Planning a Mexican Posada

One of the most wonderful holidays of the year is approaching: Christmas! And well, companies start organizing their traditional Mexican Posada.

What are the Posadas?

Do we know what posadas are and where do they come from? Well, the Posadas are the 9 parties linked mainly to the Catholic Church which are traditionally organized in Mexico between December 16th to the 24th, that is, on the dates before the birth of Child Jesus, on December 24.

The Posadas make reference to the pilgrimage that Mary and Joseph made when Mary was about to give birth to Jesus, looking for a place to spend the night, hence the term "asking for an inn" (pedir posada) which is the name of the celebration itself. Likewise, these 9 days of posadas represent the 9 months of Mary's pregnancy.

The Celebration

Now here comes the fun part: organizing a party in honor of this event. Some of the traditional posada customs have been, but it would really be very nice to retake them. Do you want to know, in addition to the party itself, what you should include to have a true Mexican Posada? We all have our own personal touch when it comes to organizing it, here are our suggestions:

Tips to Organize a Mexican Posada

1.- Asking for posada

It's one of the best activities that can be planned for this event, since guests make an actual representation of it, of asking for a place to spend the night at. Half the guests stay on the inside of the venue while the other half waits outside. Each group sings their own part of the Posadas Litany (which we share below* in Spanish, since its sung in this language). You can also bring candles or sparklers for the guests to hold while singing it.

2.- Piñatas

Yes, it's Mexico, there are piñatas involved. Once the asking for posada is over, it's time for piñatas, but not just any piñata, posadas piñatas are different, they have their own decoration and meaning. They can be made of clay or cardboard and decorated with different bright colors, like any other piñata but, they have the shape of a 7- ray star, each ray represents one of the capital sins (pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth) which should be destroyed when hitting the piñata. The strength with which one hits and destroys each of these rays (sins) represents the strength with which one cleans his own sins and wins the battle against the devil.

3.- Pastorela

One of the activities that would definitely give a unique touch to your event is the representation/play of the Pastorela, in which all the characters of the birth of Christ appear:

• Shepherds
• Mary
• Joseph
• The three wise men
• The devil, who usually plays a funny role
• And the main character: Jesus Christ

You can hire a theater group to give you this service or, if you have the time to organize it, you can get a script and give it your own special touch. It can be represented by some of your guests, and let the others watch.

4. Gastronomy

When it comes to gastronomy, sugar fritters (buñuelos) and ponche are a must in this event.

Ponche is a delicious hot drink that helps you fight the cold weather of the season. It's made of:

• guava
• tejocotes
• sugar cane
• apple
• prune
• cinnamon
• nuts
• Jamaica
• And some people like to add: tamarind, almonds and raisins.

Want to give your ponche a special touch?

Then you must add the well-known piquete, that is, a touch of some alcoholic beverage. I highly recommend adding a shot of one of our white or silver tequilas! You will give it a unique flavor!

Source of ponche picture

*Posada Litany

We here share with you the Posada Litany to sing it with your guests:

• Peregrinos (Guests outside the venue)

En el nombre del cielo, yo os pido posada, pues no puede andar, mi esposa amada.

• Hosteleros (Guests inside the venue)

Aquí no es mesón, sigan adelante, no les puedo abrir, no vaya a ser un tunante.

• Los Peregrinos

No sean inhumanos, dennos caridad, que el dios de los cielos, se los premiará.

• Los Hosteleros

Ya se pueden ir, y no molestar, porque si me enfado, los voy a apalear

• Los Peregrinos

Venimos rendidos, desde Nazaret, yo soy carpintero, de nombre José

• Los Hosteleros

No me importa el nombre, déjenme dormir, pues yo ya les digo, que no hemos de abrir

• Los Peregrinos

Posada le pido, amado casero, pues madre va a ser, la reina del cielo

• Los Hosteleros

Pues si es una reina, quien lo solicita, ¿cómo es que de noche anda tan solita?

• Los Peregrinos

Mi esposa es María, es Reina del cielo, y madre va a ser, del divino verbo

• Los Hosteleros

¿Eres tú José? ¿Tu esposa es María? entren peregrinos, no los conocía

• Los Peregrinos

Dios pague señores, vuestra caridad, y os colme el cielo, de felicidad

• Everyone-

Dichosa la casa, que abriga este día, a la virgen pura, la hermosa María.
Entren Santos Peregrinos, peregrinos, reciban este rincón, que aunque es pobre la morada, la morada, os la doy de corazón.

Litany source: https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=ss&p=2111

Celebrate your Posada at Quinta Sauza, Tequila

If you don't have the chance to organize your own Posada, don't worry! we, at Sauza, can take care of everything so you only worry about enjoying the event. At Quinta Sauza, we have the perfect venue for it and the right package to fit your needs.

I will soon share new posts with more information, follow my blog!

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