It’s not Christmas in a Mexican household without a nacimiento (nativity scene). Even in my un-festive apartment, we have a tiny nacimiento. The wood-carved nacimiento above is the only indicator — save for a few Christmas cards lying around — that it’s Christmas season.
I find it somewhat ironic that my place is so un-festive considering I’m the daughter of people who go all out for Christmas. The tree and lights go up right after Thanksgiving and our nacimiento (combined with a Santa’s Village, how’s that for acculturation?) have always been a source of pride for my family. We even have decorations in the bathrooms!
Still, I think my favorite Christmas decoration is the nacimiento. I love how every family does it a little differently. Check out some more nacimientos from Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Hacienda Heights and Chicago.
Outside of the jardín and the centro municipal in Jerez, Zacatecas (December 2005)
Tío Pili’s house in el Cargadero, Zacatecas (December 2005)
At the Jerez, Zacatecas home of some relatives of my tío Pancho. The man in the photo, Don Pancho (my tío’s father), recently passed away. (December 2005)
At the rancho Los Laureles in Salamanca, Guanajuato (December 2005)
At my family’s home in Hacienda Heights. Baby Jesus is missing because this was taken before Christmas (December 2007).
At the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago (April 2007)
I know someone who’s mom makes sure all kinds of stuff go into the nativity. One year, those watching over the birth included a Batman action figure.
I was recently told that the missing baby must be a “mexican” thing. My favorite is the one from your Tio Pili’s house.
Feliz Navidad!
I know the reason for at least one missing baby jesus in City Terrace, but I refuse to answer any more questions until I speak to my lawyer!
That blanket Don Pancho is using looks amazingly comfortable.
the baby Jesus isn’t born until Dec. 25, therefore it shouldn’t be out. this is why the jesus bandit is swiping them.
Feliz Navidad Cindy!
happy christmas cindy =)
We’ve got one of these in the lobby of our apartment building. It looks more like a putt-putt golf course than a nativity scene though. It’s the ultimate cheese. Feliz navidad cindylu.
these are all very beautiful, but there’s something special about the 3rd pic for me… i truly like it. feliz navidad lady
I think maybe once you start your own family you’ll get into it more. I know before I got married I didn’t care for it much. Now that we have a baby too, we want to make it special for her to remember. Ya know? Feliz Navidad!
http://carissa3.blogspot.com/2007/12/family-traditions.html
Here is a link for a really cute one!