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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:
• Holy Heroes
• The Plan for Jesus’ Birth
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph
• Love: 4th Sunday of Advent
• Sunday Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Advent Videos
• A Journey Through Advent in Song with Miss Heidi and John Burland
• Liturgical Calendar: Saints & Seasons with Shannon
• The Liturgical Year | Catholic Central
• Advent in 2 Minutes (NEW!)
• What Is an Advent Wreath?
• Find the Perfect Gift
• God’s Story: Prophets
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
Other Resources
• Jubilee 2025
• Pope Leo XIV and the Papacy
• Special Message from Pope Leo to Young People (NCYC | November 21, 2025)
For Catholic Schools
• Albert’s Expeditions Join Albert, a fierce yet friendly Peregrine Falcon, named after Saint Albert the Great (who even gave the Peregrine Falcon its name 800 years ago!) on scientific expeditions all around the globe. From under the soil to the sky full of stars, discover the stunning natural world full of life that God has created. Meant for children ages 5–10 and all families who want to learn more about their beautiful world around them and the Divine Creator who formed it all.
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 11/30. 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 12/25 and 1/4, consider sending the Parent Teaching Pages; the Seeds student lesson for Christmas & Epiphany; and the large envelopes with the children’s stables for them to complete over Christmas break with their families.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
• What’s What in the Church: Advent Wreath
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 11/30, 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 & Epiphany 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 12/25 and 1/4, you may wish to send the next lesson (Christmas & Epiphany) 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
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
• What’s What in the Church: Advent Wreath
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 12/25 and 1/4, you may wish to send the next lesson (Christmas & Epiphany) 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
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What’s What in the Church: Advent Wreath
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus is God-with-us.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, coloring tools, Bibles (one per child), drawing paper, a Liturgical Year calendar, an Advent wreath, and Advent calendars from 11/30.
This Sunday’s Gospel is the Annunciation to Joseph. It is a message of joyful obedience to God’s will. Joseph said 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.) Note that Joseph’s actions are selfless.
Connect this Gospel with “The Christmas Bus Ride” (pages 2–3), which will be very relatable to the children. Ask: Could you 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.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
• Bishop Barron: How Can Jesus Be Both God and Human?
• God’s Story: Prophets
• Saint Joseph
Visions
Lesson Theme: We listen to God’s plan.
For this lesson, you will need pens or pencils, coloring tools, Bibles (one per student), and an Advent wreath.
This Sunday’s lesson begins with a recitation of the Roman Martyrology that may be chanted or recited before the start of Mass on Christmas Eve. 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 learned 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.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ from the Roman Martyrology (Christmas Proclamation)
• Las Posadas: A Christmas Tradition
• What Is Hanukkah?
Image credit: Marcos/stock.adobe.com
