LOS ANGELES, CA.- Santa Claus is coming to town again… And everybody loves to join Christmas celebration! So, this time I invite you to try something new besides the traditional Christmas tree, season carols and the gifts exchange with the family and friends. Let your Mexican festive spirit to flow in the air: Celebrate with a posada (lodging) and a pastorela (shepherds’ theatrical performance).
Following the Medieval Catholic tradition, some cultural organizations, churches and Latino community associations wherever there is Mexican-American population, commemorate Christmas remembering the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
Look for the community events in your area and join them as volunteer or guest. It’s always a great way to spend the Holidays. Most of the times community groups organize a single posada, although original celebration lasts from December 16 to 24, representing the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy.
Even you can organize your own posada - with its respective pastorela! - to have great fun in the Christmas Eve. Just prepare in advance a piñata, seasonal fruits and candies to fill the piñata, tamales, tacos, pozole or any other Mexican traditional dish for the dinner, and fruit punch beverage. Adults and kids will enjoy unforgettable moments!
Do not forget to buy some candles to light them up when the guests request “lodging”, along with little gift baskets to offer to guests , too. Print the lyrics to sing “la posada” - which are available in Internet - and you’ll be ready to celebrate.
If you wish your family and guests to perform a pastorela, you may need to prepare it 2-3 weeks in advance to get the costumes (shepherds, angels, devils, the three Kings, Mary, Joseph and little Jesus). You can play a traditional script or you can ad-lib a stage play. Everyone will have fun!