December 14: Christmas in Mexico

*The gift for today's activity is a small board or sturdy book.

• Read Luke 2:7.

"...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."

• Give your children the gift for today to unwrap.

• Tell the children that you'll use the board/book to celebrate the Mexican tradition of "Posadas."

The tradition looks a little like this:

In Mexico, from December 16-24, children and adults celebrate by reenacting Joseph and Mary's search for an inn (las posadas). On each night of the festival, children take a board or book with figures of Mary and Joseph carefully perched on them (we use our Mary and Joseph from the nativity set opened earlier in the month). They take Mary and Joseph to a home where someone acts as the innkeeper and others act as Joseph and Mary. The innkeeper goes to a room and closes the door. The children take Joseph and Mary around the house, searching for the inn keeper. When Joseph and Mary find the room of the innkeeper, they knock and beg for a place to stay. The innkeeper refuses until Joseph tells of Mary's pregnancy and the need of a room to birth the coming Messiah. The innkeeper grows excited about playing a part in the birth of the Messiah and rejoices by throwing a party!

• Have your children carry out your family's rendition of this Mexican celebration. A "hide-and-seek" of sorts with a baby Jesus theme:)

• Feel free to conclude your time with a party or mini-celebration.

• Pray with your family. Thank God for giving Jesus a special birth-place. Thank God for His creativity and for the celebrations happening around the world because of Jesus and His birth.