Las Posadas Tradition in Rural Indiana

The celebration of Las Posadas is observed for nine days in December. It goes from December 16 to 24 each year. Although it originated in Mexico, it has now started to become popular in the United States, especially in Hispanic neighborhoods.

This past Sunday, we celebrated our version of Las Posadas with some other churches in our area. The name "Las Posadas" means "The Inn or Shelter." The traditional Mexican observance is to reenact Mary and Joseph's search for shelter as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem during the days before Christ Jesus was born. The United Methodist Book of Worship provides an outline helping bring this tradition to life in church.  We adapted the outline to fit our evening and we braved the cold (16 degrees) and gave it our best attempt at re-enacting the journey to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph.


An essential part of the Las Posadas party is a piñata for the children.  So we wrapped up our time together with a pinata and hot cocoa - happy to be in from the cold and amongst friends - both new and old!  We enjoyed the treats that fell from the piñata and warmed up with coca and coffee (and thermostatically controlled heating!).

But ... here's the interesting thing .... 

We met up with "Mary and Joseph" on the streets of the town as they searched for place to spend the night. Each time we stopped as a group, we would plead with the Inn Keeper to let the weary travelers in to stay for the night.  Each time we were told "NO!" - "No! Go away we don't give rooms to strangers" - "No! We have no room.  Go Somewhere else. Go anywhere else!"

This activity might have been fun had it not been so cold!  Singing as we walked started out strong, but quickly gave way to chattering sounds of teeth in the cold night air.

When we arrived at the church and the innkeeper said, "Yes! Enter good Joseph. Enter good Mary. Come in and find rest from your long journey."  I can't begin to express the relief we all felt to come in from the cold.

It was in that moment, that I got the whole concept of Las Posadas. Somehow, in a small town in Indiana, I had made a connection with Mary and Joseph and the Christmas story.  Why a stable? Why not? 

In that moment, after that journey, a place - any place - to lie down and rest ... to come in from the elements would have been welcome.  It might have even felt like a palace fit for a king!