I’m sure you’ve started hearing the familiar lyrics: “Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays…” and “I’ll be home for Christmas…” For many of us, home is A central theme for the holiday.
In the midst of darkness and cold, it’s no surprise that we crave the warmth, light and safety of those closest to us. Not surprisingly, our hearts and minds — and yes, our bodies — turn to what is familiar and comfortable. We long for a place where we can be ourselves, loved and accepted.
Meanwhile, Parts of The Christmas Tale tells a completely different story. It tells the story of a “decree came out…the whole world should be registered” which caused large numbers of people to leave their homes so they could be counted and taxed. It tells the story of how many people who travel are looking for the things we celebrate during the holidays: warmth, comfort, safety, security.
Among the travelers were Mary and Joseph, who—despite her pregnancy—could not find a place to live and were forced to find refuge in a stable, “where she gave birth to her first son and put him in In the manger, for there is no place for them in the inn.”
Las Posadas is a Latin American tradition that commemorates the days when Mary and Joseph walked the streets of Bethlehem looking for shelter and hospitality. Traditionally, on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, people parade through the streets of a city or town and ask for posada, or lodging, in song. Each time the group was turned away until they arrived at a predetermined place where they were greeted with food, drink, games and friendship.
In the meantime, Las Posadas not only helps us remember what Joseph and Mary went through, but invites us to walk with them—literally and figuratively, and by extension, all who continue to seek safe haven; in our Safe folks who crave a warm welcome in the streets, cities, and countries. Of course, Las Posadas invites us to follow in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary, sharing biblical stories, while also walking spiritually with all who seek a place like home today; a place of safety, hospitality and fellowship, a place of belonging feeling place.
We all need a place of our own. We all need places where we are accepted and welcomed; a place we can call home. Some of us are luckier than others to own or find such a place. Walking Las Posadas is a testimony to the basic human need for a home and a statement to the many who are still looking for it.
Join Las Posadas this year for a parade through the streets of our downtown. Take a walk with Mary and Joseph in the company of your fellow citizens. Come and stand in solidarity with all those who yearn to return home, to be safe, and to be welcome in our city.
On December 16th, you are invited to walk to Las Posadas. Gathering at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (2216 17th St.), our procession will begin at 5pm, from where we will walk less than 2.5 miles to many of our city’s businesses, culminating in a warm and generous hospitality at Mill Creek Christian Church (1660 S St.). Welcome to this event.
— Rev. Luis M. Rodriguez is the pastor of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
