Las Posadas
The Birth of the
Baby Jesus
• Symbolizing the
journey made by
Joseph and the
Virgin Mary. Las
Posadas are a
Mexican tradition
carried out during
the Christmas
holidays by a group
of people who get
together to honor
the birth of Jesus
Christ.
Journey to Belen
• The Christian tradition
tells us that Joseph was
a descendent of David
and born in Belen which
is why the couple had to
travel to the town of
Belen. So they could be
counted in the census
ordained by the emperor
Augustus.
• However since Maria was
pregnant they had to find
shelter, but when they
couldn’t they had to settle
for a barn that somebody
offer to them.
Where do they
take place?
• In many places of
Mexico Las Posadas
take place on the
street. These places
are adorn with
Christmas lights and
decorations made out
of heno, also the entire
posada is represented
by real people to give it
more emphasis and
motive the spectators
to participate in the
play.
Candle Lights
• During the
Procession people
carry a small
candle light to light
their way while
singing letanias
which are songs
that are sang
through out the
whole procession
and define each
stage of the
posada.
Asking for
Shelter?
• At the end of the
letania, the people
go to the first
home were they
start asking for
shelter, some
people are inside
and others are
outside the home,
if the shelter is
deny then everyone
goes to the next
home.
Making Offerings
• Once shelter is
offer everyone
make offerings to
the baby Jesus and
then pray a rosary.
People sing
letanias
accompanied by
guitars and flutes.
Family and friends
get together and
the party goes for
hours.
Breaking the Piñata
• At the party
people also
break a Piñata
which is filled
with peanuts,
oranges,
tangerines,
sugar canes and
other wrapped
hard candy.
Meaning of Breaking
the piñata.
• breaking the
Piñata
symbolizes
abundance for
the whole year;
may it bring
happiness, food,
and well being
to those around
us.
The Food
• Traditional Food,
tamales,
champurrado,
Arroz con leche
and Bunuelos.
Las Posadas
• Posada Video
• References
• Blog
• Pictures used