As December arrives, streets across Latin America fill with the soft glow of candles, the sweet scent of tamales, and the sound of familiar songs echoing into the night.
For nine evenings leading up to Christmas, families and neighbors come together to celebrate “Las Posadas,” a beloved tradition that blends faith, community and festivity in a way that has endured for centuries.
Rooted in Catholic tradition, “Las Posadas” — meaning “the inns” or “lodgings” — recreates Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. The ritual dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish missionaries introduced it as a way to teach the story of the Nativity to Indigenous communities. Over time, it evolved into a unique celebration that combines religious devotion with music, food and hospitality.
Each night from Dec. 16 to 24, a group of “peregrinos” — pilgrims — carrying candles or lanterns walks from house to house, singing a traditional litany that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s plea for shelter.
At each door, hosts respond in song, turning them away until finally one home opens its doors, symbolizing the inn that welcomed the Holy Family. Once inside, the procession transforms into a fiesta filled with laughter, prayer and plenty of food.
Children eagerly await their turn to break the brightly colored piñata, often shaped like a star with seven points representing the seven deadly sins. With every swing, they are reminded of the triumph of good over evil.
Meanwhile, adults sip “ponche navideño,” a warm fruit punch spiced with cinnamon and cloves, and enjoy dishes like tamales, buñuelos and atole.
But beyond the food and festivity, “Las Posadas” represents something deeper: the value of welcoming others.
“It’s not just about religion — it’s about community,” Maria Lopez, who hosts a “posada” every year in her neighborhood in Guanajuato, Mexico, said. “We open our doors to friends, family, even strangers. It reminds us to share what we have.”
In modern cities and Latin-American communities across the U.S., “Las Posadas” continues to thrive. Churches, schools and cultural centers host public celebrations, often blending old traditions with new touches like mariachi music or neighborhood potlucks. For many families, it’s a way to preserve heritage while bringing people together during the holiday season.
As candles flicker and voices rise in unison with the familiar refrain, “Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos, reciban este rincón” (Come in holy pilgrims, pilgrims, receive this corner) — the true meaning of “Las Posadas” shines through.
It is a celebration not only of faith, but of warmth, generosity, and the enduring power of community.