Clothes for Baby Jesus

Today is the feast day of La Candelaria, known as Candlemas in English.  The day commemorates the presentation of the baby Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem.  Many Mexicans observe the day in a unique manner.  They bring an image of the baby Jesus (referred to as "El Niño Dios") to mass on February 2nd, and the doll is blessed by the priest.  For this occasion it is customary to dress "el Niño Dios" in a brand-new outfit.  In Mexico City, the place to go for new clothes for your baby Jesus is Talavera Street.  The street is lined with shops which sell clothes for La Candelaria, and, as the feast day nears, the street is filled with stalls which also sell clothing and other accessories for the image.

Talavera Street is located in the Historic Center, several blocks to the east of the Zócalo.  It is not in an area frequented by tourists, and it is not the greatest neighborhood.  I certainly wouldn't wander the streets there at night.  I have been to Talavera Street a couple times in past years, and I have written about it on this blog.  On Wednesday, I decided to make a return visit, and, as I expected, the street was jammed with people buying new clothes for their "Niño Dios".

The sign says that on February 2nd of 2011, Talavera Street was declared a cultural religious corridor by the government of Mexico City.

A statue of "el Niño Dios" stands along Talavera Street.

The variety of clothing in which to dress your baby Jesus is astounding.

 

These dolls are dressed as Juan Diego, the native to whom the Virgen of Guadalupe is reputed to have appeared.  His cloak was then miraculously imprinted with her image.

You can also buy a chair or a basket to carry your baby Jesus to the church.

It is a tradition you will find only in Mexico.