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Kelly
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 12:13am | IP Logged
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I know it's not like any of us are sitting around on our thumbs looking for things to do...  still, I thought I'd put in a last-minute plug for planning a Christmas Posadas! This is something we've done for several Christmases now, with our hs group, and is very easy to do. It really adds the right touch to the Advent countdown to Christmas.
Emulating the Mexican posadas that many people do in Texas and New Mexico, and elsewhere, we meet at different people's homes for nine days before Christmas and "re-enact" Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. We pick a time, after dark (this year, it's 6:30) when we convene at the various homes. Everyone brings candles. The group congregates at the edge of the yard, and at 6:30, with lit candles, process to the door of the home, singing something Advent-y---usually "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (because everyone knows it!) When we get there, someone knocks on the door. The host for the night and his/her family open the door. We, the "pilgrims", sing our request for lodging. They answer (in the negative) with a verse. We respond. They answer. This goes back and forth four or five times. On the fifth verse, the hosts close the doors. There's no room in the inn.
Following that, we say the Christmas novena, then the hosts appear with steaming hot cider or hot chocolate. In keeping with the Wanderers theme, no one goes in, and there is no food served, but we sip and socialize for a few minutes, then disperse. It takes all of about 30 minutes.
On the last night, Christmas Eve, the pilgrims are finally admitted to the house for a Christmas party (preferably with a pinata!). Christmas has begun!
We use very simple music---in English--- that can be found in the book "Living the Liturgical Year" by Paula McEneany. There IS Mexican music out there, we just haven't gotten that advanced
You can get into the proper spirit by reading the book about Las Posadas by Tomie de Paula, as well as other books available on the 'net. One thing our family does that is fun is we line the driveway with luminarias made of plain brown paper bags---or sometimes milk jugs---it looks so neat.
On the whole, though, the secret is to keep it Short and Sweet, and don't make it too complicated. We just wait and see who shows up, too, that's part of the fun! It has proven to be something we've really enjoyed doing over the years. Combine it with reading the "O" Antiphons at the lighting of your Advent Wreath, and you have a really special, focused way of celebrating the waiting and watching period that precedes the Birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve.
Kelly in FL
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 4:48am | IP Logged
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This sounds lovely Kelly,though I did have to giggle a little. You're standing around outside at night for thirty minutes or so every evening. Last night, here in the DC area, at 6:30, it was 22 degrees outside ! Tonight we'd be standing in sleet and freezing rain. I wonder about a northern twist on the tradition?
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Genevieve
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 5:23am | IP Logged
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How about instead of different houses, different rooms in one house?
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MacBeth
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 9:37am | IP Logged
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Check out Mexgrocer for more ideas (the whole article is wonderful!!). Plus, they have all the ingredients! I have found their service to be fast and efficient, and the recipes are authentic (more or less...taking into account gringos like me, they do say you can use Minute Rice in recipes  ).
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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MacBeth's Blog 
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MacBeth
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Probably at the beach...
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 9:39am | IP Logged
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Kelly wrote:
There IS Mexican music out there, we just haven't gotten that advanced
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I'm thinking we would need more brass here to do it right .
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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JennGM
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 9:53am | IP Logged
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MacBeth wrote:
| Check out Mexgrocer for more ideas (the whole article is wonderful!!). Plus, they have all the ingredients! I have found their service to be fast and efficient, and the recipes are authentic (more or less...taking into account gringos like me, they do say you can use Minute Rice in recipes ). |
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You're always recommending this site, so I used them for OLG holycards. It's not food, but I was impressed with the service. Thanks for the tip!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 10:29am | IP Logged
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Here's a link to Posadas Songs
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Kelly
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| Posted: Dec 15 2005 at 4:50pm | IP Logged
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I HAVE heard of people doing their own posadas within a house, why not? As for standing in the snow and sleet, well...I guess there's a reason the Posadas originated in the warmer South (tho New Mexico can get pretty chilly, too). One year we had Posadas and it dipped below freezing. It just so happened that was our night-I made the fatal flaw of inviting people in for their hot apple cider. Big no no! I was roundly chastised by our children Since then, we've discovered that some Posadas just have to be shorter and sweeter than others, depending on the thermometer!
I'll check out the Posadas Songs link, thanks 
Kelly in much warmer Florida
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momtomany
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Thanks for the link to Mexgrocer! I wandered around there and found some Our Lady of Guadalupe items that my Leah doesn't have! So I got some great stocking stuffers for her that she will love!
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Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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Karen E.
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| Posted: Dec 16 2005 at 9:24am | IP Logged
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Genevieve wrote:
| How about instead of different houses, different rooms in one house? |
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We were going to do this last year when we were reading the AG Josefina story, but it got lost in the tumble of Advent activities ....
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Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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Lisa R
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Our church started this last year and it was so much fun. We went to 2 houses on the street and they both said there was no room at the inn and then finally the 3rd house let us in. We had snacks and such.
This year we are doing it with the whole community, Catholic and non-catholic who want to participate. We'll go from the elementary school to the middle school and then to our church hall for refreshments.
Unfortunately, it's been below freezing for the high temp. for the last 15 days! Thank goodness we wrap up in blankets as part of our costumes!
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Lisa, married to my best friend, Ray and loving my blessings Joshua (17)and Jacob(15), Hannah(7) and Rachel (5)!Holy Family Academy
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Las Posadas
