Honoring holiday traditions
St. Anne’s celebrates Mexican Christmas tradition of Las Posadas
Lights are strewn around a constructed manger in the St. Anne’s Plaza. Under the wooden beams and among the ceramic figures, animals and hay is a representation of the site where baby Jesus was born. More than 100 Latino families gathered on a chilly December evening to reenact the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph to the ancient city of Bethlehem, where Mary gave birth to the baby.
This tradition, which hails primarily from Mexico, is called Las Posadas. Posada means “inn” in Spanish and is referring to the inns that Mary and Joseph visited, trying to find shelter during a busy census.
For nine days before Christmas, Mexican Catholics spend each evening recreating this scene with singing and prayer.
Communities typically host fun activities for children, including breaking seven-point star piñatas and eating candy and treats.
“We’ve been doing this for about 25 years in Lodi,” said Miguel Zamora, who has lived in Lodi for close to 50 years. It’s a time to not only pray, but to enjoy the company of friends with coffee, hot chocolate and Mexican pastries.
St. Anne’s congregation began Las Posadas on Wednesday evening in the plaza by reading passages from the Bible and saying prayers with rosaries. They recited the “Hail Mary” prayer in Spanish several times before making the sign of the cross and reciting “Our Father.”
In front of the manger were two volunteers dressed as Mary, with a blue veil, and Joseph, with a candle and a shepherds crook, to lead the congregation on their journey to find shelter.
They stopped at various doors of the church and hall where people inside were waiting for them to begin singing. Mary and Joseph and the congregation asked for shelter in the name of heaven while the people inside ask them to leave in song. This happens three times before someone lets them in. That is when the fun for children begins.
As a piñata swung from a rope in St. Anne’s Hall, children took turns smashing into it with wooden stick. Occasionally a candy would fly and a child would dive after it from the watching crowd, followed by others hoping to score a sugary snack.
Rather than something that happens at birthdays, the piñata was traditionally used in Mexico to celebrate Las Posadas. The seven points are to represent the seven capital sins which the children destroy by hitting them away, according to Lourdes Sanchez, who helped put on the event.
The tradition brings happiness to community members like Dalia Lopez, who enjoy spending time with others and keeping in mind the biblical figures behind the holiday.
For Catholics like Rocio Ramirez and Lourdes Sanchez, Las Posadas is a way of remembering Jesus Christ and continuing a tradition that many experienced in their childhood.
“We get so busy with gifts and decorating. This brings the people closer to what Christmas is about,” Sanchez said.