Posada is a Spanish word meaning ‘inn’. Posada celebrations originated in Mexico where two young people were chosen to dress up as Mary and Joseph. They used to travel from house to house in their village telling people about the imminent arrival of Jesus and asking them if they would give him a room. On Christmas Eve they would re-enact a community play and bring figures of Mary and Joseph to be placed in the crib.
The modern day equivalent is based on this concept but encourages Churches to enable people to give a home to their nativity figures for a night. This will symbolise making room for Jesus in their hearts, homes and communities. Each night during Advent the figures travel around the parish from home to home arriving in Church on Christmas Eve in time for the arrival of our Lord.
The journey encourages people to think about the meaning of Christmas and to share the message with others. On Christmas Eve when the figures arrive back in Church the crib scene is built up during a service in preparation for Christmas Day.
Please sign up in church to host Mary & Joseph this year.
POSADA PRAYERS
A PRAYER TO WELCOME FIGURES INTO OUR HOMES
Eternal God, Father Son and Holy Spirit You are always present in our home unseen and often not acknowledged. Help us to experience the joy of looking forward this Advent and make it a time of new beginnings. We welcome these figures from the nativity and pray that you will bless this house and all of us who live here. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR OTHERS WHO WILL BE WELCOMING THE FIGURES AND TAKING PART IN THE POSADA
Lord God our Father, as we have welcomed these Posada figures into our homes, we pray that other people will open their homes and their lives to you at this Advent time. Help all who will be involved in the Posada by welcoming these figures to celebrate with expectation the waiting time between now and Christmas. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God bless you as you prepare for Christmas. May your Advent journey be filled with hope, joy and the light of Christ Jesus.
The material about POSADA is taken from the Church Army website.