Posadas

Posadas (which means lodging) are a Latin American tradition that kick off the Christmas season. The posada is supposed to signify Mary and Joseph looking for somewhere to stay and somewhere for baby Jesus to be born. From December 16th through December 24th is traditionally when the posadas are held, but here at NPH we beat to our own drum. Throughout the month of December we had six or seven posadas where two kids dressed up as Mary and Joseph and led us by candlelight through NPH in search of somewhere to stay. Christmas carols are sung in between stops and at each door there is a traditional posada song. Mary and Joseph (and all of us behind them) ask for a place to stay and explain that Mary is pregnant and the people inside the door say they do not have room. On December 24th the last posada is held and Mary and Joseph are finally given a place to rest and a place for the Jesus to be born. Here at NPH posadas are usually accompanied by a delicious snack, a warm drink, candy and piñatas.