A Bell is not a Bell until you Ring it ...: Caminando por Tegucigalpa en la noche de la Navidad …

… Walking through Tegucigalpa on Christmas Night ...

The group walking home one afternoon afte Las Posadas

This title is the opening line of a song which is now dear to my heart. It is one of the Christmas carols we sang almost every Posada in the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve. Las Posadas are a Mexican Christmas tradition which has been fully embraced in Central America. It my neighborhood it has been modified from its original form.

Joseph knocking on the door

Each of the 8 days we celebrated Las Posadas the children arrive at our house around 4 pm. Two girls dress up like Mary, the mother of Jesus, and two boys like Joseph, her husband. Then we set out singing in two groups, each with guitar and chorus, to visit houses in the neighborhood. As we walk through the cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways of our neighborhood, past pigs and puppies, children, young and old, join us as pilgrims in search of a place for Mary to have her baby. Once we arrive at our first destination, half the group goes inside with the hosts, shutting the door behind them. The pint-sized Joseph remains outside with his tiny wife and the rest of the pilgrims. He knocks on the door and as the guitar begins a song. Those inside sing the part of the Inn Keeper who at first refuses the couple and complains that they are a nuisance but finally gives admittance. Outside the other group responds singing the part of Joseph, begging for a place of rest for his wife. At the end of the song the tempo picks up and everyone joyfully enter the house.

Singing carols ... as loud as possible!

Once inside someone reads a part of the Christmas story and shares a little devotional. We pray. We sing another Christmas carol or two. Then usually the family gives the pilgrims something to eat and drink. Finally, we move on to our next house with the family of the first house joining the journey.

Las Posadas have become a very important part of the Christmas celebration in our neighborhood. Our friends clean their houses, put on their Sunday best and decorate to receive Las Posadas. Some cook all day, others spend a few precious Limpiras to buy a soft drink and some cookies. None of this is necessary, but it is done as a sign of love and out of joy. And each year it grows as more friends want to participate. This year over 90 families opened their doors.

One of my little friends, Mario, is five years old. It is hard to imagine a five year old on the fast track to no-where-good, but he sadly is. The very first day he wanted to be Joseph. He joined us almost every day. Sometimes he misbehaved. Other times he was an angle. When Las Posadas ended, he was sad. He wants us to continue them all year long. If only we could!!!