Page 19 - Dec 2022

Chip and Barb Hanback were the hosts of the
November club dinner, although they weren't able
to attend. Barb recently took took a tumble that
required surgery on her shoulder as well as repair
to her broken arm. She is now in the recovery
phase from her injury.
The Hanbacks would have been pleased, however,
by the great turnout that packed the back room of
Mazatlan. Our group enjoyed both good food and
good conversation. ( Thumbs up, too, for the
bartender who knows his way around a margarita
and a pina colada and for the servers who zipped
around with brimming, very hot, plates. )
If you enjoyed an authentic tamale with your meal,
you had an early preview of just one of the foods
that are featured during traditional holiday
celebrations not only in the Mexican-American
community but in Latin American countries around
the world.
Because of a Spanish colonial background many of
these countries celebrate, in addition to Christmas
Day, Los Posadas, and the Feast of Three Kings,
meaning that family celebrations run from
December 16th all the way through January 6th.
The tradition of Luminaria, a loan word from
Spanish that entered English in New Mexico, are
used to light the path of those on the Los
Posadas journey. The idea was adopted from the
Spanish by pueblos in Latin American countries.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, is filled with their gentle
light each December, as is the historic pueblo of
Los Angeles in California. Originally the term
meant a small vigil fire. The tradition of lighting
luminaria in the Rio Grande Valley can be traced
back to 1590 and men working for Gaspar
Castano de Sosa. Today, small paper sacks, each
filled with sand and a lit candle, or a more
modern and safer LED light, mark the path
leading to a traditional Posadas gathering.
Los Posadas (t he passage)
December 16-December 24
Originating from Spain, posadas have been practiced
in Mexico for over 400 years. The nine evening fiesta
known as Los Posadas commemorates Mary and
Joseph's nine day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem
and marks their search for shelter when the town was
filled with travelers from all over Judea arriving for a
taxation head count decreed by Rome.
A community celebration, rich in Catholic tradition, each
evening of Los Posadas takes place in a different home,
each night. It has both a religious and a merry making
aspect.
Sometimes there will be individuals dressed as Mary
and Joseph who lead the way to the home selected for
the evening, while a special carol , La Canción Para Pedir
Posada, is sung by the marchers. Other processions
feature images of the holy family carried by marchers
who are then joined by others in a procession. that
follows behind.
Upon arriving at the home, on each of the nine nights, a
different quality will be meditated upon-- humility,
strength, detachment, charity, trust, justice, purity, joy,
and generosity.
Then comes the fun. Colorful pinatas in the shape of the
Christmas star are hit with sticks by blindfolded
children until they break, spilling out small toys and
candies, resulting in a mad scramble. There's music and
traditional foods are served. At the end of the evening,
the hosts present the guest with aguinaldos, small bags
filled with treats and candies, a present to help them
continue their journey.
The festival of Three Kings begins on January 5th, the
night of the kings , and ends on January 6th, Epiphany,
with the gifts children receive from the Three Wise Men,
remembering the gifts the Magi brought to the Christ
Child, the King of the Jews. This event concludes the 12
days of Christmas within the Hispanic culture..
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