From social media manager Araceli:
“For many in the Latino community, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ doesn’t solely happen on Christmas Day.
Instead, we like to commemorate the entire journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem—by having a Christmas party for nine straight days, otherwise known as posadas.
The word “posada” is Spanish for lodging, accommodation, inn, etc. This religious festival is celebrated in Mexico and the US, begins on Dec. 16, and lasts through Dec. 24—nine days leading up to the birth of Jesus.
I have fond memories of participating in posadas, where people would dress up and lead a procession to various houses.
A child dressed as an angel would lead the procession, with musicians and singers following behind, and we’d all have a candle in hand.
We’d sing outside someone’s home with the hope that they’d give us shelter—just like how Joseph and Mary asked for lodging.
Eventually, when a host lets in the people in the procession, they are welcomed with warm treats like hot chocolate, champurrado, or pan dulce—and if they’re really lucky, they get to break a piñata.”
Read more of Araceli’s explanation of posadas here.
