FULLERTON : Young Carolers Keep Old Tradition

Seeking shelter, Jose and Maria traveled in a group of about 250 people to three homes in the city Thursday evening. Three times they were turned away.

“Pido posada” (I’m seeking lodging), the group sang at the first home. The carolers, holding candles, were led by 8-year-old Ricardo Ruiz as Jose, dressed in a white robe and carrying a staff, and his 6-year-old sister Marilu Ruiz as Maria. She wore a white robe and light blue veil.

“Aqui no es meson” (This is not an inn), sang Lucrecia Morfin, one of the homeowners who denied the children shelter.

The carolers--about 40 girls and boys wearing colorful skirts and flower crowns or multicolored ponchos and straw hats--finally found a place to stay where hot chocolate, candy and Mexican sweet bread awaited them: the Maple Senior Multi-Service Center.

This was the second annual Las Posadas, a series of processions traditionally staged in Mexico from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24 to depict the Biblical story of Joseph’s and Mary’s search for shelter before the birth of Jesus. It was organized by volunteers at the senior center, Maple Community Center and Valencia Community Center.

This year’s event differed from the traditional celebration in that no Mass preceded the re-enactment of Joseph’s and Mary’s journey, and the Archangel Gabriel was missing.

Not all posadas are alike, but Eloisa Espinoza, one of the event’s organizers, said the celebration is part of the culture of Mexico and other Latin countries.

“Our community here is predominantly Latino, and this is part of our culture that we left behind,” Espinoza said. “It makes you remember your childhood and you pass the tradition on to your children.”

Rosemary Castro, another event organizer, added: “This is a cultural activity that brings the community together.”

That’s why Olga Rodriguez participated.

“This is a beautiful tradition that shouldn’t be forgotten,” she said in Spanish. “It’s a time for everyone to come together and rejoice in Christ’s birth.”

“We’re celebrating Jesus’ birthday,” said Gerald Chanocua, a 7-year-old.

Participants, who proceeded through the streets of the city’s Maple neighborhood, completed the tradition at the senior center, where the children broke a pinata filled with candy. The center’s holiday decorations included a Nativity scene, a Christmas tree and 200 luminarias.

Laura Mejia said she and her four children participated in their first posada since they came to the United States from Mexico two years ago.

“I don’t want them to ever forget our traditions,” she said.