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The Inns |
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Christmas festivities begin December 16th with The Inns (Las Posadas) and continues for nine (9) days symbolizing not only the nine (9) months that Mary carried the baby Jesus in her womb but also the nine (9) days of the long journey taken by the carpenter Joseph and his wife Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
In colonies throughout Mexico and in Cozumel, neighbors, families and church groups gather to reenact this momentous journey of the holy family as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem seeking shelter on the eve of the Savior's birth. The modern-day parade of pilgrims walk as Joseph and Mary did, all to the rhythm of hymns while stopping at designated houses to sing their requests for shelter. Those waiting behind the closed door of the homes (Inn) respond with a musical refrain, telling the travelers that they have no room. Finally after visiting several homes, the pilgrim travelers will reach a host home (Inn) where there is room and the group will go inside, pray, sing songs and share a meal.
The tradition of Las Posadas has a long history with its origins dating back to masses that were conducted inside the Augustinian convents back in Colonial times. In 1587, Fray Diego de Soria, a member of the Augustinian community in the Acolman convent (now in Mexico state), received permission from Pope Sixtus V for Aguinaldo Masses that were to be held during the nine (9) days before Christmas each year (December 16th - 24th). These dates also coincided with an annual feast conducted by the indigenous Hispanics for the birth of Huitzilopochtli. Additionally, with the Pope's approval for this celebration during these days, the Catholics were able to begin to Christianize this ancient local celebration of Huitzilopochtli's birth and begin conversion of the locals to Catholicism.
Most likely the La Posada "events" or rituals of today evolved through the teaching methods employed by the Catholic conquistadors and their clergy. Because the Spaniards didn't speak the local language, they created plays that would convey the story of the birth of Jesus to the so called "pagan" natives. Over the years, these plays evolved into oratories conducted in large ranch haciendas for friends and workers. As those ranchers and workers migrated to more urban areas and took the tradition with them, La Posada evolved into is current form in the early 19th century. Over time, people have responded enthusiastically to this form of theater and along the way added their own cultural touches including traditional food dishes and the ruthless smashing of piñatas.
The traditional star piñata with seven (7) points that is used this time of year represents the seven (7) deadly sins: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy and gluttony while the stick used to break the piñata represents virtue. The blindfolding represents a person struggling in blind faith to avoid the seven (7) deadly sins. Breaking the piñata symbolizes breaking free of the hold of the deadly sins and being able to enjoy the fruits of heaven as they fall like the candies and fruits fall from the piñata to enjoy.
So if you are visiting Cozumel during this period, you will often see many Las Posadas processions proceeding down many streets of Cozumel. They are usually led by young children, a boy and a girl, that represent Joseph and Mary and they walk to already designated homes seeking shelter. Until they arrive at the agreed upon home, they are turned away and joined by those that denied them shelter until finally, at the agreed upon home, they are given shelter. This is often the children's god-parents who welcome them and the much larger group now into their home for more songs, prayer and a meal..
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Copyright 2000 - 2024 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. Contributors retain the copyright to their work. Please do not take art or written content without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
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