Christmas Joys

Christmas Posadas take place in Latin America, as well as parts of the southwest United States. Posadas are re-enactments of Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging, before the birth of Christ. The word, posada translated to English is defined as “inn.” It is a solemn commemoration, as well as a festive occasion. Unfortunately, the daily hectic schedule of modern life has erased this custom in some regions.

The Posadas in Mexico are usually neighborhood events that begin on December 16 and continue up to Christmas Eve. They generally start around 7:00 p.m. Celebrating all nine nights is not mandatory, so some communities may choose to only engage in the Posadas three or four nights.

Some Posadas are very elaborate, while others are very simple. This depends upon the affluence of the members. In some communities, special costumes are made. In others, the participants may gather in street clothes.

Bags of treats called aguinaldos are prepared before the night’s activities. They are filled with guavas, sugar cane, mandarin oranges, animal crackers, candy, peanuts, jicama and tejocotes (fruits belonging to the hawthorn family.)

Piñatas are also part of the night’s activities. Members of the community are asked to purchase pinatas for one night, while others are asked to contribute by supplying a number of aguinaldos. Women in the neighborhood provide tamales or pozole (hominy soup) as assigned.

Each evening the same scene and procession is repeated. Neighbors, friends and family assemble with lit candles outdoors for prayers at a designated home. Next, the group travels to another home and asks for lodging. They are turned away. This is repeated at two more homes. At the conclusion, the children line up for their gifts, before heading off to break the pinatas. Adults socialize, while enjoying the tamales or pozole of the evening.

Ken Frick has been writing about family activities for the past four years. He also enjoys writing about paper products, like why to use laser photo paper for many of your laser printing needs.

Ken Frick