Las Posadas

Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration that begins tonight, on December 16. Posada is Spanish for "lodging", and the nine days represent the nine months of Mary's pregnancy.

In Mexico, people gather and carry candles and clay figures of Mary and Joseph from house to house, reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for a room at an inn. They are turned away again and again with a rude “No!” Finally, one house allows them to enter, and everyone celebrates with food and a piñata. The procession is repeated each night through Christmas Eve, with a party at a different house each night.

I have always wished to live someplace where the Posadas procession is practiced. It reminds me of what it means to be a compassionate person and part of a compassionate community. It reminds me that the person at the door asking for help is always Jesus.

“...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Matthew 25:35-36.

A hut I helped to build last February.

Agenda:
1. Plan a fund-raiser for Community Supported Shelters:
CSS makes huts for homeless people, which I have helped to build, but they also host three tent camping spots, and they are collecting donations now to build metal warming shelters with fire pits, that the campers can use to warm up on cold nights. 

At Posada I always double up my efforts to help homeless people in my community, so today I'm planning a fund-raiser  to help CSS.

2. Set out our crèche: 

Traditionally, it was St. Francis of Assisi who made the first crèche, in honor of animals who shared the stable with the baby Jesus. 

We made Mary and Joseph with fabric and glue when my kids were very young. The donkey and bird (on the roof) are Fimo and the manger is balsa wood.

Today I set out just these figures, but leave the manger empty until Christmas morning.

3. Make Mexican hot chocolate:
You can buy Mexican chocolate in boxes in the specialty isle of your grocery store. It has a different flavor and texture than regular chocolate because they add cinnamon.
Ingredients:

• 1 qt. milk
• 2 tablets (about 7 oz.) of Mexican chocolate

1. Pour milk into a saucepan and heat on low.

2. Break chocolate into small pieces. Add to the milk, and bring it to a simmer. Stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted.

3. Beat the hot chocolate with a whisk until foamy.

4. Read the Christmas story:
Luke 2:1-20.