Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

The night of las posadas

Saturday, December 16, 2017

From Matthew 17
Jesus told his disciples, "Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. And the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands."

And, of course, as he said this he had already suffered. Even before his birth, Jesus and his parents were turned away from house after house in Bethlehem. The story ends in a stable, where baby Jesus is born. Forever after, legends celebrate the manger and its baby. All of creation, men and women, children, and animals of all kinds recognize Jesus on the dark Bethlehem night, and lift up their songs of joy.

This is the "night of las posadas," Spanish for "accommodation." Many Hispanic communities celebrate this night with a street drama. Tomie dePaola writes of one such celebration.

Sister Angie is the patron of her town's tradition. She has always made the costumes for both the devils and for Jose and Maria. The year before she was given a beautiful carving of Jose and Maria, with their burro, on the way through the streets of Bethlehem, and she installed it in the church opposite her home. Everyone loves Sister Angie.

But this year she is sick, and for the first time the doctor will not let her attend Las Posadas. And then the snow comes storming in, and her friends Lupe and Roberto, dressed to walk the streets as Maria and Jose, are stranded in their pickup truck coming down the mountain to the village.

Everyone else is ready, but there can be no drama without Mary and Joseph. Father Vasquez is relieved when two others come dressed, with their burro, and offer to help. They knock on door after door. The devils come out and yell at them. The crowds boo the devils. Discouraged and growing desperate, they move on, and on, and on.

At long last they arrive at the courtyard gates. They knock again, and this time, no devils! The doors are opened wide. The bonfire inside blazes. Everyone rushes inside. They all want to be near the manger.

Finally Lupe and Roberto arrive, thinking they have ruined everything. Father Vasquez tells them Sister Angie's friends came to help. But her friends have disappeared, so Lupe and Roberto take their places beside the manger, and share hot chocolate and cookies with everyone.

In the meantime Sister Angie, feeling better, decides to light a candle in the church across the street from her home. She notices footsteps in the snow and then inside sees wet footsteps leading to the carving, where she will light her candle. She whispers, "Oh Maria, oh, Jose, my heart will always be open to you so that the Holy Child will have a place to be born."

And then with a start, she notices that on the shoulders of Maria and Jose, there is a fresh covering of snow.

Thank you, Jesus, for being born. Let my heart, too, always be open to you. You are close, and you surprise me over and over in every way with your generosity and your grace.

Devotions Archive

The night of las posadas

Saturday, December 16, 2017