The practice originated in the port of Tuxpan between 1915 and 1920. Currently, in various municipalities, such as Poza Rica, hundreds of families keep the tradition alive.
Poza Rica, Veracruz – Every December 7th, at nightfall, hundreds of homes, businesses, and avenues in northern Veracruz light up with candles to commemorate the tradition of the “Lost Child,” a December custom deeply connected to the Christ Child that brings together entire families in an act of faith and community unity.
The practice originated in the port of Tuxpan between 1915 and 1920, when a biblical passage from the Gospel of Luke was revived: Jesus, as a child, is lost for three days on his journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem and is finally found sitting among the teachers.
With the purpose of evangelizing and strengthening the religious identity of the region, this tradition was established and, over time, spread to various municipalities.
Although the custom is replicated in several towns, it is in Poza Rica where hundreds of families keep the tradition alive. Each household knows how many candles to place at the entrance of their homes or businesses, creating an illuminated path that symbolizes the guidance for Jesus to return to his parents.
The lighting usually takes place at 7:00 p.m., when night has fallen. Using the same wax, the candles are attached to the door frames and lit one by one, until they form a path of light that lasts only a few minutes, the time it takes for them to burn out.
A tradition that has been a part of Poza Rica since childhood
For Esther Cruz Durán, 53, a resident of the Tepeyac neighborhood, this practice has been a part of her life since childhood. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve placed a path of candles outside my house to illuminate the Lost Child. My mother, Candelaria Durán, taught me this deeply rooted tradition,” she shared.
This year, she says, half a kilo of candles cost her around 42 pesos, an investment she considers minimal compared to the spiritual and communal value of the celebration.
In addition to homes, emblematic locations in Poza Rica, such as Benito Juárez Park and Adolfo Ruiz Cortines Boulevard, were illuminated with hundreds of candles to celebrate this biblical passage.
Far from losing momentum, the “Lost Child” celebration is attracting more and more participants, becoming a unique event that reinforces the cultural and religious identity of northern Veracruz.
Source: oem
