The end of the year for the Hispanic Community is full of lights, color and Latin American flavor. The first lights begin to illuminate the scenario of the Latin Community in the opening days of the month of December when the curtains up to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Latin American people, and especially, the Mexican, could sometimes, be cold and even religiously indifferent. Many do not attend Sunday Mass. But "the feast of the “Guadalupana", is quite another thing. On December 12, those who during the year ignore religion will be fervent and enthusiastic participants. Even the Mexican restaurants of the town add flavor to the fiesta offering typical dishes and the folkloric groups make Gallic of their best dances in honor to the “Virgencita of Guadalupe”.
The retelling drama of the appearance of the Virgin the Guadalupe to the “Indiecito Juan Diego” is one of the stellar moments of the fiesta. The characters of that unforgettable moment of the Latin American History with the incredulous Bishop, come to life in the scene. Despite the fact that every year the script is the same, the simple and charming story always bring tears to the eyes. This proves that these appearances that took place on that distant December 12 1531 at the hill of the Tepeyac, in the Mexico City, was truly a gift of God for the America.
The “guadalupanas celebrations” joyfully prepare the way for the Christmas feasts, which will commence few days later. These celebrations begin nine days before the Savior's Birth with the “inns” (posadas) when every night in different homes in the community is reenacted the arrival of Mary and Joseph at Bethlehem requesting "inn" (posada). The "liturgy" of the posada is always the same. A group of people, with Mary and Joseph at the door of the house, ask for refuge with a traditional song, and another group from the inside, refuse them entry “because they can be some "ruffians"! The dialogue continues to the rhythm of guitar and song until finally the doors of the house are opened and all enter singing ", pilgrims enter pilgrims”. Once inside, everybody continues singing the traditional Christmas songs, Afterwards, there is a social when the hosts of the house offer a dinner and drinks to all "the pilgrims.” With that dinner, the weary pilgrims are refreshed.
The “posada” liturgy is an excellent way to prepare for Christmas because it creates an atmosphere of devotion, solidarity and Christian happiness.
On the Christmas Night, the last inn take place, at the door of the Church, and everyone enters into to celebrate the "Midnight Mass". In that moment, there is a single feeling in the hearts of the whole community: "Welcome, Oh Jesus, welcome to our world, to our community, to our home, to our problems...” themes taken up in the Homily. With the conclusion of Mass ends, there follows adoration to the Child Jesus, accompanied by dancers followed by all the faithful in procession to venerate the Child Jesus with a kiss.
The celebration, however, does not end here. It continues in the houses where families and friends get together “to rock the baby Jesus and to coo him.” All present take turns rocking the little child whose statue is in a blanket, until... "He falls asleep." At this moment, he is placed in a basket adorned with chocolates which passes by through all the assistants. Each one gives a kiss to the Child Jesus and takes a chocolate and finally, the Mom and Dad of the house place Him in the manger. In this moment everybody without making any noise, “not to wake up the little child" pass to the dinning room to have the Holy Night Dinner and the gifts.
Beautiful customs of popular piety help us live in a very simple way one of the most profound mysteries of the love of a God for man: the incarnation of His Son, who was sent to save the world, and of the Virgin Mary who gave birth to a son, God with us.
Cordially
P. Javier San Martin S.J.
jsanmartin@shc.edu
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