"No Room at the Inn" ~ La Posada at First Church of Christ

Jose and Maria, turned away once more, during First Church’s La Posada observance on Christmas Eve

Fully masked and socially distanced, members of First Church gathered in the church’s parking lot on Christmas Eve

A new Christmas Eve tradition may have begun in Bedford when La Posada was observed at First Church of Christ, Congregational.

Posada celebrations are traditional in Mexico where they commemorate the Biblical search for Jesus’ birthplace. First Church’s posada saw Jose and Maria turned away at each door facing the church’s parking lot until the pair were welcomed into a circle of parishioners. The group—gathered around the warmth of a fire pit—represented the stable at Bethlehem.

Pastor John Castricum recounted the Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-20) for the masked and socially distanced group clustered in family groups.

After humming Silent Night, everyone went off into the darkness, carrying votive candles to light in their homes.