The Christ Child celebrates Christmas in Mexico with south of the border style, appearing as "El Nino" in his woven straw basket, wearing a straw hat, and surrounded by poinsettias and holiday gifts. He makes his entrance on the back of a gentle burro that is adorned with Mexican-print blankets and bells. Preparations for Christmas in Mexico begin early in December, with wonderful market stalls set up in most every town square. There, people can purchase Christmas crafts, wonderful cheeses, bananas, nuts and cookies, exotic orchids and bright red poinsettias. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and has been a part of the Christmas celebration there since the 17th century. At that time, Mexican Franciscans incorpo- rated the flowers into their holiday services, and furthered a wonderful legend. It seems that a little boy named Pablo wanted to offer something special to "El Nino", but he had no money. According to legend, the boy gathered some green branches and offered them at the manger. Miraculously, bright red flowers in the shape of stars appeared at the end of every branch! An important Mexican custom is to divide the family into two groups - pilgrims and innkeepers - for a procession reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Beth- lehem. When the procession reaches a house with a special Nativity scene, there is much rejoicing and feasting, and the children compete to break open a pinata! BACK-LIMITED EDITIONS
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