‘Las Posadas’ enactments begin this week in Taos
The journey to find shelter for Joseph and Mary on the night Jesus Christ would be born is an annual enactment performed by members of the Catholic Church in the Taos area. It is called “Las Posadas” (“lodging” in Spanish) and it takes place nine evenings before Christmas.
The posadistas go around knocking on doors and asking for a place to stay, but they are rejected at first with not very nice words: “Aquí no es mesón, sigan adelante. Yo no debo abrir, no sea algún tunante.” (”This is not an inn, so you must keep going. I cannot open; you may be a rogue.”)
This is repeated until they arrive at “la posada,” the house that opens to offer them shelter and food. The innkeeper, or posadero, sings, “¿Eres tú, José? ¿Tu esposa es María? Entren, peregrinos, no los conocía.” (”Are you Joseph? Is your wife Mary? Come in, pilgrims; I didn’t recognize you.”)
Afterwards, they all come inside and share a feast of posole, beans, enchiladas, biscochitos, hot chocolate and more.
The last posada, Dec. 24, concludes with the Midnight Mass.
Consult the church’s bulletin board or call (575) 751-0518 for more information. San Francisco de Asís Church is located at 60 St. Francis Plaza in Ranchos de Taos.
Schedule
• Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m., San Francisco de Asís Church, Ranchos de Taos. Sponsored by Las Guadalupanas. Meal to be served in the Deacon Pat Delozier Parish Hall.
• Dec. 17, 5 p.m., San Ysidro Capilla in Los Cordovas. Sponsored by Mayordomos. Reception at the home of Feloniz Trujillo.
• Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m. Mass at San Francisco de Asís Church, Ranchos de Taos Plaza. Sponsored by Confirmation students 1 and 2. Meal at Ranchos Plaza Grill, Ranchos de Taos Plaza.
• Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m., San Francisco de Asís Church, Ranchos de Taos Plaza. Sponsored by Llano Quemado mayordomos. Meal at Deacon Pat Delozier Parish Hall.
• Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m., Nuestra Señora San Juan de los Lagos Capilla, Talpa. Sponsored by Mayordomos. Meal at Deacon Pat Delozier Parish Hall.
• Dec. 21, 5:30 p.m., San Francisco de Asís Church, Ranchos de Taos. Sponsored by Ranchos Mayordomos. Meal to be served in the Deacon Pat Delozier Parish Hall.
• Dec. 22, 5:30 p.m., San Francisco de Asís Church, Ranchos de Taos. Sponsored by Las Guadalupanas. Meal to be served in the Deacon Pat Delozier Parish Hall.
• Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m., San Francisco de Asís Church, Ranchos de Taos. Sponsored by Las Guadalupanas. Meal to be served in the Deacon Pat Delozier Parish Hall.
• Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, 11:30 p.m., followed by Midnight Mass, San Francisco de Asís Church, Ranchos de Taos.
