You don’t have to live in Mexico to participate in this traditional family celebration of the Christmas season.
“Las Posadas” (“Posada” meaning lodging or shelter) is coming this Friday (Dec. 21) beginning at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church here.
“Las Posadas,” a traditional candle-lit procession, is a symbolic way to commemorate the cold and difficult journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter.
Children are invited to dress as magi (wise men), shepherds, Mary, Joseph, or angels.
Those wishing to be truly authentic may decorate “baculos” (walking staffs) or “faroles” (paper lanterns) using streamers, ribbons, or coloured paper.
And to make things even more meaningful, we will be having a real Jerusalem donkey lead our procession (your children will be fascinated to learn how this donkey gets its name).
The procession will begin at St. John’s Anglican Church at 5 p.m. We then will walk to designated locations “requesting shelter” for the holy family.
The procession will be “turned away” until we reach the final location (St. John’s Church), where we will be invited inside to take refuge “in the stable.”
What follows is a joyful fiesta of hotdogs, chips, hot chocolate, games, a telling of the Christmas story, singing, and, of course, breaking the piñata.
Participants are asked to bring along a non-perishable food item for the Salvation Army’s food bank, which will be offered to the Christ child at the manger.
This event is open to the whole community, young and old alike.
Do come and participate in this meaningful cultural celebration—walking in the footsteps of the earliest pilgrims—and gain a fresh awakening of the true meaning of this Holy Season.
We recommend that you bring along a flashlight and sled (if you have small children), and wear warm clothing.
For further information, call the church at 274-7692.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
