From Visit Albuquerque:
New Mexico is rich with Spanish and Mexican history, which has shaped the holidays in our state. Early European missionaries taught the natives the story of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter and of Jesus’ birth. Later in the 18th Century, early New Mexico settlers established themselves along the Rio Grande and they celebrated Christmas by religiously observing what was called a novenario, a symbolic observance.
These festivities are now known collectively as Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration from December 16th to December 24th, representing the nine months Jesus was in the womb. New Mexicans today typically celebrate the Posadas on Christmas Eve where it has since moved from churchyards to neighborhood parties acted out by groups of carolers dressed up like Mary, Joseph and angels who sing songs begging to be let inside. The neighbors usually sing back a response and offer them shelter in their homes where they all celebrate the special birth with more music and, of course, food.
From the Las Cruces Sun News:
Posadas are a Mexican tradition that has been celebrated for hundreds of years which tells the story of the nativity of Jesus. The celebration typically lasts for nine days (called the novena) during the Christmas season beginning Dec. 16 and ending on Christmas Eve. During posadas, two people dress up as Mary and Joseph in a reenactment of the anticipation of the birth of Jesus at the inn in Bethlehem surrounded by barn animals and the three wise men. Posadas are usually performed at a church or even someone's home. After the posada, celebrants usually have a party to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Depending on which part of New Mexico you're from, luminarias (southern New Mexico) or farolitos (northern New Mexico) light neighborhoods during the holidays. More commonly called luminarias, these little lanterns consist of a candle set in a small paper bag weighted with sand. Luminaria/farolito displays are common throughout New Mexico. San Juan College in Farmington, organizes a large annual farolito display, most recently consisting of around 30,000 farolitos displayed on campus. In Las Cruces, the 35th annual Noche de Luminarias event at New Mexico State University offered the community a chance to witness more than 7,250 luminarias illuminate the NMSU campus.
Food in New Mexico during the holidays are a true representation of how the state celebrates Christmas differently than everyone else. True New Mexicans know tamales are a holiday staple in the southwest at family gatherings as well as posole and biscochitos. The family table just isn't the same without these tasty, must have New Mexico treats. Posole, which literally translates to "hominy," is a traditional soup or stew made from hominy, with meat, and can be seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce or cabbage, chile, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes. The Mexican soup is craved by many families during the holidays. After you're done munching on some tamales and posole, try some biscochitos. Many argue there's nothing more New Mexican than biscochitos. Noted as the state's official cookie in 1989, biscochitos are a crisp lard- or butter-based cookie flavored with cinnamon and anise. These holiday favorite cookies are popular at most Mexican bakeries and many celebrations such as weddings, baptisms and quinceañeras.
While most Americans drink hot cocoa during the holidays, New Mexicans can't get enough of champurrado. Champurrado is a chocolate-based atole, a warm and thick Mexican beverage, prepared with either masa de maíz, masa harina or corn flour; piloncillo (unrefined sugar); water or milk; and occasionally containing cinnamon, anise seed, or vanilla. This holiday favorite beverage is usually served alongside tamales during Christmas dinner. In the mood to try it? Check out your favorite local Mexican restaurant. Most Mexican restaurants in Las Cruces offer the delicious treat.
Being Christmas time I find my taste buds craving a savory bowl of Posole which is spicy pork and hominy soup that can be garnished with lime wedges, green onion, cilantro, and tortilla shells or chips, cabbage, or radish slices.
One of my fondest Christmas memories comes from my days living in New Mexico. Seeing walkways and buildings illuminated with a sea of glowing luminarias is such a beautiful and spectacular site around the holidays.
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