For some Latinos, Christmas posadas They are an essential part of the season’s celebrations. Just like having dinner with the family on December 24 and giving gifts the next morning, singing the Litany and breaking the piñata is one of the most anticipated moments of the year.

This tradition of Mexican origin which took a Catholic turn in colonial times has spread to other countries in Central and Latin America, such as Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Today, it is celebrated in many parts of the world, although it has become distorted over the years.

If you are just starting to celebrate Christmas posadas, you need to know exactly what they are about to maintain the essence of custom and continue extending his legacy to subsequent generations.

What are Christmas posadas?

When Christmas is nine days away, a representation is made of the times when Joseph and Mary knocked on other people’s doors in Bethlehem in search of a posada (asylum), since she was about to give birth to her son, the baby Jesus. However, they did not succeed, so the baby was born in a manger next to farm animals.

This route is known as ‘pilgrimage’ and it is recreated to reimagine the story, changing its ending to that they were received. Each bell is accompanied by a Litany that remembers its history through a song.

Lyrics to the Litany of the Christmas Posadas

Pilgrims:
in the name of heaven
we ask for a posada,
because he can’t walk
my beloved wife.

Hosts:
This is not an inn
keep going
I shouldn’t open
Don’t be some scoundrel.

Pilgrims:
Don’t be inhuman
have charity for us,
the God of heaven
will reward you.

Hosts:
You can go now
and do not disturb,
because if I get angry
I’m going to beat you up.

Pilgrims:
We come exhausted
from Nazareth
I am a carpenter
named José.

Hosts:
I don’t care about the name,
let me sleep,
So what I tell you
that we should not open.

Pilgrims:
Posada asks you
beloved home,
for just one night
the queen of heaven

Hosts:
Well if she is a queen
who requests it
how come at night
Are you so alone?

Pilgrims:
My wife is Maria
she is queen of heaven,
and mother will be
of the Divine Word.

Hosts:
Are you José?
Is your wife Maria?
Enter, pilgrims,
I didn’t know them.