Let the Fiestas Begin
I have always loved learning about the many ways that the different cultures of the world celebrate Christmas. Any one of us can become so culture-blinded that we think that our way is the only (or at least, the best) way. A number of years ago (quite a few now) I heard the Dave Brubeck Jazz Cantata/Oratorio La Fiesta de la Posada. I fell in love with it and have since done reading on this wonderful tradition that realy gets into the heart of Christmas.

With the Posadas the Christmas season really gets going in Mexico starting tonight. Here is an explanation I found from Assunta's web site:

In order to prepare for the day of symbolic commemoration, we have the "Posadas". These celebrations are a "Novena" or nine days before the 24 which is the "Noche Buena" or "Holy Night".

These Posadas are an enactment of looking for lodging of St. Joseph and Virgin Mary, called The Pilgrims going to Bethlehem for the Census according to the Scriptures. In Spanish we called them: "Los Peregrinos, San José y la Virgen María". Each family in a neighborhood, will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th on Noche Buena.

Every home will have a Nativity scene. The hosts of the home are the innkeepers, and the neighborhood children and adults are Los Peregrinos, who have to request lodging through singing a simple chant. All carry small lit candles in their hands and four teenagers of about the same height are chosen to carry Los Peregrinos, which are two small statues of St. Joseph leading a donkey, which Virgen Mary is riding sidesaddle. The head of the procession will have a candle inside of a paper lamp shade that looks like an accordion but open at the top and it is called a "Farolito" or little lantern.

The Peregrinos will ask for lodging in three different houses but only the third one will allow them in. That will be the house that is supposed to have the Posada for that evening. Once the innkeepers let them in, the group of guests comes into the home and kneels around the Nativity scene to pray the Rosary. The Rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer, which consists of the following prayers: 50 Hail Mary, 5 Our Father , 5 Glory and the Litany, which is a series of Praises for the Virgin Mary, plus singing traditional songs like Holy Night in Spanish of course!

After all the prayer is done, then it comes the party for the children. There will be a Piñata, (pronounce Pignata, for it has an ñ instead of an n), filled with peanuts in the shell, oranges, tangerines, sugar canes, and seldom wrapped hard candy. Of course, there will be other types of chants the children will sing while the child in turn is trying to break the Piñata with a stick while he/she will be blindfolded.

I love how this brings together so much of what we know Christmas is about, combines it with certain cultural ideas, adds the spiritual exercises of the faith and there it is- a celebration for the whole family. It begins in mid-month as a really great learning experience of the Nativity story. It involves all the senses in one way or another allowing for a powerful learning and spiritual experience.

So, to any friends in Mexico (or anywhere that the Posadas begin tonight, my best wishes!

Que tenga un buen posada!

A Christmas Album Extra



In honor of the Posadas beginning, I thought I would add Dave Brubeck's album as an extra. I love this album!

Unfortunately, the album is out of print. Figures!

So, put your name on the waiting list at Amazon.com or go looking at eBay or your local used music store. It's worth it.