LAS POSADAS By: Shannon Jones

1. LAS POSADAS By: Shannon Jones MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MEXICO TO YOU! (A third through fifth grade lesson)

2. What is Las Posadas? In Mexico, Christmas begins with Las Posadas, nine days in a row of candlelight and parties that start December 16 and end on December 24 or Noche Buena (Holy Night)

3. What does Las Posadas mean? In Spanish, las posadas means “inn” or “lodging” The Las Posadas procession (or parade) represents Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The procession is usually made up of children recreating the events.

4. How does the procession take place? The procession starts with two children dressed as Mary and Joseph.

5. How does the procession take place? Mary and Joseph are accompanied by other children dressed as angels, the wise men, and pastores y pastoras (shepards and shepardesses). The children stop at designated houses to sing a traditional litany or prayer asking for shelter.

6. How does the procession take place? At the final house, the couple is told there is no room, but they may stay in the stable. Then, the door is thrown open and all are invited to come in.

7. Why celebrate Las Posadas? Las Posadas helps teach children the story of the Nativity and keeps the spirit of Navidad alive.

8. What happens now? Once everyone is inside, they sing songs and eat lots of food, especially cookies and punch. The best part is that the children get to break open the piñata!

9. What songs do they sing?

10. What is a piñata? A piñata can be made using a round balloon and covering the entire surface with strips of newspaper that are covered in glue. Once the paper dries you can decorate the piñata with colorful paint and paper. After it is decorated, cut a hole in the top and fill it with candy and toys.

11. What kind of cookies? A favorite cookie for Las Posada is Bunuelos. They are made from flour, sugar and salt and fried, then they are covered with a honey glaze. Another favorite is Tea Wreaths, they are cut into circles and decorated with candied cherries and chopped pistachio nuts.

12. Comparisons Mexico celebration begins Dec. 19 w/ Las Posada Live processions featuring Mary and Joseph that go door to door Spiritual Feasting Piñatas filled with candy and toys United States Celebration begins Dec. 24 Live nativities featuring Mary and Joseph and caroling door to door Spiritual Feasting Stockings filled with candy and toys Santa Clause

13. Questions How do you say “Merry Christmas” in Mexico? What does Las Posadas mean in English? Identify some similarities between how we celebrate Christmas in the United States and Las Posadas. Identify some differences.

14. Read to find out more The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola. Las Posadas: An Hispanic Christmas Celebration by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith

15. Activities To celebrate Las Posada: Make a piñata to fill and break Eat traditional Mexican cookies such as tea wreaths and bunuelos

16. Recipes Tea Wreaths: 1 orange ¾ cup butter 2 eggs ½ tsp salt ½ c shelled pistachio nuts, finely chopped Candied red and green cherries 2 1/2c flour 2/3 c sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1 egg white Grate orange and save 1 tsp peel and 2 tsp juice. Into a large bowl, measure flour, butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, salt, juice and peel. Beat at low speed till well mixed. Shape dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap, chill 2-3 hours. On lightly floured surface roll 1/3 of the dough 1.4” thick (keep the rest chilled). With floured 2 ½” doughnut cutter, cut into circles. Preheat oven to 375. Place cookies 1” apart on lightly greased cookie sheet. Brush tops with egg whites and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Cut candied cherries into petal shapes and press into dough. Bake 10-12 minuts.

17. Recipes Bunuelos: 2 cups flour ½ tsp baking powder ¼ c milk 1 tbsp sugar 2 eggs 2 tbsp melted butter 4 c oil for frying Glaze: ½ c honey 1tsp lemon juice Heat until warm and spoon over bunuelos! Combine 1 ¾ cups flour with sugar, salt, and baking powder. In another bowl, beat eggs and milk and butter. Add to dry ingredients. Stir until the dough holds together. Stir in additional flour, about 1 tbsp at a time until dough is not sticky. Turn dough on to a lightly floured surface and let stand twenty minutes. Roll dough paper thin. Cut with doughnut cuter and stack between waxy paper. Heat oil to 375, fry dough a few at a time until puffed, about 30 seconds a side. Turn only once. Drain. Glaze immediately

18. Bibliography http://www.standy.org/lasposada.html This website contains simple information about las posada and supplied directions for making a piñata and the recipes for the cookies. http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/christmas.html This website has information about several Mexican Christmas traditions and contained two of the pictures used in this presentation (slides 2 and 4). http://www.angelfire.com/me/music17/enombre.html At this website, I was able to find words to the popular carol sang for las posadas. There are many lyrics at this site in a multitude of languages. www.picsearch.com This is where I found the other pictures and clip art depicting Las Posadas.

19. Bibliography  DePaola, T. (1999) The Night of Las Posadas. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Children. Hoyt-Goldsmith, D. (2000) Las Posada: An Hispanic Christmas Celebration. New York: Holiday House.