Rockhills Christmas Collective // Sam Moreno
One of the fondest memories I have growing up in South Texas is that of me participating as a young kid alongside my parents, and what seemed to me at the time to be several hundred other neighbors, in what is known as Las Posadas.
Las Posadas is a tradition mostly celebrated in Latino & Mexican cultures and communities. The word “posada(s)” translates to shelter or inn and the celebration of Las Posadas is a symbolic reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s attempts to seek shelter as they travel to Bethlehem.
Think of Las Posadas as a mini-parade, a procession of individuals coming together every night for 9 nights leading up to Christmas Day. In my case, this procession would happen in my grandparent’s barrio (neighborhood), known as Las Cruzes barrio, in Laredo, Tx. The procession itself consisted of neighborhood participants portraying Mary, Joseph and the Angel Gabriel leading a group of other peregrinos (pilgrims), as well as musicians and other followers. Participants illuminated the way with candles while others carried religious symbols, pictures, and crosses. As the procession moved forward, alabanzas (Spanish hymns) were sung along the route and the route itself took us to several homes where Mary and Joseph would ask for “posada” (shelter) and the people in that house would deny them such. The procession would then move to another house and so forth until ultimately “posada” was granted.
Now it should be noted that all the singing and interactions happen in Spanish and the houses that were visited had been preselected. At each stop, a conversational song called “Pedir Posada” (Ask for Shelter) was sung by the procession with responses sung back by individuals located within the “inn keepers” houses. If posada was denied, refreshments such as pan dulce (sweet bread) and chocolate con canela (cinnamon chocolate) would be offered at that house before proceeding to the next. It should also be noted that, as a kid, walking around the barrio for 2-3 hours was not at the top of my list of things to do, but the pan dulce conchas and chocolate did make it more bearable….
It was considered an honor to be visited by Mary & Joseph and it was certainly an even greater and more coveted honor to be the house which would ultimately grant posada to the couple. At the final house, where posada was ultimately granted, a rosary or a mass would be held followed by food being provided and more music being played.
As I look back on it now, I realize that there was never any official closing of streets for this to occur, it was just known that people would be walking down the streets in the neighborhood – singing and praising. But what makes this stand out to me, besides the tradition itself, is the sense of unity and coming together that Las Posadas offered. This was not limited to just those living in the neighborhood - this was an opportunity for families to come together to participate and share in this moment/event. It was an opportunity to reflect on the happenings of the year,
reconcile with estranged family and friends, give thanks for the many blessings bestowed and ultimately celebrate the coming of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
On behalf of the Moreno family, we wish you all a Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo – a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!!!!
(If you would like to share some Christmas cheer, encouragement, devotion, recipes, etc... with the Rockhills community, please email your entry to advent@rockhills.com)
