The 16th of December is the first day of Las Posadas as celebrated in many communities in Mexico and Central America.  Posada is literally translated as dwelling, home, inn. Therefore las posadas is a Judeo-Christian  reenactment of Mary and Joseph looking for a “place at the Inn” before Jesus is to be born.

Usually each of the nine evenings in which a community reenacts la posada, it is hosted at a different home.  For example, the host family,  and possibly a few other friends, will be in their home.  Other community members then will come as a group to the home. Often times a young woman is dressed as Mary and a young man as Joseph.  Once we even used a live donkey to carry Mary.  As the outsiders knock on the door they begin to sing a song about needing shelter.  The hosts open the door and sing back that there is no room at the inn.  Several stanzas later, the hosts recognize the situation and ask the strangers to enter.

Once all are together in the house, there might be a bible study with the readings leading up to Christmas. At the end, treats are served, and often in Mexico a piñata is broken by the children.

Christmas Eve is the last day of las posadas as Jesus is born.  In Latin America areas where I have celebrated Christmas, Christmas Eve is referred to as “el 24″ and New Year’s Eve is referred to as “el 31.”

BiLingo Kidz, Diego story, tells of las posadas in Spanish as often celebrated in Mexico.