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MAIN Holidays
Christmas
Las Posadas
A
wonderful Mexican Christmas tradition, las posadas
literally translates in English as "the inns" or
"the lodgings" and symbolizes the Biblical journey
of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem
before the birth of Jesus.
The nine-day
celebration lasts from December 16 to Christmas Eve (Noche
Buena or "Holy Night") and includes a candle-lit
procession of children and parents reenacting Mary and Joseph's
journey through Bethlehem.
The holiday
ritual includes a lively and colorful pageant of kids (the
"pilgrims" or peregrinos
) - costumed as Joseph, Mary, angels, shepherds and the Three
Wise Men - who travel from house to house until they reach
a designated home where Las Posadas will be celebrated that
year.
Upon arrival,
the hosts or "innkeepers" meet the procession at
the door to begin the holiday fiesta with an exchange of lyrics
from the traditional Pidiendo
Posada:
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Outside
Singers
In
the name of heaven,
I ask you for shelter
because my beloved wife
can continue no longer.
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Inside
Singers
This
is no inn,
continue on your way.
I am not about to open.
You may be a scoundrel.
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The
song goes on for several stanzas until Joseph and Mary are
finally recognized and allowed inside with everyone singing
in unison:
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Let
us sing with joy,
all bearing in mind
that Jesus, Joseph and Mary
honor us by having come.
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Soon,
everyone begins celebrating with traditional
songs & prayers - just before an explosion of merrymaking
that includes Christmas party music, piñata bashing,
sweet treats and fireworks!
On Christmas
eve, Las Posados culminates in all-out feasting at the Cena
de Noche Buena when families gather for a traditional meal
of romeritos
(baked shrimp with rosemary), bacalao
(dried cod fish), roast
turkey, Christmas salad, and mounds of sweet and sugary
buñuelos.
Especially
in northern Mexico - and in Mexican communities in Texas,
California and Arizona - the festivities may include a Christmas
tree, lots of presents, or even a visit by Santa. However,
Three Kings Day or Epiphany
on January 6 remains a traditional day for gift exchanges
in Central and Southern Mexico and throughout Latin America.
Las
Posadas Around the World
In
the Philippines, the posadas tradition begins on December
15 with a Misa de Gallo (midnight mass) every night for nine
consecutive nights prior to Christmas eve.
Similarly,
Puerto
Rican Christmas celebrations usually begin December 10
- and last until the Epiphany (Día de los Reyes Magos)
on January 6 - with impromptu Parranda (parties) hosted at
different locations each night for generous helpings of Christmas
coquito (a
delicious variation of egg nog) and festive platters of pasteles
(savory meat pastries).
In Nicaragua,
La
Gritería (The Shoutings), occurs on December 7
when friends and family parade in the streets to sing in praise
of the Virgin Mary before visiting neighbors to share festive
food, drink and gift exchanges.
Las
Posadas on the Web
Around
the Web, find out more about celebrating Las Posadas with
lively descriptions of annual family customs complete with
recipes & instructions for homemade holiday feasting ...
Christmas
in Mexico - One-stop browsing for Las Posadas history,
fun facts, photos, recipes, printable sheet music and song
lyrics, from Mexico Connect.com.
Mexican
Traditions for Christmas - Great intro to the topic
with information on festivities leading up to Christmas including
Las Posadas song lyrics, recipes for "Ponche con Piquete"
(party punch) and a full Christmas menu with complete recipes.
Celebrate
La Posada in Mexico!
- Kid-friendly teaching resources and lesson plans including
suggested activities and instructions for making a piñata,
from Scholastic.com
Christmas
Cooking in Mexico - The motherlode of holiday recipes
and instructions including Christmas turkey, romeritos, bacalao,
robunuelos, Christmas salad and lots more.
Las
Posadas - Preparing for La Navidad
- Lovely overview of traditional celebrations with historical
footnotes and featuring selected diabetic-friendly recipes
for Sopa de Albóndigas, Festival Salad, Vegetable Tamale
Pie, Tijuana Chicken, Baked Mexican Lasagna, Warm Apple Empanadas,
Fresh Fruit Quesadillas and Tapioca & Strawberry Parfait
also see in Christmas -> Christmas
Attractions | Christmas
in California
Christmas
Cookie Recipes | Christmas
Party Ideas
Christmas Recipes | Christmas
Trees | Epiphany
Holiday Planner
| Santa
Claus Trackers
also see -> Cinco
de Mayo | Dia
de los Muertos
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