Last December, Samaritan House transformed conference rooms and common areas into places of shelter and safety for dozens of migrants who had just arrived in Denver. Since the influx fell around Christmastime, staff did their best to adapt to what the holidays may have felt like in their respective countries. To commemorate, they put together a Las Posadas celebration. Las Posadas is a cherished Christmas tradition in Latin American countries, where people celebrate the journey of Mary and Joseph as they search for a place to stay before the birth of Jesus. In its second year of celebrating Los Posadas at Samaritan House, staff, residents and volunteers came together to sing in anticipation of the coming of our Lord and Savior.
The procession made stops at the recreation room, clinic, cafeteria and finally the chapel, re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph and asking for shelter. Both English and Spanish versions of the hymn were sung, putting people of all backgrounds in the shoes of Mother Mary and Joseph. The Christmas story reflects so many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness this season. The chapel resembled the inn the Holy Family eventually was welcomed into.
“When we celebrated this last year, we connected the rich symbolism of Joseph and Mary seeking shelter, similar to the many families who have come to us. Many of them can empathize of how they must have felt and the realization that the Son of God was homeless before he came into this world,” said Josh Zielinski, associate director of Samaritan House family services. “It’s a great opportunity for us to keep Christ in Christmas.’
After the procession, everyone gathered back into the recreation room for tamales and piñata to enjoy. All the families felt true joy, knowing this holiday is much more about being grateful to be with one another and celebrating a journey that is similar to theirs.
The Las Pasadas celebration at Samaritan House is a testament to the Catholic Charities mission of serving as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, and keeping what he would do in the forefront of our daily work. For too many this Christmas season, it is their first time away from their families and the unknown of what may be next on their journey is frightening. To know that Christ has too walked in their shoes, is as powerful of any.
The end of the Las Posadas song:
¡Dichosa la casa
que alberga este día
a la Virgen pura.
la hermosa María!
Blessed is the house
that shelters this day
the purest Virgin,
the beautiful Mary.
Last December, Samaritan House transformed conference rooms and common areas into places of shelter and safety for dozens of migrants who had just arrived in Denver. Since the influx fell around Christmastime, staff did their best to adapt to what the holidays may have felt like in their respective countries. To commemorate, they put together a Las Posadas celebration. Las Posadas is a cherished Christmas tradition in Latin American countries, where people celebrate the journey of Mary and Joseph as they search for a place to stay before the birth of Jesus. In its second year of celebrating Los Posadas at Samaritan House, staff, residents and volunteers came together to sing in anticipation of the coming of our Lord and Savior.
The procession made stops at the recreation room, clinic, cafeteria and finally the chapel, re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph and asking for shelter. Both English and Spanish versions of the hymn were sung, putting people of all backgrounds in the shoes of Mother Mary and Joseph. The Christmas story reflects so many of our neighbors experiencing homelessness this season. The chapel resembled the inn the Holy Family eventually was welcomed into.
“When we celebrated this last year, we connected the rich symbolism of Joseph and Mary seeking shelter, similar to the many families who have come to us. Many of them can empathize of how they must have felt and the realization that the Son of God was homeless before he came into this world,” said Josh Zielinski, associate director of Samaritan House family services. “It’s a great opportunity for us to keep Christ in Christmas.’
After the procession, everyone gathered back into the recreation room for tamales and piñata to enjoy. All the families felt true joy, knowing this holiday is much more about being grateful to be with one another and celebrating a journey that is similar to theirs.
The Las Pasadas celebration at Samaritan House is a testament to the Catholic Charities mission of serving as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, and keeping what he would do in the forefront of our daily work. For too many this Christmas season, it is their first time away from their families and the unknown of what may be next on their journey is frightening. To know that Christ has too walked in their shoes, is as powerful of any.
The end of the Las Posadas song:
¡Dichosa la casa
que alberga este día
a la Virgen pura.
la hermosa María!
Blessed is the house
that shelters this day
the purest Virgin,
the beautiful Mary.