Las Posadas

Let us in!  Let us in!

The Tradition
Las Posadas (Spanish for “the inns”) is an Advent celebration revolving around the concept of
hospitality. In Mexico and some parts of Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, it
is traditional to hold Posadas during the nine days before Christmas, beginning December 16 and
ending December 24. The Posadas symbolize Mary and Joseph’s long, frustrating search for a
place to stay where Jesus could be born. The tradition re-enacts--with a twist, and a happy
ending--the story told in Luke 2:1-7. We learn from the Posadas that by welcoming the poor and
the needy, we are welcoming Jesus in our midst. (See Matthew 25:40).

Typically, different families in a neighborhood will take turns scheduling a night for the Posada
to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th. Every home
has a nativity scene, and the family hosting the Posada act as the innkeepers. The neighborhood
children and adults are the pilgrims (“Peregrinos”), who go house to house, singing a traditional
song about Mary and Joseph searching for lodging. At one house after the other, they are turned
away (also in song), until the weary travelers reach the designated site for the party, where Mary
and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter.

Source:  

Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

http://www.tens.org/download_file/view/221/ 

Adapting the Posada to a School Setting
With Señora Cecy we adapted the Advent celebration into a one-time procession which started at our classroom and concluded in the gym. The whole school was invited to participate.  Kindergarten dressed as characters from the Nativity Story and went from classroom to classroom asking for lodging, but were continuously turned away!  Finally we went to the gym where Pre-K, First, and Second recognized us as the Mary and Joseph and welcomed us with open arms.  We celebrated with a piñata and treats.  This is the first year that we have celebrated Las Posadas and we had fun.  It also helped the children remember the Christmas Story and empathize with Mary and Joseph seeking lodging.  We were dragging by the time someone finally let us in!  If you are interested in learning more about the Las Posadas celebration, you will find the link we used  here.  We echo-read in English the dialogue back and forth between the characters.

Lilie-shepherd, Addison-Angel, Alivia-Mary, Roan-Joseph, Kayla-Innkeeper,
Harrison-Shepherd, Drew, Adalyn, and Thomas-Royalty.
(We pulled sticks.  It's the only fair way!)