3. Vocabulario
• Las Posadas- A celebration that occurs every evenimg from december 16th to december 24th. Children
reenact Mary and Joesphs difficult journey to Bethlehem.
• La Noche de los Rabanos- A competition held on every december 23rd. Artists compete in a radish carving
contest in Oaxaca City, Mexico, the winner gets 12000 pesos.
• La Guadalupana-
• Día de los Reyes- Celebrated on January 6th. It is a celebration that commemorates the three wise mens
journey to Bethlehem.
• La Noche Buena- Celebrated on December 24th a large meal is made for family and friends and is
followed by mass at midnight.
• Poinsettia-Mexican symbol for Christmas.
• Día de los Inocentes- This holiday is similar to our April fools day. It is celebrated for all of the innocent
children that were killed by king Herod.
• Los Reyes Magos-
• El Nacimiento- The birth of Jesus in bethlehem.
• Luminarias- A candle placed in a paper bag and it is used to represent the streets lighting up to direct
Mary and Joseph.
• Rosca de Reyes- A traditional sweet bread that is eaten in the morning on Dia de los Reyes.
• Villancicos- A Spanish Christmas carol.
• Cascanuelas-
• Día de la Candelaria- February 2nd people take candles to their local church for it to get blessed
• Pastorelas-dramatic pieces that represent the trip of Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary to register
themselves in the Roman census taking place in those days, or the hardships they suffered while looking
in vain for lodging
• Cohetero- Someone that makes a fireworks display
