The Travelling Nativity (or Posada) helps to remind us of the real meaning of Advent and Christmas, a time of opening our hearts to those less fortunate. A time to prepare for Jesus.
Posada is an old 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 place figures of Mary and Joseph in a crib.
Modern day Posada uses Nativity figures of Mary and Joseph who travel from place to place. This gives each ‘host’ the chance to create their own celebration in their home or place in the community, worshipping and reaching out to their communities with the real message of Christmas, making room for Jesus in their lives.
Where is the Travelling Nativity now?
This year’s First Holy Communion families will be hosting Mary, Joseph and the donkey for a few days each and then passing them on to another family. We hope the families will enjoy meeting each other and passing on the figures during Advent.
These two photos are from Leonardo’s family where the Travelling Nativity is currently residing.
Below is the final photo of the crib in front of the altar where Jesus will be placed this Christmas.
