This little-known Mexican tradition will transform the run up to Christmas for families

The Posada is a tradition of passing a nativity set around from home to home. Gareth Crispin explains its simplicity and its brilliance

If you’re looking for a great Advent activity for your family as well as other families in your church and local community then the ‘nativity set pass around’ is for you. It’s a brilliant way to help your youth and children to participate in the waiting for Jesus that the season of Advent is all about. 

OK so a ‘nativity set pass around’ is not a very snappy title and yeah OK it’s historically been called a Posada (not to be confused with passata) and yes OK it is Roman Catholic in origin. But it is totally brilliant. It’s one for families that want to interact with other families and the whole church during advent – a really great intergenerational activity (if it’s a real problem in your Protestant church then just call is the ‘nativity set pass around’ and don’t tell anyone where it comes from!).

So what exactly is it?

So, this is how it goes - its dead simple, but produces wonderful moments. You find a nativity set – you want to go for one that ……