Parishioners Re-enact the Travels of Joseph and Mary

San Antonio, Texas has a strong Latino presence being close to Mexico and having been part of Mexico at one time. This article from MySA relates the yearly procession of parishoners as they travel around the community with the actors chosen as to play Joseph and Mary looking for lodging. Finally they find it at a cafe and the celebration of Las Posadas begins with refreshments and song.

Parishes with heavily Hispanic memberships often organize Las Posadas, sometimes on each of the nine days leading up to Christmas Day. The custom originated in the 1500s when Spanish missionaries used live, interactive dramas to pass on biblical stories to indigenous people in Central and South America.
The Holy Family's determined search for lodging was a key narrative, a long-awaited prophecy in the Christian faith, ushering in salvation from sin and hope for life's trials.
Parishioners are the cast. Mary and Joseph lead the way in costume, while pilgrims follow behind in plain clothes, reciting prayers and singing call-and-response songs. The script calls for visits to houses where residents emerge to deny Mary and Joseph lodging until finally arriving at a home willing to take them in.
At that moment, the somber journey then turns festive. The moment is for caroling, piñatas and traditional foods, such as pan dulce and tamales.
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Posada-A-Christmas-spiritual-journey-4135919.php#ixzz2FhpNR1jn

This drama has been repeated every year for now 200 years both in Texas and Mexico. How about other parts of the world? Yes, according to Wikipedia the origins are in Spain but it is mainly celebrated in Mexico and Central America. Here are a few regional variations:

In Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco the Vallarta Botanical Gardens hosts a Las Posadas celebration on December 20. During workshops in the daytime, participants make their own nativity scenes with local natural materials including Spanish moss. In the evening, carolers proceed to nativities that are placed among important plants including poinsettias and native Mexican pines. A bonfire and more singing rounds out the celebrations.
In Wisconsin, the procession may occur within a home, rather than outside, because of the weather.^[3]
An event in Portland, Oregon terminates with Santa Claus and donated Christmas gifts for needy children.^[8]
In New York, worshippers may drink Atole, a corn-sugar drink traditional during Christmas.^[9]
A large procession occurs along the San Antonio River Walk and has been held since 1966.^[10][11] It is held across large landmarks in San Antonio, Texas, including the Arneson River Theater, Museo Alameda, and the Spanish Governor's Palace, ending at the Cathedral of San Fernando.^[12]
To read the original click here.

There are also similar celebrations in the Philippines, Cuba and Nicaragua given on different days with similar names. If you have ever visit one of these countries at Christmas time be sure to take part in the parades and festive celebrations. It makes this holiday season seem more current and real.