Hostel search
In the Christian tradition, the search for a hostel is the unsuccessful search by Mary and Joseph for accommodation in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus Christ . The scene is a popular dramatization of the brief quotation from the Gospel of Luke ( Lk 2.7 EU ).
During Advent , re-enacting the “hostel search” and singing the appropriate Advent carols is an old Christian custom that is still practiced today in families and church services . Two children take on the roles of Maria and Joseph, while the father or an older child plays the hostess father who rejects them. Usually one of the well-known alternating chants provides the framework for the game, for example the song Who knocks? The custom has its origin in the medieval Christmas games as spiritual or liturgical games; it became independent and developed in the 16th century. In Mexico this resulted in Las posadas .
Another form of hostel search is the wandering mother of God (also: women carrying ), which has recently come into use. A Madonna statuette , a carved Holy Family or a holy picture of the Blessed Mother is brought from the church in a host family and travels every night to another family on. Before the handover, a short joint Advent celebration is held or at least one or two prayers are said and Advent songs are sung.
See also
literature
- Niko Kuret: The origin of the search for a hostel. In: Studia Mythologica Slavica 1 (1998), pp. 23-25 ( online ; PDF; 69 kB).
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Manfred Becker-Huberti : Celebrations, festivals, seasons. Living customs all year round. Special edition. Freiburg-Basel-Vienna 2001, ISBN 3-451-27702-6 , p. 123.