ANAHEIM : Yule Observance to Focus on Gangs
In Mexico, neighbors celebrate Christmas by participating in las posadas, a door-to-door journey depicting the travels of Joseph and Mary as they searched for shelter in the hours before Jesus’ birth.
Today in Anaheim, an interdenominational church group will use the posadas tradition to depict the problems of crimes and gangs that they say are infecting the city’s streets.
Beginning at 7 p.m., 500 sojourners from the Orange County Congregation Community Organization will travel throughout Pearson Park, stopping at facades depicting Anaheim City Hall, houses, churches and the Police Department.
“And as happened with Joseph and Mary, they will be turned away,” said Chuck Carey, an Anaheim resident and an organizer of the event. He is a member of the Orange United Methodist Church. “But instead of being told there is no shelter, they will be told they can’t be helped in their fight against gangs and drugs.”
Carey said members from the city’s Roman Catholic, Mormon, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and other churches will attend.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
