UU Service: “The Posada Tradition”

UU Service: “The Posada Tradition”

Elisa Gonzalez and Cliff DuRand

Sunday, Dec. 16, 10:30 a.m.

La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio #15

Mexican and US national Elisa Gonzalez and Cliff DuRand, a US citizen living in San Miguel, discuss the posada tradition and its lessons for us today in a time of mass migrations at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship service.

Posada literally translated means Inn, but it is also the popular name given to the traditional Pedir Posada of asking for shelter in the saga re-enactment of the holy pilgrims Joseph and Mary on their trek to Bethlehem.

The posada season starts on December 16 with chants and processions every evening around the vicinity of different churches in San Miguel colonias. The season culminates on Christmas Eve with the last posada and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Different families in the community sponsor eight posadas prior to Christmas Eve. Neighbors are invited to celebrate the successful achievement of finding shelter with the breaking of a piñata and the ensuing celebratory eating and drinking. This tradition dates back to the colonial evangelization of the different indigenous nations. Created by the Catholic missionaries who accompanied the conquering armies into what is now Mexico, the different rituals and celebrations have changed very little throughout the years.

This year here in San Miguel we have seen the Central American caravan of refugees passing our way, a kind of modern day posada. What has been a plea for shelter asked in the name of heaven is now a plea for asylum in the name of human rights. This comes on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. In this humane spirit our times call for opening doors, not the building of walls.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 and welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. For information about our Children’s Sunday Program, contact us at chris.chase1955@gmail.com. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs for hospitality and discussion afterwards. Wheelchair accessible. For additional information, visit our web site at uufsma.org.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

Members regularly post updates and information on this site. We also post meeting minutes and announcements there.

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