x
Breaking News
More () »

Celebrate the holidays with 'Las Posadas,' a Latin tradition that remains alive in Colorado

The Tesoro Cultural Center will present the annual traditional event on Christmas Eve in Morrison.
Credit: El Tesoro Cultural Center

MORRISON, Colo. — During the month of December, Latin American countries celebrate Christmas in different ways. 

In Mexico, las Posadas celebration commemorates Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter on the night of baby Jesus' birth. In Colombia, Día de las Velitas kicks off the Christmas season, Argentineans decorate with a creche or “pesebre,” which is a Nativity scene and 'Las Parrandas de Remedios' transforms a quiet place into one of the oldest fiestas in Cuba.

In Colorado, one organization is keeping the Mexican Posada tradition, or reenactment of part of the Christmas story, alive.

The Tesoro Cultural Center will present the traditional event on Dec. 24 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the The Fort, which is located at 19192 Highway 8 in Morrison, near Red Rocks. 

Attendees will be able to sip Mexican hot chocolate, hot cider and eat traditional biscochitos (spice-dusted cookies) as they enjoy the presentation, and a donkey might make an appearance.

Children are invited to participate in a reenactment of the biblical scene; musicians will play customary las Posadas songs; a seven-pointed piñata will be provided.

The procession will include musicians Rex Rideout, Norman Hughes and Sigifredo Ramos.

The event will be free to attend and will be held outdoors so attendees are encouraged to dress warmly. There will be plenty of parking next to The Fort restaurant. 

"We do get a big crowd," said the director of Tesoro Cultural Center Sue Halpern. "We did not have it in 2020 due to the pandemic, and we expect a big crowd again, especially with the mild temperatures forecast."

According to Remezcla, Posadas are a staple in many Mexican towns. They are celebrated every year in Mexico and throughout the United States for nine days beginning on Dec. 16 and ending on Dec. 24.

The nine nights of posadas are said to represent Mary and Joseph's nine-day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

Throughout the towns across Mexico, each evening during the festival, a small child dressed as an angel leads a procession through the streets of town. The procession is primarily made up of children dressed in silver and gold robes carrying lit candles and images of Mary and Joseph riding a donkey. Adults, including musicians, follow the procession, which visits selected homes and asks for lodging for Joseph and Mary, according to Britannica. 

Also from Mexico, is the Poinsettia, a flower native of Taxco, and known as “Taxco del Alarcon.” 

Below are pictures showing some of the celebrations and traditions that take place in Taxco during Mexico's Holy Week. 

Credit: AP
A girl peers between two men playing Roman soldiers as she watches Holy Week celebrations in Taxco, Mexico, Thursday, April 18, 2019. In traditional processions in Taxco that last from Thursday evening into the early morning hours of Friday, hooded penitents drag chains and shoulder bundles of thorny branches through the streets, while others flog themselves with nail-studded whips meant to bring them closer to God. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Credit: AP
A penitent carries a bundle of thorny branches during a Holy Week procession in Taxco, Mexico, Thursday, April 18, 2019. In traditional processions that last from Thursday evening into the early morning hours of Friday, hooded penitents drag chains and shoulder the thorny bundles through the streets, as some flog themselves with nail-studded whips meant to bring them closer to God. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Credit: AP
A girl dressed as an angel walks in a Holy Week procession in Taxco, Mexico, in the early hours of Friday, April 18, 2014. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A woman carry a candle as she takes part in a procession during Holy Week in Taxco, Mexico, late Thursday, April 1, 2010. Holy Week commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS 

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.   

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n  

HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE 

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. 

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9NEWS" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. 

RELATED: Christkindl Market returns to downtown Denver

RELATED: Día de Los Muertos celebrations across Colorado

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Colorado’s History  

Before You Leave, Check This Out