Southeast Texas Christmas Tradition
Las Posadas
Las Posadas is part of the Christmas celebration in the Spanish speaking countries Mexico, Guatemala and parts of the Southwestern United States.
As the population of Southeast Texas continues to evolve, it is likely you’ll hear about Las Posadas more and more.The traditions are fun and education and could be enjoyable to implement with your neighbors or friends from your Southeast Texas church.
Las Posadas is a nine-day reenactment of the biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Family, friends, church members, and neighbors dress up in period costumes symbolizing Mary, Joseph, the Devil, and inn keepers.
The nine days of Los Posadas represent the nine months Mary carried the baby Jesus and posada means ‘lodging” in Spanish.
Each evening from December 16th through Christmas Eve the group gathers at a home of a different “inn keeper” as Mary and Joseph search for posada (lodging).
True to the Biblical account, Mary and Joseph are denied hospitality until the end of the singing when all the guests are then invited to share hot chocolate and cookies.
This is repeated seven more consecutive nights, then on Christmas Eve when Joseph begins singing to ask for posada he is received and the crowd rejoices.
The nativity is honored and prayers are said at a Holy Midnight Mass.
Afterwards, a traditional Christmas dinner of tamales is shared, and children enjoy busting star shaped piñatas as another year comes to a close.
SETXChurchGuide.com Editor’s Note: Las Posadas can be a great way to add something new and different to your family’s Southeast Texas Christmas tradition. Gather a few friends, brew up a big pot of home made hot chocolate, and re-enact the most important story of all. Does your family or your Southeast Texas church incorporate Las Posadas into your Christmas tradition? We’d love to hear about it. E-mail the information to setxchurchguide@gmail.com
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Las Posadas Recipes
Mexican Christmas Cookies:
- 1 large egg, separated
- 2 cups lard
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 and ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 dash of salt
- ¾ cups of sugar
Coating for Mexican Christmas Cookies:
- 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Optional: powdered sugar
To make cookies:
- Place egg white in a small bowl. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large bowl, beat lard until creamy. In another bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together. Gradually beat into the lar.
- Beat egg white on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently whisk in sugar and egg yolk. Gradually beat into the lard mixture. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently 8-10 times.
- Divide dough into six portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 24-inch long rope. Cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for 2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Roll warm cookies in cinnamon sugar mixture or confectioner’s sugar. Cool on wire racks.
Enjoy with your Las Posadas Mexican Hot Chocolate – and your friends and family!
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
6 twelve ounce cans of evaporated milk
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 twelve-ounce bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Serve with a dusting of cocoa powder for flair
Stovetop directions:
In a large pot over medium heat whisk together milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Add chocolate chips. Stir until chocolate is melted. Cover and reduce heat to low for five minutes.
Crock Pot / Slow Cooker Instructions:
In a four-quart slow cooker, whisk together milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Add chocolate chips. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 2-3 hours. Stir ever 15-20 minutes.
