Las Posadas
In the Christian liturgical year, Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus, a time of prayerful yearning for Emmanuel, “God with us.” To honor and mark this holy time, EMM offers Las Posadas, a church-wide Christmas pageant that invites us to experience the journey of the Holy family. Las Posadas, which means “The Inns,” is a traditional Advent/Christmas celebration in Latin America, particularly Mexico, and among many Mexican Americans. It dates back more than 400 years to Spain, when Catholic priests found they could best teach many of the Biblical stories by using drama. Las Posadas traditionally is celebrated for nine nights from December 16 through 24, culminating in the Christmas Eve worship service. It is designed to reenact the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and search for lodging.
This adaptation of Las Posadas invites you to imagine the experiences of individuals currently seeking asylum or refugee status. How are we called to welcome our neighbors?