of Spanish Language Christmas Cards & Envelopes Feliz Navidad Christian $2.99 |
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2009 HALLMARK ORNAMENT FELIZ NAVIDAD PHOTO HOLDER NIB $4.49 |
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Hallmark 1998 Feliz Navidad Ornament – NEW $5.94 |
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JOSE FELICIANO~FELIZ NAVIDAD b/w THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY~1970-7″ 45 RPM~EX. $0.99 |
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2007 Hallmark Looney Tunes Speedy Gonzales Feliz Navidad Dated Ornament $19.99 |
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14KT GOLD EP FELIZ NAVIDAD 3D CHARM PENDANT WITH FREE ROPE CHAIN HOLIDAY SPECIAL $7.95 |
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DEPARTMENT 56 Christmas Around the World-FELIZ NAVIDAD North Pole Series Dept 56 $5.99 |
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FELIZ NAVIDAD not merry christmas ONE 42″ BALLOON TIMMY angel PRECIOUS MOMENTS $2.99 |
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MARSHALLS Gift Card”Feliz Navidad” COLLECTIBLE NO VALUE $1.99 |
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TACO BELL plush 6″ TALKING CHIHUAHUA Dog XMas “Feliz Navidad Amigos” SEALED $8.99 |
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Vintage Hallmark Keepsake Feliz Navidad; Dated 1993 $6.50 |
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JOSE FELICIANO Feliz Navidad Cherry Tree Carol Rare LP $21.99 |
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Maverick Entertainment Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad [dvd] [sp] $12.95 |
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FELIZ NAVIDAD–2005 $5.00 |
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CARLTON 2005 “FELIZ NAVIDAD” Musical NIB $19.99 |
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Feliz Navidad Novelty Metal Christmas Holiday Street Sign Quality Printed 3″ x 1 $12.99 |
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MELE KALIKIMAKA Feliz Navidad BUON NATALE Joyeux Noel $20.99 |
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MELE KALIKIMAKA Feliz Navidad BUON NATALE Joyeux Noel $20.99 |
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MELE KALIKIMAKA Feliz Navidad BUON NATALE Joyeux Noel $20.99 |
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MELE KALIKIMAKA Feliz Navidad BUON NATALE Joyeux Noel $20.99 |
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JOSE FELICIANO “FELIZ NAVIDAD & DESTINY” 45 CHILE 1970 $19.99 |
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Hallmark 2009 Feliz Navidad Santa Ornament MIB $8.95 |
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HALLMARK 1994 FELIZ NAVIDAD ~SPANISH CHIHUAHUA~KEEPSAKE ORNAMENT~HTF $15.95 |
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HALLMARK FELIZ NAVIDAD MAGIC ORNAMENT 2009 NIB $10.00 |
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Disney FELIZ NAVIDAD MICKEY MINNIE PIN CHRISTMAS CARD $21.99 |
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Hallmark 2005 Feliz Navidad Tree of Life Ornament $10.00 |
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Hallmark 1997 Feliz Navidad Mouse in Caballero Ornament $10.00 |
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Hallmark 1992 Feliz Navidad Ornament Mouse $8.00 |
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Hallmark 2000 Feliz Navidad Ornament Mouse with Maracas $10.00 |
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Hallmark 1990 Feliz Navidad Mouse Ornament $8.00 |
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Hallmark 2009 Feliz Navidad Santa w/Music By Jose Feliciano $11.00 |
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Feliz Navidad Swooper Flag 16ft Tall Business Banner $29.50 |
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FELIZ FROG NAVIDAD CHRISTMAS WELCOME MAT / ACCENT RUG ~ 18″ x 27″ ~ NEW $9.99 |
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1991 Feliz Navidad-Bunny Rabbit-BUY 2 or MORE HALLMARK KEEPSAKE=1 SHIPPING $2.99 |
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Hallmark Looney Tunes Speedy Gonzales Feliz Navidad Christmas Ornament Keepsake $6.99 |
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HALLMARK 2009 FELIZ NAVIDAD (SANTA) MAGIC $7.50 |
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HALLMARK CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT “FELIZ NAVIDAD 1991″ W/BOX MINIATURE $9.49 |
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2009 Hallmark Feliz Navidad Ornament Magic Music $16.50 |
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2009 Hallmark Feliz Navidad! Ornament Photo Holder HTF $4.99 |
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2009 Hallmark Feliz Navidad! Ornament Photo Holder HTF $0.99 |
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“Feliz Navidad” around star, ornaments; 5 stamps; Card Scrapbook Journal Altered $1.39 |
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1995 Hallmark Feliz Navidad $5.00 |
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Hallmark Feliz Navidad 2009 Ornament **MAGIC** Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano $7.95 |
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Hallmark Speedy Style Christmas Ornament 2006 Feliz Navidad *Looney Tunes* $7.95 |
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Hallmark Feliz Navidad Ornament 1992 $9.95 |
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Hallmark Feliz Navidad Ornament 2009 Photo Holder $5.95 |
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RIC BAPTIST/Andy Street/TIJUANA SOUND-Feliz Navidad-Cd $6.99 |
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Nice FELIZ NAVIDAD Spain Charm Silver 925 Christmas $17.32 |
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HTF Feliz Navidad 3″ Christmas ORNAMENT Russ Troll NEW – FREE SHIPPING $22.05 |
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Feliz Navidad – Various (Egrem Records) $19.95 |
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TRAIL OF PAINTED PONIES FELIZ NAVIDAD ORNAMENT W/ DECORATIVE TIN ~RETIRED!! $21.90 |
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Radko FELIZ NAVIDAD Southwest Mexican ornament NEW RETIRED SALE $29.99 |