A look into my world...: Las Posadas

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Las Posadas

Our church had Posadas from 16 December through Christmas Eve. I had been wanting to go, but they began at 8:00 P.M., which was kind of late for me. We did, however, make it to one night of Posadas.

If you are wondering what Posadas are, well...let's see....how can I explain this to you? Posadas are reenactments of what Joseph & Mary went through as they were trying to find a place to stay before Jesus was born. (Pictured above are Joseph, an angel, and Mary. The people in the front have candles, & lead the way. The people behind Joseph & Mary prayed & sang.) Back before Jesus was born, Joseph & Mary were seeking a place to stay, and of course, no body had room for them and that's why Jesus was born in a manger. In the Posadas (in the Mexican tradition), people go around from house to house praying, singing, and asking for a place to Mary & Joseph to stay. Everyone turns them down, until the end, one family will open their doors to make room for Joseph & Mary to stay. THERE, everyone comes in and prays, sing more songs, and then the host family will serve some food (usually posole, tostadas, or other foods).

Since the houses in the U.S. are set up differently than they are in Mexico, our church members just went around in circles, praying & singing until someone (in the church) allowed Joseph & Mary to go into their house. Then, we went into the church, prayed and sang more songs. After that was over with, food was served. Since it was already late, and we were so tired, we decided to go home. I did take a picture of some of the tostadas that were served. I couldn't get to the posole, but hey, most of us Mexicans know what posole looks like anyway!

Below: A picture of Joseph, an angel, and Mary after someone allowed them to come into their home (actually the church). People followed singing & praying.