Children in Oaxaca celebrate Las Posadas with a traditional, star-shaped piñata .
The posadas are pre-Christmas celebrations that are celebrated in Latin America , Mexico and also in the southwest of the USA from December 16. The custom is not only observed by Roman Catholic Christians, but can also be found on the calendar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . There are a total of 9 days ( novena ); each day symbolizes a month of Mary's pregnancy. The custom represents the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus and their search for a hostel in Bethlehem. The last posada is therefore celebrated on Christmas Eve.
The tradition comes from the Augustinians who, in their attempt to convert the Indians, used their customs to adapt them to the Christian faith. The Aztecs celebrated the coming of Huitzilopochtli in December . The first posada is said to have taken place in the Monastery of Acolman 52 km northeast of Mexico City . The Augustinian prior Diego de Soria from the monastery of San Agustin Acolman achieved with Pope Sixtus V that the nine-day devotion was given special indulgences . The custom, which began in churches and monasteries, soon became popular in the home and neighborhoods. There was always piñatas and traditional Christmas carols were sung.
Nowadays, friends and relatives meet in one house, changing daily. Some stand in front of the front door and depict Mary and Joseph asking for a place to stay. The innkeeper is in the house with his guests. They are sung alternately. They all hold a small candle. Sometimes children carry the figures of Mary, Joseph and the donkey in their hands.
