Catholic Activity: Day Fifteen ~ Activities for the Fifteenth Day of Christmas
In Mexico, Christmas is an important holiday season with strong traditions. One of the most colorful traditions is the posada party, celebrated every evening from December 16 to 24. These celebrations commemorate Mary and Joseph's cold and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. "Posada" in Spanish, simply means lodging or shelter. Nowadays, the posada has evolved into a religious and social celebration, paying a festive homage to the journey.
Each one of these nights before Christmas, a party is held in a home in the neighborhood. There is plenty of food and drink, with candies and fruit for the children. At dusk, all the guests gather outside the house. A small child dressed as an angel leads, followed by children carrying figures of Mary and Joseph. Boys and girls dressed in silver and gold robes constitute the procession, followed by the adults and musicians. Everyone sings melodious songs as they walk slowly along, carrying their lit candles. When they reach the house, the group divides in two. One half remains outside and begs for shelter from the other half, which is inside the house. The doors are then opened, the religious part of the celebration ends, and the fun begins.
The happy end to each posada has always been the piñata. A piñata is a fragile earthenware jar covered with paper mache, traditionally made in the shape of a star, to recall the one that so mysteriously guided the Three Kings to the newborn Jesus. Now piñatas come in all shapes and sizes and are filled with candy, toys, and sometimes money.
In the old days, the last posada held on December 24 was most popular, because it was followed by midnight Mass. In the provinces of Mexico, this tradition lives on.
DIRECTIONS
Celebrate with your family and friends the Mexican tradition of Los Posadas. Before we bid farewell to the Christmas season it's a good time to reenact the Christmas story. It might not be possible to go from house to house but you could process from room to room singing or outside at the different doors of your home. You can dress a couple of children as Mary and Joseph and have them knock on the doors asking for shelter. Once the procession is over you can finish with a pinata and refreshments. To add to the party dress in colorful Mexican garb.
| Outside Singers | Inside Response |
| In the name of Heaven I beg you for lodging, for she cannot walk my beloved wife. | This is not an inn so keep going I cannot open you may be a rogue. |
| Don't be inhuman; Have mercy on us. The God of the heavens will reward you for it. | You can go on now and don't bother us, because if I become annoyed I'll give you a trashing. |
| We are worn out coming from Nazareth. I am a carpenter, Joseph by name. | I don't care about your name: Let me sleep, because I already told you we shall not open up. |
| I'm asking you for lodging dear man of the house Just for one night for the Queen of Heaven. | Well, if it's a queen who solicits it, why is it at night that she travels so alone? |
| My wife is Mary She's the Queen of Heaven and she's going to be the mother of the Divine Word. | Are you Joseph? Your wife is Mary? Enter, pilgrims; I did not recognize you. |
| May God pay, gentle folks, your charity, and thus heaven heap happiness upon you. | Blessed is the house that shelters this day the pure Virgin, the beautiful Mary. |
| Upon opening the doors at the final stop, the tune changes, the pilgrims enter, and all sing these final verses in unison: | |
| Enter, holy pilgrims, receive this corner, for though this dwelling is poor, I offer it with all my heart. | |
| Oh, graced pilgrim, oh, most beautiful Mary. I offer you my soul so you may have lodging. | |
|
Humble pilgrims, | |
|
| |
