The day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, 

Christmas and Dia de los Tres Reyes
 

Celebrations for the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe begin the week before December 12. This fiesta is based on the legend of Juan Diego and the Virgin Mary. The virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego in the year of 1531 and told him to go to the Bishop and have him build a shrine to The Virgin Mary on the site where she had appeared to Juan Diego. The Bishop did not believe him so the Virgin Mary had to appear to Juan Diego again. This time she had Juan gather roses from a stony hill where only cacti grew and she wrapped them in his cloak. Juan was to take these to the Bishop who had refused his request for the shrine. When Juan opened his cloak the roses disappeared and a picture of the Virgin appeared on his cloak. The Bishop declared it a miracle and had a church built to honor the Virgin. She became the patron saint of Mexico. On the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe children visit their local church. The boys dress as Dieguitos in memory of Juan Diego, with serapes, sandals and painted mustaches. A huge fair is held during the fiesta and Conchero dancers and matachin sword dancers entertain the crowd. There are twelve dances performed some of these are "The Battle, The Cross, and El Toro" ( the bull). There are food booths and street vendor type pushcarts for refreshments at the fiesta.

The celebrations for the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe barely end before the Christmas season begins. The Christmas celebrations begin on December 16 and continue through January 6, Three Kings Day. The Nacimiento (manger scene) is the most important part of this holiday to the Catholic families. The people have Posada (inn or shelter) Processions to reenact Mary and Joseph looking for a room. These are usually done by children and they continue the procession for nine nights. The last night is on December 24 and the procession is finally admitted to someone's home.

The people have prayers around the manger and then the socializing begins. There is a piñata for the children. A piñata is made of clay or paper mache and covered in curly tissue paper, it can be any shape or size. The youngest child is allowed to try to break open the hanging piñata first and then the others are given a chance until it is broken. There are usually floats in the procession on the night of December 24 and then a large firework display. The Christmas season ends on January 6, which is the Dia de los Tres Reyes ( Day of the Three Kings). The Three kings brought rich gifts to the baby Jesus so children in Mexico believe they will bring them gifts also. They leave water and grass for the weary camels , and their shoes out for the gift. In the morning the water and grass is gone and their shoes are filled with gifts.

On January 6 many parties and celebrations have a special cake called the Three Kings' Cake. It is the shape of a crown with cherry candies for jewels. A tiny doll is placed inside the cake before it bakes. The person who finds the doll is supposed to have good luck. These three fiestas are celebrated in Latin American Countries and in the United States in areas where large Hispanic populations are.

Objectives:  

Students will be able to see the similarities between the holiday celebrations in the United States and fiestas.

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of what a fiesta is.

Students will be able to identify five Latin American Countries on the map.

Students will be able to identify three symbols that are used during a holiday celebration or fiesta.

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how holiday celebrations or fiestas are based on legends.

Time Required:  

3 to 4 days

Vocabulary:  

celebrations, fiestas, legends,

symbols, similarities, differences,

religious

Materials:  

A globe

large round balloon

newspaper strips

flour and water paste

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola

Nine Days to Christmas a Story of Mexico by Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida
 Procedures:  

Evaluation:  

The comparisons of how different countries celebrate the same holidays will be assessed.

Naming and locating five Latin American countries on the map will be assessed individually and

orally throughout the unit.

The six things students list about fiestas will be assessed.

Journal entries or post cards will be assessed.

Extension Activities:  

Ancient Sites in Mexico
Mexico is a country with a rich history. It was once the home of two ancient empires: those of the Mayas and the Aztecs. Divide students into four groups to study these sites of Mesoamerican civilizations: Chichén Itzá, Teotihuacán, Tenochtitlán, and Palenque. Ask each group to draw a map or a picture of the site and to answer the following questions:

Home Learning:

Use the Internet to visit Fiesta de Guadalupe.  Read and be ready to share what you've learned.

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