Sisters commemorates La Posada

Reading lyric sheets with frosted breath in the glow of candlelight, a group of Sisters families and friends celebrated the Hispanic tradition of La Posada on Friday evening, caroling door-to-door and returning to Sisters Elementary School for a sumptuous meal and ceremonial piñata bashing.

Members of Sisters' Hispanic community shared this colorful Mexican Christmas countdown, which translates in English as "the lodging."

It symbolizes the Biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus, being turned down at random inns before being admitted to the final livestock grotto to rest. The nine-day celebration lasts from December 16 to Christmas Eve, called Noche Buena or "Holy Night," and combines a candlelit parade of children and parents reenacting the historic journey through a cold, starlit Bethlehem.

Sisters resident John Soutter has participated for many years.

"I've been involved in teaching English to the Hispanic community here and believe this is a great opportunity to share in the different traditions at Christmastime," he said. "I enjoy their events and their hospitality. It's a fun thing seeing all the kids dressed up, and being a part of their lives."

The procession left the school grounds behind a strumming guitar and headed north into the neighborhood, stopping at homes to sing the appointed songs to ask for shelter. Muffled voices behind closed doors reject the travelers in a chorus designed to send them away down the street. Upon arrival, the hosts or "innkeepers" meet the needful group at the door to begin the holiday fiesta with an exchange of lyrics from the traditional Pidiendo Posada song.

At each of the first two homes, outside singers ask for shelter in the name of Heaven and are denied entrance. This exact exchange is repeated at alternate homes until, at the last home, Joseph insists and they are recognized and greeted warmly with the words translated into: "Come all you pilgrims, receive this corner even though it is poor. I give it to you with all my heart."

Jennifer Ortega is one of the organizers and was glad to see such a strong, varied turnout.

"This is our sixth year doing this in Sisters and the families really look forward to it," she explained. "It's part of their heritage and a wonderful time in the Hispanic cultural calendar. We love introducing our Christmas events to the Sisters community and teaching them some of our traditions. La Posada is the preparation and welcome of the baby Jesus during the night Mary and Joseph seek shelter. We usually sing in three homes before we're accepted and then the party really begins."

Back at the elementary school hall, hungry pilgrims returned for a huge meal of pozole, a ritually significant corn stew cooked with pork or chicken with tostadas and tables of assorted Mexican pastries, homemade flan and other sweets. The evening ended with the ceremonial breaking of the piñata.

On Christmas Eve, Las Posadas culminates in day-long feasting at the Cena de Noche Buena when happy families gather for a traditional meal of romeritos (baked shrimp with rosemary), bacalao (dried cod), heaps of warm, sugary bunuelos, glasses filled with Christmas eggnog drink, coquito, and holiday platters of meat pastries called pasteles.

"It feels just like home with all the relatives and my friends at Christmas," said Kyara West, 11. "I love piñatas and being here with my family during the holidays. Feliz Navidad to all."