Spotlight on Geography – Christmas Traditions in Mexico

Published by Kathryn Forney at December 16, 2020

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RECIPE for Biscochitos or Bizcochitos
(bis-co-CHEE-toes)
Adapted from Visit Albuquerque’s Biscochitos recipe.

Makes 24 cookies.

Ingredients
3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together butter and 1/2 cup sugar until creamy. Add egg and beat until combined.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture and beat until combined and dough forms. Cover and chill until firm, 2 hours to overnight.

When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir together remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll dough out on a floured surface to just under 1/2 inch thick. Using a floured 2 1/2- to 3-inch round cookie cutter (ours was a snowflake), cut out cookies. Dip cookies in cinnamon-sugar mixture and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Alternately, sprinkle each cookie generously with cinnamon-sugar before baking. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until tops are just firm.

Illustration from Nine Days to Christmas (the 1960 Caldecott Medal winner) by Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida.

Use this fun post by Alveary Team Member Cathy Barrington to introduce your students to Christmas traditions in Mexico.

Have your student locate Mexico on a globe or a map. Find where you live. How far is your home from Mexico City, Mexico? Today, let’s discover Christmas traditions done among our Latin American friends. It all begins with a story.

Imagine it is night time. You look at the calendar on the wall as you are putting away the dishes from supper. You notice it is December 16th. Your heart leaps with memories of years gone by as you realize it is the first night of the Las Posadas celebration. You wonder if that is why there are Biscochitos cookies on a platter near the stove. Suddenly you hear the familiar words of the traditional song Canto Para Pedir Posada (“Song to Ask for Shelter”) outside in the street.

Running to the window you see friends and neighbors with their candles and lanterns processing down the street. You strain to see the two children dressed in costumes like Joseph and Mary, curious if you will recognize them. You see the sight of the empty manger being carried by one of the adults. In your excitement, you run to tell your family members. Soon, there is a knock on your front door and you realize that your home is the one chosen tonight for the celebration.

Enjoy hearing this song sung by children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ifnH9T1yoo

Here is the English translation of the traditional Posada song:

In the name of heaven
I ask you for shelter,
for my beloved wife
can go no farther.

This is not an inn
Get on with you,
I can not open the door,
you might be a rogue.

Do not be inhuman,
Show some charity,
God in heaven
will reward you.

You may go now
and don’t bother us anymore
because if I get angry
I will beat you.

We are worn out
all the way from Nazareth,
I am a carpenter
named Joseph.

Never mind your name,
Let me sleep,
I’ve already told you
We won’t open the door.

We request lodging,
dear innkeeper,
for only one night
for the Queen of Heaven.

If she is a queen
who is asking
why is it that she’s out at night,
wandering so alone

My wife is Mary.
she is the Queen of Heaven,
she will be mother
to the Divine Word.

Is that you Joseph?
Your wife is Mary?
Enter pilgrims
I didn’t recognize you.

May the Lord reward you
for your charity,
and may the sky be filled
with happiness.

Happy home,
harboring on this day
the pure virgin,
the beautiful Mary.

At this point in the song, the door is opened and those outside enter as all sing the final verse:

Enter holy pilgrims, pilgrims
receive this corner
not this poor dwelling
but my heart.

Tonight is for joy,
for pleasure and rejoicing
for tonight we will give lodging
to the Mother of God the Son.