There was no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph on that first Christmas, but Mariners will have plenty of room for the Coastside community at a traditional Posada celebration from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the church and nearby neighborhoods.
You, your family and friends are invited!
A Posada is a Latin American tradition that uses song and celebration to re-create the journey of Mary and Joseph on Christmas Eve as they searched for a safe and warm place for Jesus to be born. Families from local churches and the community walk from house to house singing a responsive Posada song in a candlelight procession until “Mary” and “Joseph” are welcomed into a home. A fiesta follows.
The Mariners event, The Miracle of Jesus, will begin at the church and the band of “pilgrims” will light their way with flashlights as they travel to pre-arranged houses in the Cypress Cove neighborhood and sing the Posada song until they find a welcoming home. The group will then return to Mariners for food, fun and fellowship.
“This is a chance for each of us to invite our friends to kick off the Christmas season with a remembrance of the reason for the season. It’s not about trees. It’s not about presents. It’s about Jesus,” said Kaitlin Gehret, our Director of Children’s Ministries. “the goal is to spread the news of Jesus in a fun way and encourage our friends to pay us a visit in hopes they will become involved with Mariners throughout the year.”
The Worship Center will house a re-creation of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, with themed games and activities for children available in various shops. Children can catch a fish to decorate at the pier, make a plaything from clay in the toy shop, grind frankincense at the spice shop and bring home a sample, play games with wool at the wool shop, and be counted at the census office. A stable will be set up at a quiet location where children can hear the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus.
Upstairs, a light meal will be served, including tamales, Mexican hot chocolate, cookies and other goodies.
Everyone is encouraged to find room in their schedule and in their hearts to join in a fun and meaningful prelude to Christmas and invite a friend.
By Dan Page, Volunteer Storyteller
