Las Posadas - Search for Safety

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Las Posadas
Las Posadas
by Javier Tarango-Sho
by Javier Tarango-Sho
Luke 2:1-7
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days Caesar
1 In those days Caesar
Augustus issued a decree that
Augustus issued a decree that
a census should be taken of
a census should be taken of
the entire Roman world. 2
the entire Roman world. 2
(This was the first census that
(This was the first census that
took place while Quirinius
took place while Quirinius
was governor of Syria.) 3 And
was governor of Syria.) 3 And
everyone went to their own
everyone went to their own
town to register. 4 So Joseph
town to register. 4 So Joseph
also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to
to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to
the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register
the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register
with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and
with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and
was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time
was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time
came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her
came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him
in a manger, because there was no guest room available for
in a manger, because there was no guest room available for
them.
them.
The Bible and the Las Posadas tradition teach us
The Bible and the Las Posadas tradition teach us
that Joseph and Mary searched for shelter while in
that Joseph and Mary searched for shelter while in
Bethlehem, but because of the many people traveling
Bethlehem, but because of the many people traveling
because of the census, there was no room. As a result,
because of the census, there was no room. As a result,
the Son of God, the savior of the world, was born not
the Son of God, the savior of the world, was born not
among the wealthy and resourced, but among farm
among the wealthy and resourced, but among farm
animals.
animals.
Like Joseph and Mary's difficulties in finding shelter,
Like Joseph and Mary's difficulties in finding shelter,
Latinos who have come to college often find
Latinos who have come to college often find
themselves struggling to find a home, a place where
themselves struggling to find a home, a place where
we feel welcomed and cared for. But like God was
we feel welcomed and cared for. But like God was
faithful to provide place of shelter for Joseph, Mary
faithful to provide place of shelter for Joseph, Mary
and the birth of Jesus, he is and will be faithful to
and the birth of Jesus, he is and will be faithful to
provide for us a home while at college.
provide for us a home while at college.
Spend a few moments of silent reflection around
Spend a few moments of silent reflection around
the places of home God has provided for you this
the places of home God has provided for you this
semester.
semester.
Where have been the places where you have felt
Where have been the places where you have felt
welcomed, cared for and safe to express yourself?
welcomed, cared for and safe to express yourself?
These don't only need to be physical places, but can
These don't only need to be physical places, but can
be events you have participated in, relationships that
be events you have participated in, relationships that
you have fostered, interactions you have had. Spend
you have fostered, interactions you have had. Spend
some time in thanksgiving to God for these places.
some time in thanksgiving to God for these places.
Undoubtedly we have also experienced circumstances
Undoubtedly we have also experienced circumstances
that have been difficult in which we have not
that have been difficult in which we have not
experienced a sense of welcome or care. What have
experienced a sense of welcome or care. What have
been those situations been like? How can we ask
been those situations been like? How can we ask
God to enter into those situations, to bring change
God to enter into those situations, to bring change
to the situation, to bring to us a new perspective on
to the situation, to bring to us a new perspective on
that situation, or both? As God was faithful to enter
that situation, or both? As God was faithful to enter
into humanity in Jesus, he is faithful to enter into the
into humanity in Jesus, he is faithful to enter into the
difficult circumstances of our lives.
difficult circumstances of our lives.

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