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One way that people in Latin America anticipate celebrating Jesus’ coming at Christmas is by celebrating Posadas. But what is a Posada?
Posadas are popular celebrations that take place during Advent in Mexico and Guatemala. Some other countries like Colombia and Venezuela have similar festivities called Novenas. In 1587, Saint Diego de Soria started a novena of Masses in Mexico prior to Christmas Day—from December 16 to 24—to remember Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This tradition has evolved through the years and now includes other elements like carols, piñatas, Nativity plays called pastorelas, and fireworks.
Posadas begin with a procession from a church or through several homes in a neighborhood. People bring an image of Joseph and Mary from house to house as they sing a traditional song that recalls the difficult journey they endured on their way to Bethlehem. In fact, the word Posada means “inn or lodge.”
My family has a tradition of the grandkids dressing up as Joseph, Mary, angels, and shepherds, so they can participate more actively in this celebration. Sometimes we even bring a real donkey! The participants hold candles as they walk while praying the Rosary. When they arrive at the home that will host that night’s Posada, they break a piñata that’s in the form of a star with seven points, representing the Seven Capital Sins. Finally, children get fruit and candy, and everyone shares a nice dinner.
May the Lord give us the ability to joyfully anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth like Mary and Joseph did. May we not be brought down by the obstacles that are in our way. Amen.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Holy Heroes
Love: 4th Sunday of Advent
The Plan for Jesus’ Birth
Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph
Advent Videos
A Journey Through Advent in Song with Miss Heidi and John Burland
Advent in 2 Minutes
Find the Perfect Gift
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Mary is the mother of Jesus.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, glue sticks or tape, large envelopes, a Church Year calendar, and an Advent wreath for the classroom or your lesson cover from 11/27. Remind the children to cut out the flame on page 4 when they get home and put in on the last candle on their Advent wreath poster.
This week, the children will create a stable for the Nativity scene figures they will work on in the following lesson. It is important that you have large envelopes ready with each child’s name to keep their stables in the classroom until next week. If you will not meet next week, make sure you send the envelopes home.*
If you have a large group, we suggest you ask a couple of parents or volunteers to join you for this session. You will need their help for the “Are You Ready?” game and during the cutting/pasting/assembling activities.
*Note: If you will not meet for Sundays 12/25 and 1/1, consider sending the Parent Teaching Pages; the Seeds student lesson for Christmas & Mary, Mother of God; and the large envelopes with the children’s stables for them to complete over Christmas break with their families.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Promise
Lesson Theme: We are ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
For this lesson, you will need to gather and prepare an Advent wreath, the Advent calendar from Promise 11/27, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), copies of the Prayer to My Guardian Angel (one per child), meanings of the children’s names, a Church Year calendar, crayons, pencils, and notes for parents about sending in a shoebox lid for the next class session. Note that the parent notes and shoebox lids are only needed if you will be covering the Christmas & Mary, Mother of God lesson in class.*
The Sunday Gospel is the story of an angel appearing to Joseph in a dream. Since the Sunday Gospels this Advent don’t include the story of the Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:26–38), we have added it to help lead up to the story of Jesus’ birth.
*If your parish program or school will not meet for Sundays 12/25 and 1/1, you may wish to send the next lesson (Christmas & Mary, Mother of God) and copies of the Parent Teaching Pages home for the children to complete with their families over the Christmas break.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Good News
Lesson Theme: We prepare for Jesus.
For this lesson, you will need to gather crayons, pencils, drawing paper, a Bible, drawing paper with the Hail Mary prayer in the center, a Church Year calendar, an Advent wreath, and scissors. You may wish to plan for an aide or aides to assist with the centerpiece activity. Assemble one centerpiece in advance.
The Sunday Gospel is about the angel’s Annunciation to Joseph. Note that the Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:26–38) is part of this lesson in the What the Church Believes and Teaches section on page TG2-27.
If your parish program or school will not meet for Sundays 12/25 and 1/1, you may wish to send the next lesson (Christmas & Mary, Mother of God) and copies of the Parent Teaching Pages home for the children to complete with their families over the Christmas break.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Venture
Lesson Theme: God is with us.
This Sunday’s Gospel is the Annunciation to Joseph. It is a message of joyful obedience to God’s will. Joseph says yes to God’s plan as shared by his messenger. Ask the children how they say yes to God. (Encourage them to share some of their Advent calendar activities as a way to respond to this question.) Joseph’s actions are selfless.
Connect this Gospel with “The Christmas Bus Ride,” which will be very relatable to the children. Ask: Could they put themselves in Darcy’s place, sacrificing a very special item for someone else? If time permits, invite the children to share family traditions. Ask which are most special to them.
If your parish program or school will not meet for Sundays 12/25 and 1/1, you may wish to send the next lesson (Christmas & Mary, Mother of God) and copies of the Parent Teaching Pages home for the children to complete with their families over the Christmas break.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bishop Barron: How Can Jesus Be Both God and Human?
God’s Story: Prophets
Saint Joseph
Visions
Lesson Theme: God is with us.
This Sunday’s lesson begins with a recitation of the martyrology for Christmas night. Explain what the martyrology is (it’s explained on the lesson cover) and complete the activities. Prepare simple props to stage the play; they help keep everyone engaged in the storytelling. Consider the presentation of Las Posadas as well as you are gathering costume items. Joseph learns about Jesus in a dream; your students will enjoy the dream activity related to this Sunday’s Gospel of the Annunciation to Joseph.
This lesson concludes with a final Advent prayer service. With all the candles lit, pause and enjoy a moment of peace, quiet, and Christmas joy. Note: If you will not meet again before Epiphany, you may wish to send home next week’s lesson with the young people.
If your parish program or school will not meet for Sundays 12/25 and 1/1, you may wish to send the next lesson (Christmas & Mary, Mother of God) and copies of the Parent Teaching Pages home for the children to complete with their families over the Christmas break.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ from the Roman Martyrology (Christmas Proclamation)
Las Posadas: A Christmas Tradition
Feliz Navidad and Las Posadas
What Is Hanukkah?
Image credit: Marcos/stock.adobe.com
