Ninth Day of Las Posadas

What Is Ninth Day of Las Posadas?

The Ninth Day of Las Posadas signifies the concluding observance of the Las Posadas novena, a nine-day traditional event primarily observed in Mexico. This day, occurring on 24th December, directly precedes Christmas Day and is deeply intertwined with Christmas Eve celebrations. It commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their search for an inn (posada) before the birth of Jesus.

This final day holds particular importance as it depicts the successful culmination of their arduous journey, leading to the Nativity. The term “Posadas” translates from Spanish as “lodgings” or “inns”, referring to the shelters sought by the biblical figures. It serves as a communal and familial observance, reinforcing cultural and religious narratives through reenactment and festivity.

The Ninth Day of Las Posadas marks the transition from a period of anticipation and pilgrimage to one of jubilant celebration for the impending birth of Christ. It integrates ancient customs with Christian liturgy, providing a distinctive cultural fabric to the Christmas season in Mexico and various other regions influenced by Mexican culture.

History and Origins of Ninth Day of Las Posadas

The origins of Las Posadas can be traced back to the evangelisation efforts in Mexico during the 16th century following the Spanish conquest. Augustinian friars in the region of Acolman are often credited with adapting pre-Hispanic solstice celebrations into Christian traditions. Indigenous populations had previously observed rituals honouring the Aztec sun god Huitzilopochtli during the winter solstice period.

The friars ingeniously merged these existing customs with the narrative of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. They introduced the novena, a nine-day period of prayer and observance, symbolising Mary’s nine-month pregnancy. This initiative aimed to convert indigenous peoples to Catholicism by integrating familiar festive structures with Christian theological concepts.

Over centuries, Las Posadas evolved from church-centric observances to communal and household celebrations. The tradition incorporated elements such as specific litanies, carols (villancicos), and the breaking of piñatas. By the 19th century, Las Posadas, including its Ninth Day culmination, had become a firmly established and cherished tradition across Mexico, deeply embedded in the cultural calendar leading up to Christmas.

How Ninth Day of Las Posadas Is Celebrated

The Ninth Day of Las Posadas is celebrated with an increased sense of anticipation and festivity, culminating in the formal acceptance of Mary and Joseph. The core of the celebration remains the procesión, a procession where participants, often children dressed as angels or shepherds, carry figures of Mary and Joseph, usually on a small litter or statues.

Procession and Request for Lodging

The procession typically moves from house to house, singing traditional litanies. These songs involve a call-and-response format, with participants outside requesting posada (lodging) and those inside initially refusing, then eventually granting entry. This musical dialogue reenacts the arduous search for shelter. Upon being “admitted”, the figures of Mary and Joseph are placed near a nativity scene, marking the end of their journey.

Festivities and Communal Gatherings

Once the figures are inside, the atmosphere shifts to a celebratory party. Key elements include the breaking of a piñata, traditionally a seven-pointed star symbolising the seven deadly sins, with the candy inside representing blessings. Children and adults take turns attempting to break the piñata blindfolded. Refreshments are abundant, including traditional Mexican dishes and beverages such as tamales, ponche (a warm fruit punch), buñuelos (fried pastries), and atole (a hot corn-based drink).

Music and Midnight Mass

Traditional villancicos (Christmas carols) are sung throughout the evening. The celebration of the Ninth Day of Las Posadas seamlessly transitions into the observance of Christmas Eve. Many families attend a midnight Mass, known as Misa de Gallo (Rooster’s Mass), a significant liturgical event that officially ushers in Christmas Day and the birth of Jesus. The communal aspects of sharing food, song, and prayer reinforce the familial and religious bonds inherent in the observance.

When Is Ninth Day of Las Posadas?

The Ninth Day of Las Posadas is observed annually on a fixed date: 24th December. This date consistently marks the culmination of the nine-day novena, which commences on 16th December each year. The entire period of Las Posadas leads directly into Christmas Eve, making the ninth day an integral part of the Christmas festivities.

The observance follows the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard civil calendar used in Mexico and most parts of the world. While the specific customs and intensity of celebration may vary regionally, the date of the Ninth Day of Las Posadas remains constant, serving as a clear marker in the festive season.

Ninth Day of Las Posadas Key Facts