The Posada Adventure

Will you welcome the Holy Family into your home this Christmas?

Have you heard about Posada? It is a Mexican tradition where young people dressed as Mary and Joseph travelled from house to house asking for a room for the night and telling people about the imminent arrival of Jesus in the weeks leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve they would visit the local church to re-enact the nativity and to place figures of Mary and Joseph in a crib.

A version of the idea has spread to church communities world-wide. During Advent, crib figures of Mary and Joseph (donkey optional!) travel from place to place in the community, such as schools and private homes. This gives each 'host' the chance to create their own celebration if they wish to, inviting their friends and neighbours to share the real message of Christmas, making room for Jesus in their lives. The Church Army has prayers and other resources, including a special Posada board game which should keep the children involved.

Each host makes arrangements to pass the figures on to the next host on the Journey Rota. On Christmas Eve everyone gathers to welcome Mary and Joseph into the church with a celebration crib service.

For more information see www.churcharmy.org.uk/posada

For a variation look at the Posada chainblog on
http://nouslife.blogspot.com/2006/12/posada-chainblog-2006-start-here.html