Las Posadas

For Costa Ricans or "Ticos", Christmas is all about the coming of Baby Jesus.  A typical Christmas tradition to commemorate his birth is “Las Posadas”.   Las Posadas have been celebrated since the time of colonization, when Christmas was a purely religious holiday.  The Spanish brought the practice from the old world, and like many other countries in Latin America, we continue to carry on the tradition.

The tradition is a strong one, especially in the more rural communities.  Ticos plan for Las Posadas year round and have special church committees in charge of each neighborhood’s celebrations.  Posadas are very popular because they bring all the members of the community together. 

Las Posadas, meaning “places to stay”, are dramatic reenactments of the pilgrimage of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  They are celebrated over the course of the nine nights before Christmas.  The reenactment shows the couple’s attempts to find a place to stay for the birth of Baby Jesus. Las Posadas always culminate on Christmas Eve.  The “posada” is a procession through the neighborhood followed by a “rezo” (gathering to say the rosary) with pastries, coffee and candy.  A different family from the neighborhood has the honor of hosting the event each of the nine nights.

The statues of Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary are borrowed from a local church and lead the procession through the neighborhood.   Everyone meets at the same location every evening.  Adults or teenagers are in charge of carrying the statues while the neighborhood kids follow along.  During the procession, the kids sing religious songs and Christmas carols.  They beat on pots and pans with wooden spoons to accompany their chants.  It really is a fun and exiting night for the children!  The statues are carried around until they reach the destination of La Posada, the neighbor who has agreed to host the event that night.

When pilgrims arrive at the designated house, it is dark and quiet, as the host family pretends to be asleep.  The people in the pilgrimage sing loudly and joyfully to request “posada” for Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus who will soon be born.  The people inside the house deny the pilgrims by singing and yelling.   After a short time singing back and forth, the request for posada is finally granted, and all are invited to stay.  Everyone goes inside the home and prays the rosary. 

Then it’s party time!  Delicious treats like tamales and pastries are offered and are very popular with the neighborhood kids.  The adults continue to chat and catch up, while the kids continue to play and sing.  After the celebration is over, the statues of Mary and Joseph spend the night at the host house, a great honor for the hosting family.  Ticos say their home will be blessed, thanks to having received the special pilgrims during La Posada!

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