Lecture 12 Outline

Ritual and Devotion to Christ

As U.S. bishops have pointed out in their National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, Hispanic devotion to Jesus is strongest at his most vulnerable moments, in the crib and on the cross.

Theological analysis of las posadas:

• rejected are recognized as God’s chosen ones
• joy of hospitality for those who accept the rejected pilgrims
• “following the way,” of walking with holy pilgrims through the darkness of rejection to light and joy of being received that comes to those who persevere on the way
• Advent theme of awaiting the coming of Christ
• incarnation of Christ in us, as he is received anew in the posada of our hearts
• Christianization of our environment: reveals that Christ is present in our homes and everyday lives, in immigrants and in the midst of the migration experience
• leadership based on charism rather than ascribed status – calling forth of new leaders and community members
• welcoming newcomers into a community (e.g. inviting newcomers to host posada) and call to justice for immigrants: we who claim to receive Mary and Joseph cannot do so authentically if we reject the rejected pilgrims in our midst today
• reinforcement of ethnic identity (along with other Latino traditions in overall religious system) 

Parrandas:

Puerto Rican tradition. A family makes a promise to take los santos reyes (Magi) on a house-by-house journey. Often the Magi represent three races: white, black, and Asian (with the black Melchior on a white horse usually the most popular of the three). They sing traditional songs for the occasion called aguinaldos, inviting families at each home to join with them as they continue their journey through the neighborhood.

Los Pastores:

Shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem parallels our life migration to traverse beyond temptation and distraction and worship the Christ child. See text in handout. 

Nacimiento:

Aún en el nacimiento, las tradiciones latinas nos recuerden de la inmigración. Account of my experience in SF household with emphasis on the painful events of Jesus’ birth connected to migration.