December 25, 1519 marked the beginning of a tradition that, 505 years later, is still valid in the daily lives of millions of Mexicans: the celebration of Christmas. This event, considered the first in Mexican territory, took place in Tlaxcala, where the first “conquistadors” held a mass to commemorate the birth of Jesus, in an act that merged indigenous customs with European traditions, beginning what today We know it as one of the most important festivities in the country.
The historian and expert in viceregal culture, Jorge Eugenio Traslosheros Hernández, points out that this first Christmas celebration in Mexico was not only a religious act, but a reflection of the cultural miscegenation that was being born in the country. “Mexican culture began to take shape in the 16th and 17th centuries, in the encounter between indigenous and European traditions, giving rise to a new identity, in which Christmas plays a fundamental role,” explains the researcher at the Institute of UNAM Historical Research.
Traslosheros highlights the influence of the Franciscan order, which adapted Christmas traditions to local customs, such as the installation of nativity scenes and the representation of Bethlehem, elements that persist to this day in the houses and squares of Mexico. “Christmas in Mexico is a tradition that transcends religion, since both believers and non-believers adopt it as a time of unity and reflection,” he says.
In a time marked by profound humanitarian crises, Christmas in Mexico takes on an even stronger meaning. “It is a desire for peace, justice and reconciliation,” says Traslosheros, who explains that, regardless of each person’s faith, the celebration of Christmas is an opportunity to imagine a better future, in which the values of unity and hope prevail.
Although some have tried to present Christmas as an external tradition, the historian defends its mestizo origin, a unique mix of cultures that has shaped Mexican identity. «To say that Christmas is foreign to us is to ignore our history. Mexico is the result of a cultural fusion that gave rise to its own identity, beyond any external influence,” says the specialist, who recommends reading “Christmas in the Mountains” by Ignacio Manuel Altamirano as a literary example of this rich tradition.
Today, 505 years after that first Christmas in Mexico, the celebration continues to be a pillar of the country’s cultural and social life, a moment in which, beyond differences, Mexicans come together to remember their history, share with your loved ones and renew the desire for a future full of peace and hope.
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