Fifth Day of Las Posadas

What Is Fifth Day of Las Posadas?

The Fifth Day of Las Posadas is an integral part of the broader Las Posadas tradition, a nine-day annual observance predominantly in Mexico and among Mexican communities globally. Occurring on 20th December, it signifies the continuation of a symbolic journey. This observance re-enacts the arduous search for lodging by Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.

Each day, including the fifth, builds upon the narrative, fostering community engagement and religious reflection leading up to Christmas Eve. Las Posadas combines elements of religious devotion with cultural festivities, making it a significant part of the Christmas season in Mexican culture.

History and Origins of Fifth Day of Las Posadas

The Las Posadas tradition originated in colonial Mexico during the 16th century. Spanish Augustinian friars are credited with introducing and popularising the celebration as a means to evangelise the indigenous population. They ingeniously blended Catholic doctrine with pre-Hispanic winter solstice festivities that already existed.

The nine days of Las Posadas symbolise the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy or the nine-day journey to Bethlehem. Each day, including the Fifth Day, represents a stage in this pilgrimage. Over centuries, the observance evolved from church-centric rituals to a community-led tradition, deeply ingrained in Mexican heritage.

How Fifth Day of Las Posadas Is Celebrated

The observance of the Fifth Day of Las Posadas mirrors the activities of the other days within the nine-day novena. Communities organise processions, often led by individuals portraying Mary and Joseph, or carrying images of the holy family. Participants, known as ‘peregrinos’ (pilgrims), walk from house to house carrying candles and singing traditional carols known as villancicos.

At each designated house, the pilgrims sing a petition asking for lodging, while those inside sing a refusal. This re-enactment symbolises the biblical narrative of Mary and Joseph being turned away. Eventually, the procession reaches a pre-arranged home, where the ‘pilgrims’ are finally granted entry, signifying the end of the search for the evening.

Following the re-enactment, a celebratory gathering, often referred to as a ‘posada party’, takes place. These celebrations include prayers, singing of Christmas carols, and sharing traditional Mexican food and drinks such as ponche (a hot fruit punch), tamales, and buñuelos. A central element of many posada parties is the breaking of piñatas, traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star to represent the seven deadly sins. The breaking of the piñata symbolises faith conquering temptation, with sweets and fruits spilling out as blessings.

When Is Fifth Day of Las Posadas?

The Fifth Day of Las Posadas is a fixed date within the Gregorian calendar, occurring annually on 20th December. Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration that commences on 16th December and concludes on Christmas Eve, 24th December. Consequently, each day of the observance falls on a specific, unvarying date each year.

This consistent timing allows communities to plan their daily re-enactments and celebrations systematically. While widely observed in Mexico, this tradition also extends to Mexican communities in other countries, particularly the United States, where the dates remain constant.

Fifth Day of Las Posadas Key Facts