Las Posadas
la posadas novenario extended devotional prayer celebrated chiefly latin america el salvador mexico guatemala honduras latin american united state typically celebrated year december december latin american country continued celebrate holiday change tradition la posadas derives spanish word posada lodging accommodation case refers inn nativity story us plural form celebration last nineday interval called novena christmas season represents ninemonth pregnancy mary mother jesus christ celebration mexican tradition year starting many mexican holiday include dramatization original event tradition root ritual bible play used teach religious doctrine largely illiterate population th thcentury europe play lost favor church eventually banned became popular addition folk music nonreligious element reintroduced th century two spanish saint christmas pageant — new kind religious ceremony accompany christmas holiday mexico winter solstice festival one important celebration year came december according julian calendar used spanish according aztec calendar tonantzin mother god celebrated winter solstice still feted december important deity sun god huitzilopochtli born month december panquetzaliztli parallel time native celebration celebration christmas lent almostseamless merging two holiday seeing opportunity proselytize spanish missionary brought reinvented religious pageant mexico used teach story jesus birth friar diego de soria obtained papal bull pope sixtus v stating christmas mass observed throughout mexico nine day preceding christmas day root catholicism protestant latino also follow tradition two people dress mary joseph certain house designated inn head procession carry candle inside paper shade actor travel one house night nine night house resident responds singing song pair recognized allowed enter group guest come home kneel around nativity scene pray typically rosary final location may church instead home individual may play various part mary maría joseph josé expectant mother riding real donkey attendant angel shepherd joining along way pilgrim may carry image holy personage instead child may carry poinsettia procession followed musician entire procession singing posadas pedir posada end night christmas carol sung child break open starshaped piñatas everyone sits feast piñatas used holiday traditionally made clay one event portland oregon finish santa claus christmas gift donated needy child large procession held since along san antonio river walk traverse large landmark san antonio texas including arneson river theater museo alameda spanish governor palace ending cathedral san fernando philippine tradition la posadas illustrated panunulúyan pageant sometimes performed immediately misa de gallo midnight mass sometimes nine night main difference compared mexico actor used mary joseph instead statue sing request accommodation line innkeeper also often sung sometimes respond without singing another difference lyric spanish philippine language nicaragua older generation grew celebrating posadas tradition fell fashion city however another major holiday called la gritería shouting december honor la purísima virgen purest virgin la purísima originated león franciscan friar celebration spread quickly throughout country became national holiday since become tradition nicaraguan diaspora la purísima start noon december major firework around pm firework announce time adult child go around neighborhood town burlap sack hand visiting different altar caroling virgin mary exchange singing people receive sweet fruit toy celebration go night midnight firework shape mary star angel begin typically lasting half hour cuba similar tradition called parrandas though atmosphere similar carnaval tradition began th century father francisco vigil de quiñones priest grand cathedral remedios order get people go midnight mass week christmas idea put together group child provide jar plate spoon could run around village making noise singing verse idea persisted year gained street party ending colombia venezuela ecuador family friend gather th th december pray novena de aguinaldos christmas mexico simbang gabi