As the holiday season comes to a frantic peak early next week, the parish churches in Chapala and Ajijic will present live representations of the Nativity aimed at bringing people together to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
The display of Nacimientos Vivientes set up in front of Chapala’s San Francisco temple will take place on Monday, December 23, 8 to 9 p.m. In Ajijic the living crèches will be found wrapped around the atrium at the San Andres church on Tuesday, December 24, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Visitors at both locations will see a variety of tableaux depicting the Holy Family in costumes and settings depicting distinct nationalities or ethnic cultures from Mexico and around the world.
In previous years the familiar Bethlehem scene has been recreated to resemble people and scenery in places such as Oaxaca, Zacatecas, Michoacan, Guadalajara and Monterrey, far flung nations of Europe, Asia and Africa and even outer space. Others have characterized native cultures of the Americas, including the Aztec, Wixarica, Purépecha and Eskimo tribes.
Many of the scenes showcase real infants warmly bundled up to play the part of the Baby Jesus. Some employ live animals or alternately, adorable toddlers dressed up as the barnyard beasts that typically appear beside the manager.
The living Nativity scene was originated by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. Franciscan missionaries brought the custom to Mexico three centuries later.
Historical records show that the nacimiento viviente was introduced in the central Jalisco town of Tlajomulco de Zuñiga as early as 1550. In recent years local churches have revived the ancient tradition, giving it a modern twist aptly in tune with the 21st century global era.