La Posada at the Colegio

Last Saturday the Colegio Mexicano-Americano held a Christmas Posada. It was not a Posada in the strictest sense of the word, but more of a Christmas Fair, with elements of the Posada thrown in. Whatever you may call it, lots of families came and enjoyed themselves.




The sign at the door invites everyone to "The Big Christmas Party, Saturday December 8th, beginning at 3:00pm, Don't miss it!" And next to the party sign is the Book Fair advertisement. Scholastic Books was holding a book fair all week, just like in the schools in the USA.

Some of the students put on a show. These 6th grade girls danced to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town".

First-graders had fun dancing and singing their Christmas song.

The Junior High students put on a Pastorela. Unfortunately I was unable to get photos of it because it had gotten dark when the play started and I didn't have enough light to make pictures.

A Pastorela, or A Shepherd's Play, is a traditional play stemming from the 1500s which covers the events prior to the coming of Jesus and ends with the adoration of the shepherds to the baby Jesus in the manger.

The play is a cheerful, fun-loving story with characters of the devil, a hermit, angels, as well as Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds. It has music and dancing and is the story of how the devil puts obstacles in the way of the shepherds and it makes fun of the devil and ends with his defeat and the triumph of good over evil. Each region in Mexico uses its own songs and dances to personalize the play for their own area.

The young people, complete with costumes, had fun and did a good job with the play. I enjoyed it.

There were games for the kids. This table is playing "La Lotteria" or, as we know it: Bingo! They were using raw chick peas for the markers.

Here is a game you won't find being played at schools in the USA! These are beer bottles and soft drink bottles with money under them. The child held a wooden ring and threw it at the bottle. If they ringed or knocked down the bottle, they won the money!! The little boy in the back reset the bottles when they got knocked over.

Lots of good food to eat: tamales, tacos, sopes, elotes, enchiladas, aguas frescas, cake, soft drinks and coffee with kahlua (another thing you won't see at schools in the USA!!) were available.

The school employees, teachers and staff, worked long hours preparing for the fun, and many people came and enjoyed the afternoon.

Hasta luego.