For millions of Latino families living in the United States, December not only means Christmas trees and gifts; it is also a time to keep alive the traditions that connect us to our roots. One of the most endearing is, without a doubt, Las Posadas, a profoundly Mexican celebration that goes beyond the feast: it represents faith, solidarity and community spirit.
In a country where our customs are often diluted, teaching children the meaning of Las Posadas can be a powerful way to preserve our cultural identity. Here are some simple and effective ideas to transmit this tradition to the little ones, even if they have never experienced a posada in Mexico.
Explains the meaning of the posadas with stories and carols
The Posadas represent the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph in search of a place to stay before the birth of Jesus.
For children, this can be explained through illustrated stories, educational videos on YouTube or even dramatizations at home.
It complements with traditional carols such as “Pedir Posada”, which can be sung as a family.
Singing is a powerful tool for the children to remember and understand the spiritual and communal meaning of the celebration.
Organize a posada at home or with neighbors
You don’t need a big production.
With a few candles (they can be electric for safety), a star piñata and homemade punch, you can recreate the essence of a Mexican posada in your living room or backyard.
Involve the children in the preparation, whether it’s helping to hang lanterns, decorating piñatas or preparing bags of candy.
If you have Latino neighbors or friends interested in the culture, you can even organize a small community posada and share with them our customs.
These types of celebrations strengthen the social fabric and help your children feel proud of their roots.
Include posadas in your school learning
Many Latino children in the U.S. attend schools where Anglo traditions dominate holiday activities.
A good way to introduce posadas is to collaborate with teachers or principals to include them in Spanish class or cultural activities.
Proposing crafts, readings or songs related to the celebration can be a way to enrich the learning of all students, and an opportunity for your child to become an ambassador of his or her culture.
Cook with them typical dishes of the season
The inns are also lived with the palate.
Involve your children in the preparation of traditional recipes such as tamales, fritters, champurrado or Christmas punch.
Cooking together not only strengthens the family connection, but also allows them to get to know the flavors of their homeland and understand that celebrating is not just a matter of geography, but of the heart.
Share the tradition on social networks
Buzzy
Today more than ever, sharing our traditions can inspire other families to do the same.
Upload photos of your homemade posadas, videos of the kids singing Christmas carols or family recipes.
Showing how the posadas are lived in the USA not only preserves the tradition: it strengthens it and adapts it to the current context.
To teach children the value of the posadas is to instill in them pride in their roots.
Because even if we live far from Mexico, the lights, the songs, and the faith can continue to be lit every December... from any corner of the world
