Aguinaldos by Virginia Nylander Ebinger

Author:Virginia Nylander Ebinger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunstone Press

Las Posadas

Another Christmas tradition shared by many but having its American genesis in colonial Mexico is las posadas, the dramatization of los santos peregrinos (the Holy Pilgrims) making their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, seeking shelter and a place for the impending birth of Jesus.

It is said that Saint Ignacio Loyola in sixteenth century Spain was the first to suggest a Christmas novena, nine days of special prayers, the nine days corresponding to Mary’s nine months of pregnancy before Jesus was born. In 1580 Saint John of the Cross developed the idea of a religious dramatization of the event.

In 1586 Friar Diego de Soria from Acolman, a Mexican Augustinian Monastery, was able to obtain a papal bull from Pope Sixtus V ordering that a misa de aguinaldo (Christmas gift mass), novenas on the nine days preceding Christmas Day, December 16-24, be instituted in Mexico. At first these were held in the church, and only gradually did las posadas evolve into the present form associated more with individual houses than with the church building.

This was still another way to show honor to the Aztec god Huiotzilopchtil in panquetzaliztli, the month both his birth and the winter solstice were observed, while at the same time celebrating the birth of the Christian God.

The songs associated with the observance of las posadas are sung by two choruses, los peregrinos outside the inn and los hosteleros (the innkeepers) inside.

While there are many variants in the specifics, the principal ingredients of las posadas remain the same: Saint Joseph leading the Virgin Mary on a burro, followed by shepherds, angels, animals, a star either at the beginning or the end of the procession. Sometimes children are the actors; sometimes small statues of the main characters are carried.

Usually three or four homes have been designated as places where the procession will stop to ask for posada. Singing as they move along, the group knocks at the door of the first house and sings the request for shelter. The hostelero sings his refusal. The group moves on to the next house, and the process is repeated. This may happen once again at a third house, or it may have been decided that the third stop will be the place where the pilgrims are granted entry. As the song changes to “Entren santos peregrinos,” the host welcomes the group into his home. More carols are sung, the rosary recited, and other prayers offered. At last the piñata is broken, and punch, tamales, and sweets are served. The activities are repeated on eight more nights, and the grandest part of all happens on Nochebuena.

Following are the two songs most commonly associated with the observance of las posadas.

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