They, like thousands of others across the United States and Mexico, are about to participate in las posadas, a mid-December tradition that recounts the Holy Couple’s search for shelter.

Literally "the inns," las posadas are rooted in a 16th-century Mexican tradition developed by Spanish missionaries to communicate the Christmas story to indigenous peoples, says Sister Rosa MarØa Icaza, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word who teaches at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas.

"There were more than 300 different languages spoken," she says. "So, in order to teach Bible events, particularly the life of Christ, these missionaries had to find ways to involve people in the story." Posadas have therefore evolved over the years as "an expression of faith, not simply a popular custom," Sister Rosa MarØa emphasizes.

Held Dec. 16 through 24, posadas involve everyone—adults, youth, children. People prepare their homes and agree on which houses to visit and where there will be hospitality each night. Traditionally, a different home hosts a posada each of the first eight nights, with the final posada scheduled in the local Catholic church on Christmas Eve.

In a posada, two groups of singers participate. One travels with the Holy Couple as they go door to door seeking hospitality. A second group of singers is stationed inside the residence.

Singing in Spanish, the pilgrims pose their requests to the homeowners, but their pleas fall on deaf ears: "En nombre del cielo," they sing, "os pido posada. Pues no puede andar, mi esposa amada." ("In heaven’s name, I ask for hospitality. My loving wife can walk no more.")

No, the indoor group sings back, "This is not an inn, go on your way. I cannot open up, you may be a thief!"

Moving from house to house, the travelers are repeatedly turned away until someone finally recognizes the Holy Couple and offers them hospitality.

"ÒEres tË JosT? ÒTu esposa es MarØa? Entren, Peregrinos, No los conocØa." ("Are you Joseph? Is Mary your wife? Come in, Pilgrims, I did not recognize you.")

Afterward, all joyfully burst out singing: "Entren, Santos Peregrinos, peregrinos, reciban esta mansion… "("Come in, Holy Pilgrims, pilgrims, accept this humble place. Not of this poor house, my house, but of my heart.")

The search now over, all gather inside for refreshments—typically spicy tamales served with hot chocolate or a similar drink called atole. A gaily decorated piÏata stuffed with sweets or small sacks of candy and fruit usually await the children. In some places, such as in Mexico, a dance will follow.

"We rejoice for being able to give hospitality, and we are honored by those who come to stay with us," Sister Rosa MarØa says. "Many non-Hispanics participate and enjoy this celebration as well."

This is the perfect vehicle for getting a community together in a fun way, says pre-teen Carmen Rubio, who joined in the posada hosted by Glenmary’s St. Jude Church in Boswell last December. "I think it’s also a good way for others to experience our customs and traditions."

Diane Gorges, another St. Jude parishioner, agrees. "I hope this tradition takes off here." Last December was just the second year the mission hosted las posadas.

The shared prayer and fellowship of the posadas create "a wonderful bonding" for those involved, says Glenmary Father Bob Poandl, pastor of the Boswell mission as well as of Immaculate Conception in Hugo. "People love this tradition because it connects them to something very happy from their past. And they want to pass this on to their children," he explains. "It also gives us a chance to love each other, which builds up our Church."

This is especially important in rapidly growing Churches or those divided by different languages, he emphasizes. Glenmary’s missions in Oklahoma are typical of Glenmary missions across the South and Southwest where the number of Spanish-speaking members is growing rapidly, often outnumbering the native English-speakers.

"At a posada, you find the home, enter it and share prayer together," says Father Bob. "There is always some tension, some concern as to ‘Am I doing it right?’ But we learn from each other. Then there is the shared food," he emphasizes, "an extension of the Eucharist which Jesus shared with us."

Besides fostering a sense of community, posadas also give people a better understanding of the gifts Hispanics bring with them as well as what trials they face.

"The posadas affirm many Hispanic cultural values," says Sister Rosa MarØa. She specifically mentions "endurance in the face of rejection; joy in giving hospitality; participation of all family members together; helping those in need by being with them; being a pilgrim people on the way to heaven; sharing food and housing with those in need, even out of our poverty; rejoicing in each other’s community."

Glenmary Father John Brown, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church in Idabel, in southeastern Oklahoma, sees in the posadas a reminder that the Church is universal.

"In the long run," he says, "events like las posadas show us how big the Church really is. This is a part of who we are in the body of Christ."

"Because of the integrity of the posada, you really get the feel of what Mary and Joseph felt, what our people are feeling," he adds.

This "beautiful transplant" provides Anglos like Father John with insight not only into the feelings of Mary and Joseph but also into the experience of the Hispanic and Latino people in his mission. "When the peregrinos (pilgrims) have doors shut in their faces, I wonder how angry Joseph must have been that his family was turned away. Being foreign, they were shut out."

Hispanics "are pretty open to taking in people and being wonderful to their guests," Father John continues. "But they also know what it’s like to be excluded (once they’ve left their homeland). I think the lived experience of the Hispanic people helps them better understand what Mary and Joseph went through."

The Mexican and Guatemalan people of Boswell, who have come here to find work to support their families, have brought their faith and their hopes along with them," Father Bob explains. "Having customs from their homeland practiced here provides a sense of familiarity. For them, the posadas provide a taste of home."

And, he continues, the posadas can make that same connection "for anyone who is not ‘at home.’"