CHill on a Mission: Las Posadas

I suppose you may be wondering just exactly what a Posada is. Well let me explain to you the best I can what one is....

A Posada is a tradition of many Hispanic cultures, I think the word literally means Inn, like the place where there was no room for Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem when Jesus was born, but we use it to describe the event being held.

The Posada is a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. What happens is the people are divided into one small group, that sings the part of inside, and everyone else sings the part of outside. To summarize the song that they sing, starts with the outside group asking for lodging, then inside sings there is no room, and this goes back and forth for several places until the doors are finally opened. These are sang at each "site" of the Posada, with traditional Christmas Carols sang in Spanish as the group walks from one place to the other. Some of the Carols sang are: Al Mundo Gozo (Joy To The World), Ve, Dilo en la Montana (Go Tell it on the Mountain), Noche de Paz (Silent Night), Feliz Navidad, and Gloria en las Alturas (Glory in the Highest), all accompanied by the Marachi Band.

After a few stops and the final house says yes to the request, the story of Jesus birth is read from Luke, and refreshments are served. Traditional Posada food is bunuelos (fried tortillas with cinnamon and sugar), champurrada (beverage similar to hot chocolate, thickened with masa (corn flour) which I don't much care for, but others like it), tamales, then a pinata and bollos (bags of nuts, candy and usually an orange.)

Each of the mission sites in Juarez, as well as San Pablo here hosted a Posada. Below you will find pictures from several of them. I didn't get to attend the ones at Sin Paredes or San Lucas in Anapra, so check out Erin's blog for pics of those. There are a couple videos on the bottom of the kids getting involved, enjoy those as well. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

El Pato at Cristo Rey

Cristo Rey kids as Mary, Joseph, and Angels

Singing through the streets near Cristo Rey

Looking at the "outside"group

Looking at the "inside"group that turns them away

At the door asking for shelter

Musicians and actors from Cristo Rey

Had to put this one in, apparently the Rockies donated a whole bunch of shirts that were passed out at their school, but I though they just had them at first and I was super excited. (We built a house for their grandma this past summer and they were around a lot)