Good Vibes: Mexican Christmas Trees
Tara A. Spears
Just as European people used what was locally available to decorate their homes, so do the Mexicans in their predominately hot climate country. Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
In the Northern hemisphere, the shortest day and longest night of the year falls on December 21 or December 22 and is called the winter solstice. Many ancient people believed that the sun was a god and that winter came every year because the sun god had become sick and weak. They celebrated the solstice because it meant that at last the sun god would begin to get well. Evergreen boughs reminded them of all the green plants that would grow again when the sun god was strong and summer would return according to the History Channel.
In most Mexican homes the principal holiday adornment is el Nacimiento (Nativity scene). However, a decorated Christmas tree may be incorporated in the Nacimiento or set up elsewhere in the home. As the purchase of a natural pine represents a luxury commodity to most Mexican families, the typical arbolito (little tree) is often an artificial one, a bare branch cut from a copal tree (Bursera microphylla) or some type of shrub collected from the countryside.
Since the second half of the 20th century, Mexico has adopted a number of German and U.S. Christmas traditions. But the imported s that are now available at the international big box stores are very pricey. Therefore, those families that choose to have a live tree often select the bristling grey-green copal branch or a small copal tree as it is readily available throughout the country in the wild.
Spraying the copal branch white and decorating it with ornaments is easy yet attractive. Another feature of the copal is that the cut copal tree exudes a thick sap with a lovely, exotic aroma. For this reason many churches use small branches of copal as incense. The cut copal is truly a Mexican Christmas tree.
In such a vibrant culture it’s no surprise that their Christmas trees can be decorated with more than simple globes- look for sombreros, yarn animals, lottery cards, artisan dolls and hand-painted ornaments, even skeletons! The creativity is amazing!
For most Mexicans, the Christmas tree is a symbol of love, not money. Don’t measure the height of your Christmas tree. Measure the abundance of the love present in your heart! Have a Blessed Christmas.
