A “posadas” procession at the US/Mexico border in Arizona, 2015

 
See my Christmas Poetry – churches are welcome to use them with attribution….
 
“Las Posadas” is an old Mexican tradition enacting the effort by Mary and Joseph to find a place to stay on Christmas Eve. Actors depicting Mary and Joseph wander from “inn” to “inn” asking for a room, with a singing candlelight procession following them through the town. A link to the tune of the song: http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=2111&c=50. Here I offer my own words for the tune:

Las Posadas

At each stop (4 inns plus the final destination), everyone sings:
Help us, dear innkeeper, we’re seeking shelter
Mary is pregnant, about to deliver
Help us, dear innkeeper, find a place to stay;
Mary must rest, for the baby is now on its way!

At each of the four stops the innkeepers answer:
We have no rooms and the hour is too late
You are too poor for our high nightly rate
Go down the highway and seek a cheaper place
Maybe you’ll find one that still has some space.

At the final destination, the innkeeper sings:
Welcome, dear travelers, wand’ring so far
Stumbling along by the light of a star
We have no rooms but we’ve got a place to stay
Back in our manger we’ll make you a bed in the hay.

All sing in response:
Jesus was born in a humble little manger
Honor him now as you welcome the stranger
Offer him room in your heart and soul tonight
Join in the spirit of giving and sharing his light.
 
ABOUT JIM BURKLO
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Associate Dean of Religious Life, University of Southern California