Posada 2025

What is a Posada?

Posada means 'hotel' or 'inn' in Spanish and is a tradition that began in Mexico. The idea is that different households in local communities take turns, each day of Advent, to host the church's crib figures - Mary, Joseph and the donkey - on their journey to Christmas Eve.

A journey around the Bluebells

In the Bluebell Benefice, (a large, knitted!) Mary, Joseph and donkey will set off from Abbotsley Church in the 10am Advent Service on 30 th November. They will stay in homes around our four villages, and then arrive at the stable in Great Gransden Church in time for the 3.30pm Crib Service on Christmas Eve!

Fun and hospitality

As well as having fun with the figures when they stay with you, the tradition helps remind us of the importance of offering hospitality and welcome to friends and strangers. When you receive/ pass on Mary, Joseph and the donkey from/to their previous/next hosts, you may like to light a candle together in remembrance of all those in the world who have no shelter, or who are making long journeys to try to find a place of safety.

(All you need for this will be travelling in the box with them!)

Don't forget to take a photo!

We would love to see what Mary, Joseph and the donkey get up to when they stay with you! So, please do feel free to take them shopping, to the playground, to Show & Tell, to coffee, or play-dates with your friends – just remember to send us a picture of their adventures!

Your pictures of their great adventure will be shared on the big screen at the Crib Service in Great Gransden Church at 3.30pm on Christmas Eve.

Please DO NOT include any children or other people in your photos! We just want to see what Mary, Joseph and the donkey have been getting up to! And it would be an excellent help if your photograph could be taken in landscape form, if possible.

How do I have them stay with me?!

Please click on the link to the calendar and select any dates that you are free to host the Posada figures. When we know everyone's availability, a rota will be formed and you will be emailed with the confirmed date that you will be hosting.

Please also tick the box on the form to confirm you are happy for your email address to be shared with the households immediately before and after you, which you will need for arranging a handover.

Handover can happen at any point in the day/evening that is mutually convenient, in a place that feels comfortable for you both. Your email address will only be shared with those before/after you, and with the Posada organiser: it will only be used for the purposes of this year's Posada.

Finally...

Any problems, or if the donkey gets lost along the way, please email Revd Juliette at: curate.bluebell@gmail.com and she will send out a search party...!

Click here to join the Posada