December 19, 2008, Away in a manger, By Krishna Villena

As the city’s Christmas decorations appear, swinging and sparkling above the streets of San Miguel, families begin their preparations for adorning their own homes for the holidays. Tucked among the shining ornaments and ropes of flashing musical lights that suddenly appear in the mercados and tiendas you can find all the items necessary for that most important of reminders of the festive season: the nativity scene, or nacimiento.

The birth of Jesus is celebrated in Mexico with many activities that recall or reenact the story of Mary and Joseph’s entry into Bethlehem and the birth of Christ. The setting up of the nativity scene marks the beginning of the Christmas season, and the posadas recreating the search for lodging take place over the nine days preceding Christmas.

Pilar Gómez, a volunteer at the Bodega de Sorpresas in the Biblioteca Pública, said she sets up her crèche early in December. “On December 24, about 8pm, we sing the posada to lull the Baby Jesus to sleep and lay him in the manger, and finally we have dinner,” said Gómez.

Many people still bring their baby Jesus figures to the church for blessing. The figures are dressed in many different kinds of outfits, such as little hand-woven sweaters known as chambritas, caps and even socks.

Vendors of these special outfits, used only for Christ figures, appear in the mercados early in the month. Some very traditional celebrants dress the figure in a new outfit each year. “I personally don’t like baby Jesus dressed as a soccer player because it is not our tradition. Baby Jesus must be treated with a lot of respect,” said Gómez.

The foundation of the nativity scene is formed by the holy family, surrounded by shepherds and wise men. Nativity scenes vary greatly in size and number of pieces, but each figure has meaning, and a proper arrangement adds depth and significance to this tradition.

Gómez explained that the central position in any nativity scene is occupied by the Christ child and that the manger must be placed at the center of the stable.

“According to tradition, baby Jesus is placed in the manger in the first hour of Christmas morning,” said Gómez. Traditionally, the baby remains in the manger until February 2, Candelaria, which marks the end of Christmas festivities.

The animals commonly used in nativity sets are sheep, oxen and camels. These figures recall the humbleness of Christ’s birth and the long journey of the Magi. The camels are placed near the three wise men in the central scene until January 6 (Three Kings Day). Like Santa Claus in other traditions, it is the three kings who bring toys and gifts to children on that day.

Other secondary figures include angels and additional animals. In large, outdoor scenes the angels often hover above the manger; in interior scenes, they often are placed inside the manger behind the holy family.

Some notable nacimientos in town

(From December 21, 2007 Atención)

Isaac Cohen Aguado, owner of Carmela Beauty Parlor, maintains the tradition established by his grandmother, Antonia Aguado, who used to set up an extensive nacimiento in her home at Canal 9. He now sets up the scene at Eco 12, in La Lejona. The nacimiento includes representations of biblical stories such as Adam and Eve, the annunciation, the archangel’s announcement to the shepherds, and the hermit in his cave being tempted by the devil. “The figures representing biblical passages are made of wax, and some of them are from the 19th century. The clay figures are from the 1940s and 1950s. The nacimiento includes some uniquely Mexican scenes, such as a Mexican wedding and a ‘bad women house,’ as my grandmother used to call the brothel.”

Rubén Villasana displays an extensive nacimiento in one room of his home at Codo 6. “The Misterio [holy family] more than 150 years old,” said Villasana. “It belonged to my great-grandmother. There are about 30 figures, most of them made of clay. All my figures are in realistic proportion. Another important element is that I use for background a painting of San Miguel that is interspersed with images of Bethlehem.”

The figures in the large nacimiento set up in the Jardín were made about 40 years ago by don Genaro Almanza, who has also sculpted several of the religious figures in the churches of San Miguel. The figures include the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, the baby Jesus and four angels, and it is complemented with live animals such as lambs and a donkey. It is set up on December 24 and remains on display until January 7. The live animals, however, are only there from December 24 to 26.

Blessing the Bambinelli

According to www.zenit.org, Pope Benedict’s special prayer for blessing the Bambinelli (the statues of baby Jesus that will be placed in the manger):

God our Father,
you loved man so much
to send us your only Son Jesus,
born of the Virgin Mary,
to save us and lead us back to you.
We pray that, with your blessing
these images of Jesus, soon to come among us,
might be, in our homes,
a sign of your presence and love.

God our Father,
give your blessing to us, too,
to our parents, our families and friends.

Open our hearts,
that we might know to receive Jesus in joy,
always do what he asks of us
and see him in all those
who need our love.

We ask this in the name of Jesus,
your beloved Son, who came to give peace to the world.

You who live and reign forever and ever.

Amen.

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