Countywide : Las Posadas Ritual Unites a Community

Shrieks of joy and laughter resounded along an Oxnard street this week as dozens of eager children swarmed over lollipops, caramels and peanuts from a burst pinata.

Residents along North Harrison Avenue in Oxnard’s La Colonia neighborhood were celebrating Las Posadas, literally “the inns,” a nine-day Mexican Christmas ceremony re-enacting Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. Part of a traditional Christmas in Mexico, the religious observances are helping unite Latinos of all generations here, organizers said.

“Las Posadas is a family tradition that offers something for everybody,” said Marta Mata, who began organizing the event two years ago with her husband, Hector. Three years ago, the couple founded El Grupo Folclorico Mixteca, a dance troupe for children ages 2 to 14.

During Las Posadas, dance troupe members dress as Biblical figures and walk for two blocks, stopping at homes and pleading for refuge before finding lodgings, where they celebrate with a rosary, dinner and pinata.

Unlike the elaborate tradition in Mexico, where an entire neighborhood provides dinner, one family is responsible for cooking, Mata said. But that hasn’t discouraged potential hosts. Mata is signing up host families for next year.

Eleven-year-old Melina Chavez still remembers the vibrant observances she witnessed in Mexico last Christmas.

“It was pretty neat,” said the slender sixth-grader from Rose Avenue Elementary School. “The whole city participated, and Mary rode on a donkey.”

As children divvied up their treats and adults exchanged the latest gossip, everyone sipped champurado, a hot beverage containing chocolate, milk, corn and water. Holiday revelers also dined on pozole, a soup made with hominy, pork, cabbage and radishes.

Guests did not leave empty-handed. They got packages of oranges, peanuts, candies and cookies, called aginaldos.

“This isn’t Mexico,” Mata said, “but we can still be a binding community.”

Las Posadas Celebrations Las Posadas will take place throughout Ventura County. Several are listed below: City Oxnard Dates Tonight Location 300 block of Felicia Court, 7 p.m. City Oxnard Dates Dec. 16-24 Location Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 500 N. Juanita Ave., 7 p.m. City Santa Paula Dates Dec. 15-23 Location Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 475 N. Oak St., 6 p.m. City Ventura Dates Dec. 20 Location Olivas Adobe Historical Park, 4200 Olivas Park Drive, 7 p.m. City Piru Dates Dec. 16-24 Location San Salvador Parish Hall, 4045 E. Center St., 6 p.m. City Fillmore Dates Dec. 16-24 Location St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1058 Ventura St., 6 p.m. City Rancho Sespe Dates Dec. 16-24 Location 2950 E. Telegraph Road, 6:30 p.m.