In Mexico, Christmas is an important holiday season with strong traditions. One of the most colorful traditions is the posada party, celebrated every evening from December 16 to 24. These celebrations commemorate Mary and Joseph's cold and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. "Posada" in Spanish, simply means lodging or shelter. Nowadays, the posada has evolved into a religious and social celebration, paying a festive homage to the journey.
Each one of these nights before Christmas, a party is held in a home in the neighborhood. There is plenty of food and drink, with candies and fruit for the children. At dusk, all the guests gather outside the house. A small child dressed as an angel leads, followed by children carrying figures of Mary and Joseph. Boys and girls dressed in silver and gold robes constitute the procession, followed by the adults and musicians. Everyone sings melodious songs as they walk slowly along, carrying their lit candles. When they reach the house, the group divides in two. One half remains outside and begs for shelter from the other half, which is inside the house. The doors are then opened, the religious part of the celebration ends, and the fun begins.
The happy end to each posada has always been the piņata. A piņata is a fragile earthenware jar covered with paper mache, traditionally made in the shape of a star, to recall the one that so mysteriously guided the Three Kings to the newborn Jesus. Now piņatas come in all shapes and sizes and are filled with candy, toys, and sometimes money.
In the old days, the last posada held on December 24 was most popular, because it was followed by midnight Mass. In the provinces of Mexico, this tradition lives on.
On December 17, 2005, Nuestra Casa celebrated our organizational progress and kicked off the New Year with 200 members of the community and their children. The event began with a procession from house to house with images of the Virgin and Child and the singing of hymns that culminated atNuestra Casa organizes Las Posadas in order to keep Mexican cultural traditions alive. The organization and celebration of this event brings together members of the community in a multigenerational effort.
We welcome your sponsorship of Las Posadas in East Palo Alto. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Laura Valdez, Executive Director of Nuestra Casa at lvaldez@nuestracasa.org or by phone (650) 330-7437. You can also contribute to this event by donating new toys for children ages 1 - 18.
1798 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, CA 94303 | tel: (650) 330-7437 | fax: (650) 321-4532