How Does the Story End?

12.17.2023

Our Catholic friends have a special celebration for Advent. It is called Las Posadas. In Spanish, the words translate into the English words, The Inns. It is a religious festival celebrated in the Catholic churches of Mexico and some parts of the United States. It commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem. There is a procession through town. It is primarily made up of children. A small child, dressed as an angel, leads the procession followed by children dressed as Joseph and Mary. They are followed by other children dressed in robes of silver and gold. They carry candles and hold placards with images of Joseph and Mary on their journey. Adults come at the end playing instruments. The whole group stops at homes along the route where they are refused lodging. Before departing to the next home there are treats handed out, a bible verse is read, and carols are sung. Then they move on to the next home and the whole thing is played out again. They are turned away again and again…there is no room at the inn.

It occurs to me that this should be tragic or sad. Joseph and Mary have traveled a great distance. Mary is pregnant. They can find no place to stop and rest. But it seems more like a party. In fact, at the end, there is a party with pinatas containing candies, toys, and gold stars to remind them of the gifts the Three Wise Men provided. Everyone in this festival knows this story ends with a celebration.

I suspect the festival's purpose is to teach children the story of the birth of Christ. I can’t think of a better way to drive home the point. Acting things out is always an effective teaching technique. 

However, there is another lesson to remember here. Every day we travel along the same kind of road Joseph and Mary faced. Sometimes we travel with a purpose; we are required to respond to some edict or direction. Sometimes things work out well. Other times life serves up disappointments along the way. Opportunities are lost. Others turn us away. Things don’t happen in the way we planned. There is sadness, anger, despair, or frustration along the way. 

But, those children know How the Story Ends…with the birth of Christ and redemption for all of mankind; so, for them, it is a festival. 

It is well to remember that we also know How the Story Ends. There will be a party at the end; and, along the way as we face personal challenges and closed doors, there is a verse to read or a song to sing making life a festival daily. 

If you’re breathing…this is for you.