PASTORELAS. A Pastorela (from the word “Pastor”, Shepherd) is a theatrical play depicting a story around the birth of Jesus. It typically centers on the journey of the Shepherds to find and adore Jesus, and the different temptations and morel dilemas they face as Angels and Demons try to lead them in different directions.

Pastorela plays are part of traditional folklore in Mexico, dating back to the sixteenth century when the missionaries used different methods to evangelize native Americans and the growing population of Europeans in the Americas. At its core, a Pastorela conveys the story of the coming of God to our world in Jesus. The shepherds represent humanity in its journey to find the truth and our Savior, the angels are the calling of God through our inner voice to follow his ways, and the demons represent temptations and the challenges we face while following God’s will.