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i think my job is more inportant  because it can

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i think the most important is the writting becuase if the reader wanted to know more about

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i think the most inportant was the writing becuase it is the first thing they will look at .

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i think that the most important tool is writing because it tells the reader what we are talking about

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this is food

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this is a tamale and green chile

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Here is a statue they put for Las Posadas

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Posadas are an important part of Mexican Christmas traditions. These community celebrations take place on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16 to 24th. The word posada means "inn" or "shelter" in Spanish, and in this tradition, Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay is re-enacted.

Posadas are held in neighborhoods across Mexico and are also becoming popular in the United States.

The celebration begins with a procession in which the participants hold candles and sing Christmas carols. Sometimes there will be individuals who play the parts of Mary and Joseph who lead the way, or occasionally images representing them are carried. The procession will make its way to a particular home (a different one each night), where a special song ( La Cancion Para Pedir Posada) is sung.

Asking For Shelter

There are two parts to the traditional posada song. Those outside the house sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter and the family inside responds singing the part of the innkeeper saying that there is no room. The song switches back and forth a few times until finally the innkeeper decides to let them in. The hosts open the door and everyone goes inside.

Read the lyrics and translation of the posada song.

Celebration

Once inside the house there is a celebration which can vary from a very big fancy party to a small get-together among friends.

Often the festivities begin with a short Bible reading and prayer. Then the hosts give the guests food, usually tamales and a hot drink such as ponche or atole. Then the guests break piñatas and the children are given candy.

The nine nights of posadas leading up to Christmas are said to represent the nine months that Jesus spent in Mary's womb, or alternatively, to represent nine days journey to Bethlehem.

History of the Posadas

Now widely-celebrated tradition throughout Latin America, posadas originated in colonial Mexico. The Augustinian friars of San Agustin de Acolman, near Mexico City are believed to have celebrated the first posadas. In 1586, Friar Diego de Soria, the Augustinian prior, obtained a papal bull from Pope Sixtus V to celebrate what were called misas de aguinaldo "Christmas gift masses" between December 16 and 24.

The Aztecs had a tradition of honoring their god Huitzilopochtli at the same time of year (coinciding with the winter solstice), and they would have special meals in which the guests were given small figures of idols made from a paste that consisted of ground toasted corn and agave syrup. The friars took advantage of the coincidence and the two celebrations were combined.

The celebrations were originally held in the church, but the custom spread and later was celebrated in haciendas, and then in family homes, gradually taking the form of the celebration as it is now practiced by the 19th century.

Read more about Mexican Christmas Traditions and learn about some of the traditional Mexican Christmas foods. .

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What You Need to Know About the Mexican Christmas Tradition of Posadas

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Posadas are an important part of Mexican Christmas traditions. These community celebrations take place on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16 to 24th. The word posada means "inn" or "shelter" in Spanish, and in this tradition, Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay is re-enacted.

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Las Posadas is Christmas  Mexican holiday.

Las Posadas lasts for 9 days from December 16 to December 24

The tradition began in the 1500's

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Las posadas: Christmas in Mexico Moo! DVD Movie Clip

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Take a sneak peek at the Las posadas: Christmas in Mexico video by Teacher's Discovery. Our focus is on the traditions of Christmas in Mexico, not as much on the religious aspects for user friendly classroom use.

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The story of Christ's birth has been told and retold so many times it could have lost its luster generations ago. But it hasn't-not even close. If anything, in this world of war, famine and natural disasters, holding on to something as simple and as singularly important as the Nativity story is a necessity to our faith.

And perhaps nowhere on earth is the Nativity story told with more flourish and faith-based exuberance than in the annual celebration of Las Posadas, a tradition held throughout Mexico and Guatemala.

A holy history lesson: The roots of Las Posadas stretch deeply into Latin culture. It originated in Spain, but it's been a yearly celebration throughout Mexico for over 400 years. The tradition commemorates Mary and Joseph's difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a warm place to stay the night. ( Posadas is Spanish for "lodgings" or "accommodations.")

Beginning on December 16 and ending nine days later, on December 24, Las Posadas commemorates the nine months of Mary's pregnancy. Each night, one family agrees to house the pilgrims. And so it begins: At dusk, a procession of the faithful takes to the streets with children often dressed as angels and shepherds. Religious figures, images and lighted candles are a part of the festivities.

The group representing the Holy Family stands outside a series of houses, singing songs, asking for lodging. They are refused time and again until the group reaches the designated house. Finally, the travelers are permitted to enter. Prayer and song continue in the home, and festive foods are shared. The evening ends with a piñata in the shape of star.

The tradition continues each evening with a different house as the chosen Posadas. The last night-Christmas Eve-usually features a midnight Mass. The nine days of Las Posadas is more than just a feel-good tradition: It deepens faith and strengthens ties within the community at a holy time.

Just as Mary and Joseph faced the cold weather-and even colder innkeepers that night-participants brave the elements in bringing their love for the Christ Child to their streets. Las Posadas isn't about being somber and still during Christmas: It's about pilgrims and a pilgrimage, rousing song, prayer and deep faith-all of it in motion.
Photo by David Maung.
This article first appeared in the pages of St. Anthony Messenger.

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Las Posadas: A Mexican Christmas Tradition

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The story of Christ's birth has been told and retold so many times it could have lost its luster generations ago. But it hasn't-not even close. If anything, in this world of war, famine and natural disasters, holding on to something as simple and as singularly important as the Nativity story is a necessity to our faith.