McGrath Institute Blog

The infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke contain some of the most cherished passages in all of Scripture. These stories have influenced everything from sacred art to modern pop culture, inspiring the imagination of all who read them. What we might not expect, however, is that the infancy narratives are not merely about the baby Jesus. As we prepare our hearts to hear these familiar stories this Christmas, we would do well to remember that the infancy narratives are also about our hope in the crucified and risen Jesus.

The weather fit the day. Banks of low, grey, rippled clouds that foretold the rain and chill to come. Bare branches, their bark exposed, and the dry, brittle leaves that had once shown bright now crunching underfoot. Late November in New England and the feast of Christ the King, 2020.

Take a moment to visualize the Nativity scene that was in your home as a child. Try to see it through your childhood eyes once again. What do you see? Do you remember that sense of wonder as you look at that familiar figurine of baby Jesus in the manger?

La fe católica tiene muchas tradiciones que son hermosas y profundas, llenas de enseñanzas y de evangelización. Yo tuve la suerte de nacer y de crecer en México, y ahí aprendí acerca de mi fe por medio de estas tradiciones. Por ejemplo, las posadas son una celebración que tienen mucho que enseñarnos acerca de la fe católica. Las celebraciones duran nueve días, comenzando el 16 de diciembre hasta el día de Noche Buena—de esta manera se reza una novena. Durante estos nueve días, hay una procesión desde la parroquia del pueblo hasta una de las calles donde se construye un nacimiento. Un líder de cada calle organiza a todas las personas que viven en esa calle y todos trabajan juntos para construir el nacimiento, cocinar la comida, decorar las calles, hacer las piñatas, y comprar los dulces para todos los niños del pueblo. El líder también escoge un niño y una niña para que se vistan como San José y como la Virgen María, y otro niño o niña para que sea un ángel. La Virgen María monta un burrito, guiado por San José, desde la parroquia hasta el lugar del nacimiento, seguidos por todos los niños del pueblo vestidos como pastores. El sacerdote de la parroquia guía el Rosario, los cantos, y los rituales, seguido por todo el pueblo. Las Posadas sirven como ejercicios espirituales de preparación para el nacimiento de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. La procesión es seguida por una celebración donde los niños rompen piñatas, cantan y juegan algunos juegos.

The Catholic faith has many traditions that are beautiful and deep, full of teaching and evangelization. I was lucky enough to be born and raised in Mexico, and there I learned about my faith through such traditions. For example, Las Posadas is a celebration that has lots to teach us about the Catholic faith. The celebrations last nine days, starting on December 16 and running until Christmas Eve—this way a novena is prayed. During these nine days, there is a procession from the town’s parish to a street where a manger is set up. A leader from each street organizes all the people that live on that street, and everyone works together to set up the manger, cook the food, decorate the street, make the piñatas, and buy candy for all the kids in town. The leader also chooses a boy and a girl to dress as Joseph and Mary, and another boy or girl to be an angel. Mary rides on a donkey led by Joseph from the parish to the manger, followed by all the town kids dressed as shepherds. The parish priest leads the Rosary, songs, and rituals, with the whole town following. Las Posadas serves as spiritual exercises in preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The procession is then followed by celebration, as the kids break piñatas, sing songs, and play games.