La Posadas, the remarkable buildup to Christmas Eve, is a delightful and unique Mexican tradition. It begins on December 16th and commemorates the events in the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The kids love it and I love how it spans several days and recreates that very special journey.
After dark, each night of the Posada, two children lead a procession. The children carry a by two children. The children carry a small decorated pine platform bearing replicas of Joseph and Mary riding a burro. Other members of the procession, all with lighted long slender candles, sing the Litany of the Virgin as they approach the door of the house assigned to the first Posada. Together they chant an old traditional song and awaken the the house to ask lodging for Mary. Those within the house threaten the company with beatings unless they move on. They keep pleading until the owner of the house finally learns who his guests are. He then throws open the doors and bids them welcome. Everyone kneels around the manger scene or Nacimiento and sing songs of welcome, Ave Marias and a prayer.
There is a Pinata, refreshments and dancing. On Christmas Eve another verse is added to the Ave Marias, telling the Virgin Mary that the desired night has come. Small children dressed as shepherds stand on either side of the nativity scene while members of the company kneel and sing a litany, after which the Christ Child is lulled to sleep with the cradle song, El Rorro (Babe in Arms).
At midnight the birth of Christ is announced with fireworks, ringing bells and blowing whistles. Devout worshipers go to church to attend the famous Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster.) Following Mass, there is a dinner with traditional Mexican foods. Christmas Day really doesn’t have a special celebration although many have adopted the American style of Santa and a tree.
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
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Wow, I had no idea such a festival takes place. Fireworks even? This makes total sense. Just once I want to be a part of this. I am so tired of the HO HO hum of Santa and all the other hoopla. It’s about Christ. Period. CHRISTmas. duh, what have we done to this event over the past 2K plus years.
I agree and this is so much fun!
Where does this take place? I know that in Mexico there are numerous festivals that my hubby’s mom used to travel back to attend before she got too old to go. They all involve great fun and food! I was not aware of this one, but I just love it and wish I take part!
This takes place all over Mexico. Some people do it like us within their families, for others their communities do it.
Sounds like a very nice tradition. I always love the Christmas eve paegent at our church when the children perform a play and there is music. Always brings out the Christmas spirit.
It is a nice tradition and I agree the pageant is my favorite part of the Christmas mass as well.
I learned all about this tradition when my daughter was in kindergarten last year. I volunteered in her class that day and we made all kinds of Los Posados crafts. My daughter was even chose to be Mary when the class did its processional to each of the other kindergarten classrooms. It’s a beautiful celebration!
Oh I bet she loved it! I love that schools teach other traditions, I think it is so important to learn about the world around us.
What a wonderful way to teach the children about the true meaning behind Christmas. I would love to have the opportunity to join the festival and see all the excitement on the children’s faces. It sounds like a wonderful time.
Wow. This seems like a fantastic way to teach little ones the true meaning of Christmas. I wonder if there are Youtube videos of it that I can look at.