Las Posadas: Setting aside a prominent place for the Lord

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know whose house you are visiting. You know you are welcome as members of a greater family that we call Church.”

Jose Maria Gonzalez

The search for shelter, warmth, safety and hospitality is as old as humanity.

So, it may not have seemed extraordinary for a man and his wife, about to give birth, to crisscross the streets of a strange village late at night, knocking on barred doors in the hope of finding a place to rest and give the baby a proper welcome into this world.

The shreds of compassion and hospitality they finally encountered left them quartered with livestock in what somehow became a sufficient birthplace for the Word Made Flesh, the Savior of all humankind.

That is the story not only of how the Son of God first set foot upon the earth, but of how he takes up residence every day in the hearts and minds and communities of the people He came to save.

All who hear the Gospel are innkeepers who must decide whether to make room for him.

That is the basis for a time-honored Advent tradition that is observed each year in millions of households in this hemisphere.

“Las Posadas” — which means “The Inns” in Spanish — is a communal celebration that takes place throughout most Latin American countries in the days leading up to Christmas.

“It is a tradition of reenacting Mary and Joseph’s long and frustrating search for a place to rest and to have a baby,” stated Deacon Enrique Castro, diocesan director of Hispanic and Intercultural Ministries and executive director of faith formation, including marriage preparation and family life.

Rooted in movement and active participation, Las Posadas appeals to people of all ages, especially children.

Each evening, participants go from home-to-home, knocking on doors and singing.

“Those outside walking represent Mary, Joseph and Jesus going and trying to find a place to rest,” said Deacon Castro.

At each, they experience rejection, just as they did in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.

“They do this until they get to a house where they are welcome,” Deacon Castro stated. “They open their doors and let them in.”

Once inside, people venerate an image of Jesus while raising their prayer toward heaven: “This Christmas, Jesus, I offer you room in the inn of my heart. Make it a manger where you can be born.”

It is a celebration that combines hospitality and reverence.

“It is also a time of prayer as we reflect on the uncertainty of Mary and Joseph as they desperately search for a place to give birth to their child, the Son of God,” said Deacon Castro.

In addition, participants reflect on the joy and awe of the shepherds, who, guided by the angel’s tiding, rushed from the fields into Bethlehem to adore their newborn Savior.

Most parishes with large Hispanic populations in the diocese offer some sort of communal observance of Las Posadas.

People of all ethnic, linguistic and cultural traditions are invited to participate in this tradition communally or in the home, as an aid to their preparation for Christmas.

Becoming like children

Las Posadas started among Catholics in Mexico and spread throughout much of Latin America and the United States.

“Hospitality is rooted deep within the Latin culture and, consequently, in its religious traditions like Las Posadas,” noted Jose Maria Gonzalez, formation director for Sacred Heart School in Sedalia.

“In this celebration, the different houses — or other buildings, in some cases — become like an inn for the people who participate,” he said.

Together, they pray, share food, sing and rejoice for the Lord’s upcoming arrival.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know whose house you are visiting,” Mr. Gonzalez noted. “You know you are welcome as members of a greater family that we call Church.”

Children are especially encouraged to take part, to help them understand and stay focused on the true meaning of Christmas.

“Children get to dress up and play the role of Mary, Joseph, the angels, shepherds and other important figures from the story of Christ’s birth,” Mr. Gonzalez noted.

The prayers and songs are typically focused on Christmas, with having their origin in Spain.

“The Christmas songs are called Villancicos, and they have a childish vibe — as if we were all little kids singing to Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus,” said Mr. Gonzalez.

“I like that a lot because it allows you to be a child and leave your ‘adult’ worries behind and focus on adoring our newborn Lord,” he said.

“Following His example”

Las Posadas has evolved while spreading through much of Central and South America and into the United States.

“Like any other tradition, it tends to merge with the culture of the country where it takes place,” Mr. Gonzalez noted. “The spirit is the same, but the way it is celebrated can change a lot.”

Many who celebrate Las Posadas have experienced some aspect of the Holy Family’s journey — either looking for room at the inn or fleeing to another country for theirs and their children’s safety — or have friends or relatives who have.

Regional variations include the number of days the tradition is celebrated, the selection of music and prayers, the extension of the performance when children play roles, and the kind of food that is offered.

In all instances, there is a clear understanding that welcoming people in Christ’s name means welcoming him.

“The heart of Catholic hospitality relies on the fact that Jesus was very clear about his presence in the people around us,” said Mr. Gonzalez. “When we treat people well, we treat Jesus well. “When we fail to treat people well, we fail to treat Jesus well.

“No matter who the person is,” Mr. Gonzalez continued, “that person is valued by Jesus and created in the image of God, so he or she deserves all our love and hospitality.”

That connection is even stronger if the person is suffering or in need.

“If that’s the case, we have an even greater obligation to help and serve,” Mr. Gonzalez noted. “And we do this with joy because we are following his example.”

A clear purpose

Mr. Gonzalez pointed out that some Latin American countries — including Chile, his homeland — do not celebrate Las Posadas.

He cautioned against “accumulating devotions as if they were some sort of medals” or elevating them above the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

“The Holy Mass is at the center of our spiritual life,” he noted, “and we are free to develop devotions that help us get closer to God and, consequently, to people.”

With that in mind, he called Las Posadas “an excellent example of a Catholic devotion that helps people celebrate Christmas with a greater focus on God.”

“And since hospitality is an essential component of it, it helps people share and rejoice together, no matter their ethnic background,” he said.

 Portions of this article were originally published in the Dec. 14, 2018, edition of The Catholic Missourian.