Posada 2024 Launched at Stanford
This year’s Advent Posada had a festive launch at the Darkness into Light Service at Saint Mary’s Church, Stanford, which marked the start of Advent in the Teme Valley South Parishes.
During the Posada, the Holy Family, in knitted form, will represent the original Christmas journey to Bethlehem by visiting homes and events in our parishes during Advent. This is the second year for our Posada in Teme Valley South, building on a tradition that started in Mexico - posada is the Spanish word for an inn or lodging place.
Our 'Woolie Worthies' come in their very own traveling 'stable' but also enjoy being part of the host’s family for the evening. They have a 'passport' with them where hosts can share a Christmas message with the wider parish and perhaps note what their Posada guests have been up to, as well as share a photo or two of our little festival as we aim to make an online album of their adventures.
Christmas is a religious holiday, but it is also a time of year when most of us like to get together, welcome family and friends into our homes and enjoy the festivities. However, amongst all the joy it is also important to remember that some people do not have anywhere to go at Christmas – much like Mary and Joseph on their arrival at Bethlehem. The Posada offers an opportunity to pause for reflection on those less fortunate, as we invite donations in support of Maggs Day Centre, a local charity working with homeless people in Worcestershire.
The Posada will finish at the Midnight Mass at Rochford church on 24th December.