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From December 16th until the 24th, the community at San Felipe de Jesus prays a novena in honor of the Holy Family. Known in Spanish as “las posadas” (“posada” means “inn”, as in “there is no room at the inn”), the prayer takes the form of a procession through the streets of the parish. Two children dress as the Virgen Mary (in her ninth month of pregnancy) and the stalwart Joseph, looking for a decent place for the birth of Christ. We arrive at a designated home, where we sing the verses of traditional song (“In the name of God, open up and give us a place to stay!” “We don’t know you! If you don’t leave, we are going to beat you with a stick!” “But I am Joseph and this is Mary the Queen of heaven” “In that case, come on in!” (my translation) and after prayer, enjoy a small party, with tamales, hot chocolate and a piñata for the children. The cold weather is a sharp reminder of the original plight of the Holy Family, and a reminder of how God chose to come amongst us—as a family without a home. (Photos by Michael Seifert)
From December 16th until the 24th, the community at San Felipe de Jesus prays a novena in honor of the Holy Family. Known in Spanish as “las posadas” (“posada” means “inn”, as in “there is no room at the inn”), the prayer takes the form of a procession through the streets of the parish. Two children dress as the Virgen Mary (in her ninth month of pregnancy) and the stalwart Joseph, looking for a decent place for the birth of Christ. We arrive at a designated home, where we sing the verses of traditional song (“In the name of God, open up and give us a place to stay!” “We don’t know you! If you don’t leave, we are going to beat you with a stick!” “But I am Joseph and this is Mary the Queen of heaven” “In that case, come on in!” (my translation) and after prayer, enjoy a small party, with tamales, hot chocolate and a piñata for the children. The cold weather is a sharp reminder of the original plight of the Holy Family, and a reminder of how God chose to come amongst us—as a family without a home. (Photos by Michael Seifert)
