By Diana Dworin
Pass the faith
Christmas journey F
Las Posadas traditions prompt holiday hospitality
or many families, Christmas is a time for a journey. It could be an airplane trip to see grandparents, or a visit with the neighbors at an open house or party. The idea of a Christmas journey, however, also provides rich lessons for parents to tap into during the holidays as they expand their children’s understanding of the themes of Jesus’ birth, said Paul Bailie, pastor of San Lucas Lutheran in Eagle Pass, Texas, a congregation along the U.S./Mexico border.
“When we celebrate only on Christmas Eve or Christ-
mas Day, the season becomes more about consumerism and anticipation than a celebration,” said Bailie, who also helps lead San Lucas’ outreach ministry at a small Lutheran parish, Cristo Rey, in nearby Piedras Negras, Mexico. “But this season is something special. It’s not just for two days—it’s something we should actually be cel- ebrating all year long.”
At San Lucas, the congregation delves into the holiday journey theme as it hosts an all-ages Las Posadas proces- sion through its neighborhood (shown above) in the days before Christmas Eve. Members go door to door re-enact- ing the story of Joseph seeking lodging for his young wife, Mary, who is at the end of her pregnancy. At each house, they’re turned away. Finally, the procession finds lodging when the group circles back to the church for a celebra- tion meal of tamales, posole (a rich hominy soup) and horchata (a sweet rice drink spiced with cinnamon). Las Posadas teaches children valuable lessons about showing hospitality to those whom God gives us the opportunity to greet. “It reminds us of our own journeys in
life and how we seek and receive a welcome from others,” Bailie said. Families celebrate the spirit of Las Posadas, which is rooted in Mexican culture and practiced in many Latino faith communities, when they: • Play with the story. Parents of young children can try a modified version of Las Posadas in their home. Have family members play the roles of Mary, Joseph and the innkeepers (even the family pet can star as the couple’s donkey) and go
from room to room in the house. End your travels in the kitchen with some treats, and read the story of Joseph and Mary’s trip to Bethlehem. Talk about how it felt to play the different roles. • Practice your welcome. Las Posadas reminds us that new people we meet carry the light of Christ with them— much like Mary did on her journey to Bethlehem. The way we greet and welcome others is a chance to extend Christian love and hospitality into the world during the holiday season and beyond.
Tried & true
To Dance With God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration
Holiday celebrations are special times within the
lives of families—but finding ways to creatively and meaningfully tie these traditions to faith can be a chal- lenge for parents. Gertrud Mueller Nelson’s classic book, To Dance With God: Family Ritual and Community Celebration (Paulist Press, 1986), is a superb resource for parents in search of ways to connect their families with the meaning and flow of life’s celebrations. Nelson, who has a background in Montessori
education, explores dozens of ideas for celebrating Christmas, the liturgi- cal church seasons and other days through insightful chapters and beautiful illustrations.
Lutheran mom
Dworin, 42, is a mother of three and a former parenting magazine editor. Contact her at diana@
passthefaith.org.
December 2012 41
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