It’s about time for Christmas posadas, which means it’s time for warm ponche, candy and songs.
But the most important part is being with family and with community.
If it’s been a long time since you’ve celebrated a posada, or if it’s a custom you didn’t grow up with and you’re curious, here’s a guide for how to celebrate posadas in Colorado.
Christmas posadas are a tradition that celebrates the religious story of Joseph and Mary as pilgrims seeking shelter as baby Jesus was about to be born. In Mexico, posadas are celebrated for nine days leading up to Christmas, with community members doing re-enactments of Joseph and Mary’s journey door to door, singing, a lot of food, and even piñatas afterward.
Other Latin American countries have also adopted similar traditions.
In Mexico, the posadas also have roots going back to indigenous costumes, before they were a religious tradition. The Mexicas, or Aztecs, celebrated similar festivities at the end of their year.
Sarahi Hernandez, a co-organizer for a posada event in Denver, said the event honors the roots of the tradition.
“This is something that gives us the opportunity to bring everyone together,” Hernandez said.
Some events include gifts for children. And not all focus heavily on the religious aspects.
The event Hernandez is helping organize in Westwood on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 will include indigenous dances, and the traditional door-to-door singing will be from vendor to vendor. There will also be a festival of tamal and atole (a traditional pre-Hispanic drink) and other activities for the whole family.
Hernandez said that everyone is welcome. For those who are just learning about the tradition for the first time, she said the important thing is to come with an open mind to the beauty of the celebration.
“It’s about that feeling of something new, of a rebirth of joy, of being able to be happy,” Hernandez said. “One of the biggest things is the celebration aspect. Come with that festive spirit.”
There are various events in Colorado to celebrate. You can look for a posada at your local church or school. There are also these larger events:
Posadas in Colorado
Posadas – Mexican Pan Dulce Clay Craft
Friday, December 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Rudolfo “Corky” Gonzales Denver Public Library, 1498 N. Irving St., Denver, CO 80204
4th Posada Navideña in Aurora
Saturday, December 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Stampede in Aurora, 2430 S. Havana St., Aurora, CO 80014
There will be a mini-Nativity play and photos with Santa. There will also be free gifts for kids who are present.
Las Posadas by Tesoro Cultural Center
Sunday, December 24, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Outside The Fort Restaurant, 19192 Highway 8, Morrison, CO, 80465
This quick posada on Christmas Eve will host musicians playing traditional songs, and there will be traditional hot chocolate and biscuits.