December at Lake Chapala – Ajijic
December 1, 2008
Christmas is a special time at Lake Chapala, Mexico. Yes, perhaps a bit more special than in other parts of the world. Lake Chapala – Ajijic still has a small town atmosphere; and like Mexico in general has resisted the commercialization of the celebration.
Yes, presents are exchanged, but Santa Claus has not caught on to nearly the degree that he has in the USA or Canada, not that the merchants aren’t trying.
Presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) and most people here go to Mass that evening to celebrate the the Christ Child’s birth.
After Mass, families have the evening meal at home with their family and place the Baby Jesus in the manger in the Nativity scene.
A popular drink served at Christmas time is a type of special drink made from various types of fresh fruit not unlike the spice tea many North Americans serve.
Sometimes the spice tea which will have lumps of the fruit in it is spiked with a bit of rum or brandy (or, of course, tequila!).
At least this is how we do it at my Mexican Mother-in-law’s house.
Now here’s another day not to forget in December if you have Mexican friends or family like I do.
The day is December 28th each year. In Mexico this day is ‘Día de los santos inocentes’ or ‘Day of the Innocent Saints’ and is not unlike April Fool’s Day in the USA or Canada.
Tricks are played on each other or wild stories are told. Even the news media gets involved not unlike the weathermen in the USA seeing Santa on radar.
New Year’s Eve presents another opportunity for a celebration and like most celebrations here a mass is associated with the celebration traditionally held at midnight.
At this mass thanks are given for all the blessings received throughout the year and prayers go up for guidance and blessings for the New Year to come.
Another tradition on News Year’s Eve (also referred to as ‘Nochevieja’) or ‘The Old Night’ is the tradition in which you eat 12 grapes, one with each stroke of the clock sounding the midnight hour.
Each grape represents a month of the coming year. Somehow this is supposed to bring you good luck all year long if you eat all twelve of the grapes.
New Year’s Day, like Christmas Day is usually spent quietly at home with the family.
So, come visit us at this special time of the year. I’ll leave the light on for you (The Christmas lights too !)
