Posada Journey Blog 2022 – Muswell Hill Methodist Church

What is Posada?

Posada (meaning “home” or “lodging”) is an old Mexican tradition where young people dressed as Mary & Joseph from house to house asking for a room for the night and telling people about the imminent arrival of Jesus in the weeks leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve they would visit the local church to re-enact the nativity and place figures in a crib.

Modern-day Posada uses nativity figures of Mary and Joseph who travel from place to place. This gives each ‘host’ the chance to create their own celebration in their home or place in the community, worshipping and reaching out to their communities with the real message of Christmas, making room for Jesus in their lives.

Below are blog entries for our Posada characters’ journey this Christmastime…

Posada 21-Dec-22

Mary & Joseph have just arrived at my home bringing with them the greatest gift of all – Jesus. I will look after them before they continue their journey tomorrow. Happy Christmas. Marion

Posada 18-Dec-22

Maria and Leya passed Mary and Joseph on to Sarayah after the Pop-up Nativity, where they were all angels. They said the prayers together as they handed them over. Sarayah took them back to spend the rest of the day and stay over at her Nanny’s house (Hyacinth). They had a very busy time, learning some new games!

Posada 17-Dec-22 part2

Mary and Joseph have visited Arslanian family house. We have revised the real Christmas meaning and truly enjoyed having them visit us. Maria and Leya have baked cookies and Mary and Joseph was by their side. Once cookies were done Maria suggested to bring them onto church and share with our church family. Leya was fascinated by Mary’s pregnant tummy and said: ‘Baby will come in a second’. We thank God for this opportunity and wish Mary and Joseph a peaceful and safe rest of their trip. God bless. Leya, Maria, Amber and Ilias.

Posada 17-Dec-22

Mary and Joseph went to stay with Mariia and Iurii, who live in the flats exactly where the old Methodist Church used to be. They met baby Anna, and saw a huge pink inflatable number 1, ready for Anna’s first birthday on 18^th. They also looked at some pictures on the walls, with people who looked rather like them! These had been family gifts from Ukraine. But the best was a new Ukrainian friend who kept them company up on the table where they could watch baby Anna playing down on the floor. (She loves to be in her buggy in the gardens at church, but it’s too cold at the moment!)

Posada 16-Dec-22

Mary and Joseph were hosted by Jackie and enjoyed sharing a cup of tea, making friends with the cat, looking at the Winter Wonderland and playing playing Mexican Trains.

Posada 15-Dec-22

Mary & Joseph helped out at the very busy foodbank, the Food Bank Aid hub.

Posada 14-Dec-22

Mary and Joseph arrived safely at Shrewsbury Road late at night after journeying from Palmerston road in the car. It was very cold and icy, but they soon warmed up indoors where they settled down with Percy the cat looking on. They were all still there in the morning (though Percy did have a break from sleeping to have his breakfast!). The holy couple then continued their journey to church where they joined in our under 4s Christmas celebration. They helped with the sign-in and played with some of the children.

Posada 13-Dec-22

Rev Matt very kindly brought Mary and Joseph to our home through the ice and snow. They were glad to be cosy and warm, and spent the day watching us get everything ready for our Housegroup Christmas celebration. Along with Farhad, Siavash and Soheila from Iran, Mary and Joseph were our special guests, sharing in carols, prayers and readings in English and Farsi by the Christmas tree. They were then amazed by how much delicious food had been brought and shared by 17 people around the table, and smiled at how several guests were still wearing their Christmas cracker crowns as they left! We shared a prayer as Catherine gave Mary and Joseph to Ruth for the next stage of their journey. What a pleasure and privilege it had been to have them with us.

Posada 12-Dec-22

Winter wonder!

Posada 11-Dec-22

Wave Church had a pleasure hosting Mary & Joseph.

Posada 10-Dec-22 part2

Mary and Joseph helped to make mince pies with Liz in Enfield, before chilling for the evening after a fun day of fellowship at Manse Pies.

Posada 10-Dec-22

Mary & Joseph enjoyed talking to Revd Julius at Manse Pies.

Posada 9-Dec-22

Mary & Joseph had a great day with Helen’s mum & dad visiting family, they visited a garden centre, enjoyed a yummy afternoon tea, made friends with Santa, watched football, and helped bake. Mary had too much to eat. Mary & Joseph stayed to help set up for Manse Pies.

Posada 8-Dec-22

Mary & Joseph enjoyed visiting Soheila and some angels.

Posada 7-Dec-22

Mary and Joseph shared in Hossein’s Birthday Party celebration with friends Farhad, Siavash and Javad.

Posada 6-Dec-22

Mary and Joseph joined Megan & Robert to watch the last day of matches for the last sixteen…

Posada 5-Dec-22

Mary & Joseph had a lovely time at the New River Methodist Circuit meeting.

Posada 3-Dec-22

After recovering from meeting an entire pre-school and Father Christmas, Mary and Joseph helped Sue and Paul to decorate their tree.

Posada 2-Dec-22

The children were very excited that Mary and Joseph were coming for a visit. They wanted to make a stable for them to sleep in. When they arrived the children put them in place, moved the animals around and sang them Christmas songs including Away in a Manger. Mary & Joseph enjoyed meeting Father Christmas and tasting cupcakes at our Christmas Fair.