Mexican citizens cling tenaciously to their own familiar ways of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Among these are the popular nacimientos (nativity scenes or creches) which can be found in public places and private homes all over Mexico from mid-December through Three Kings Day on January 6.
These scenes are much like those in the United States and other countries, but here Mexican creativity has added many colorful touches. The creation and first use of creches are attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan religious order in 13th century Italy. Initially, they were staged by living persons but later figures of clay and many other materials replaced them.
It is said that makers of creches first used clay figures in late 15th century Naples. Nacimientos appeared in Spain in the 16th century. In Mexico, Franciscan missionaries introduced and used them to facilitate the conversion of the indigenous peoples to the Roman Catholic faith. These peoples proved adept at sculpture, painting and working with clay; they began to give an indigenous flavor to this import from Spain. The missionaries brought scenes including clay figures of the Christ child, Mary, Joseph and a few animals, such as the mule and the ox. But here native artisans gave their imagination free rein, adding more figures and using an enormous variety of materials.Nacimientos in Mexico have been made of porcelain, crystal, sugar, chocolate, straw, papier-mache, bone, wood, wax and other materials, in addition to clay. Their creators have included many familiar animals as well as others, like elephants, swans and giraffes, that European artisans probably never dreamed of adding. They have put in shepherds, angels and devils in Mexican or foreign dress, as well as cactus, poinsettias and other native plants. At this time of year it is hard to avoid seeing nacimientos; you will find them in churches, shopping centers, public buildings, parks, schools, colleges and private homes.
Persons wishing to make their own nacimientos can find a wealth of figures, trees and other adornments at many locations including the Mercado Libertad, the Christmas market on Avenida Alcalde and in Tlaquepaque, especially on Calle Independencia.