Since Dec. 16, a joyful parade of people has wound its way through the streets of the Mexico City borough of Xochimilco.
Residents carry a statue of baby Jesus in the procession of"Niopan" during a Christmas"posada," which means lodging or shelter, in the Xochimilco borough of Mexico City, Wednesday Dec. 21, 2022. For the past 400 years, residents have held posadas between Dec. 16 and 24, when they take statues of baby Jesus in procession to church for Mass to commemorate Mary and Joseph's cold and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter.
Posada season in Xochimilco is unique in that the neighborhood honors the Niñopa – the most venerated image of baby Jesus in the borough and considered its patron – and the story of Mary and Joseph simultaneously. “He’s very miraculous,” said Fernanda Mimila, a Xochimilco resident watching the procession. “We’ve read many stories about him and every time my family and I are near him, we can feel his vibes and we feel like crying.”
The Xochimilco posadas last several hours longer than most, and start at 8 a.m. when the host family picks up the Niñopa from its stewards. It ends about a dozen hours later when the figure is returned. Throughout the day, a priest celebrates a Mass, a meal is served and devotees can approach the homemade altar where the Niñopa is kept until nightfall.
The pair – a girl and boy for the 6th posada of the season -- playing Mary and Joseph follows the dancers. At the end, the Niñopa, traveling by van, slowly makes its way through the crowds.
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