Las Posadas: Pre-Christmas Mexican Festivities

A cherished Mexican custom for more than 400 years, posadas are seasonal festivals that perpetuate a Catholic tradition heralding the Christmas season from Dec. 16 – 24. These festivals commemorate the pilgrimage made by Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in their search for a place to stay and await the birth of the baby Jesus.
Posadas is derived from the Spanish word posada (inn), which refers to the impromptu lodging in the stable from the Nativity story. It uses the plural form because the celebration lasts for a nine-day interval (called the novena), representing the nine-month pregnancy of Mary. According to Christian tradition, each of the nine days denotes a value: humility, strength, detachment, charity, trust, justice, purity, joy and generosity.
In Mexico, the winter solstice festival has for centuries been one of the most important celebrations of the year. Posadas date back to colonial times, as a result of the merging of Catholic Christmas marking the birth of Christ; and the Aztec Panquetzaliztli, which celebrated the advent of Huitzilopochtli, god of war, from Dec. 16 – 24. (The image of the Aztec god was replaced by that of Mary and Joseph with the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the late 1500’s).
As for the posadas, during the nine days a pilgrimage is organized at sunset, with participants heading to a house where they ask for shelter, a simulation of Mary and Joseph’s journey.
The pilgrimage is accompanied by popular songs and prayers, candles and sparklers. Upon arriving at the house that offers them a posada, the hosts treat the guests with hot punch, sugar canes, donuts or tamales, plus a basket with sweets and peanuts called a colacion. At the end of the evening, the traditional seven-peaked piñata is broken.
In addition to being a beautiful decorative motif, the colorful piñata with seven spikes is freighted with meaning. It is made with bright colors and tinsel that represent temptation and the seduction of the soul to sin. Its seven peaks symbolize the seven deadly sins: anger, lust, pride, envy, greed, laziness and gluttony.
The person who hits the piñata is blindfolded, alluding to the fact that faith can defeat sin. When broken, fruits such as mandarins and jicamas come tumbling from the piñata, representing the goodness of God for having overcome temptation.
Festive, colorful and keenly anticipated by young and old alike in the run-up to Christmas Day, posadas signify the union and commonality of families, friends and neighbors.
Posadas are also a time to give back to the community. Donations are collected for those who are struggling or in need. For many, acts of charity are a reminder of the Christmas season’s spirit of unity and friendship.
While still religious in nature, posadas are now a cultural celebration enjoyed by friends and relatives throughout Mexico. In many households, posadas are a food fiesta that happens in the kitchen. For example, polvorones are the quintessential Christmas sweets. These nuttery-buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Mexican wedding cookies have somehow become synonymous with Christmas. They pair perfectly with champurrado, a rich, velvety hot chocolate drink. It’s the perfect beverage to savor on a cool winter morning in Los Cabos.