We were graciously invited to be a part of a Posada celebration.  It is a celebration re-enactment of Joseph and a very pregnant Mary traveling up from Egypt and trying to find lodging in Bethlehem. At the end of the re-enactment, the “pilgrims” stand outside the “inn” and sing a request for lodging.  Inside the “inn” the “innkeepers” sing to the “pilgrims” outside the closed door that there’s no room in the inn and to go away.

The dialog goes back and forth and finally, in the chorus, the door is opened and both the “pilgrims” and “innkeepers” sing together in a welcoming of lodging (here’s a YouTube video of the beautiful Posada song).

We started the evening at our language school with Leslie helping make tortas for later in the evening.

We then hiked for 20+ minutes or so up a steep road to an orphanage high above Xela (over 8,000 feet elevation – lots of huffing and puffing!) where we assembled to gather our “torches” for the procession back to school.

There was an “ark” with statuettes of Joseph and Mary that was carried along on the procession.

Leslie and I were given “torches” which were lighted candles wrapped in a red cellophane enclosure – and the kids were really excited to carry their own torches!

Once everyone had their torches lit we assembled to start down the trail back to school. Notice how high we are over Xela…

This time, going down, we took a trail – I suspect to more realistically re-enact what Joseph and Mary might have experienced.

Reaching the school, we waited for the people inside the door to get ready to sing…

Now we’re singing back and forth to the “innkeepers” inside…

…and this is the Posada song we sang back and forth.

The door is opened!  We all sang the welcoming chorus and went in to mix, mingle and eat!