As we finished up the last Posada this weekend, I wanted to share one of the most traditional festivities that my in-law family participates in - a celebration that dates back many centuries ago. It is something that all of the kids love and brings the family together in the most precious way. Learn all about what they are and how to throw your own.
What Are Posadas?
Posadas, “inns” when translated, are all about the commemoration of Mary and Joseph’s nine day pilgrimage to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. Celebrated for 9 days (from December 16th - 24th) to correspond with every month of Jesus being in the womb. It is a time to come together for devotion to purification, meditation, prayer, and just getting in touch with the holiness of the season.
The Nacimento
Every nativity set may be different, but the basic elements to make one up are: Mary, Joseph, and empty crib (until Christmas Day), the angel, the Three Wise Men, Star of Bethlehem, a donkey, an ox, and some shepherds.
Prayer and Caminata
Our family posadas always begin with prayer lead by my mother-in-law. After each decade of the prayer we sing a carol.
After prayer comes the caminata, the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey in search of a room. We divide into two groups - one standing outside carrying the Peregrinos (figurines of Mary and Joseph) acting as the pilgrims and the other standing inside acting as the innkeepers. Every person is given a candle to be lit during song and sparklers to light at the very end - symbolizing the light that leads the way to the manger.
Then we sing Las Posadas song about the pilgrims asking for a place to rest and the innkeeper refusing since he’s convinced that the Messiah is going to be born. The outside group approaches the door, singing. The inside group responds in song, but does not open the door. Next, the outside group continues to sing, again, the door is not opened. And so forth until the end of the song where the inside group finally opens the door.
The Ponche
Or punch, a delicious traditional spiced, fruit infused hot beverage to keep the guests warm. It is made with water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, apples, oranges, guayabas, tejocotes, sugar canes, and tamarind.
The Piñata
The origin of piñatas is traced back to this particular tradition of the posadas. Over time, piñatas became a part of every single celebration, but the original one dates to this event and has a lot of symbolism. The seven points of the star shape represents the seven deadly sins. Being blindfolded during the swinging represents having blind faith. The stick represents our virtue. The beating of the piñata represents overcoming our sin, why you must destroy them. And the treats inside, usually candy, represents the glory of God falling down on us.
Aguinaldo Bags
These are little candy bags that hosts hand out to the guests at the end of the posada. They are given as a sign of good faith.
Special Days
There are two days every posada that we do something a little extra special with the three baby Jesus’ we have during prayer - Christmas Day and the second weekend of January. On Christmas Day, the babies are unclothed one article at a time in tune with a prayer and song, cleaned, and then rocked to sleep. On the other day, the babies are cleansed again and clothed one article at a time in tune again and then placed in the mangers. This is done by three groups of people, usually my mother-in-law and her cousin, my husband‘s uncle and his wife, and my husband’s aunt and son.
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