CHARLESTON — St. Charles Borromeo Parish and the Newman Catholic Center celebrated their first Posada Dec. 15. Posada, which means "inn" or "shelter"in Spanish, represents the shelter Mary and Joseph sought in Bethlehem.

In the Posada tradition, children dress in period clothing to act out the journey of Mary and Joseph, going from door to door through Bethlehem, seeking a safe place for the Christ child to be born. The rejections they receive represent the hardness of hearts that do not accept the presence of Jesus in their lives.

Missionaries in the 16th century brought the Posada tradition to the New World to help native people come to know and love Jesus and his Blessed Mother.

Today's Posada experience is meant to guide the faithful to their preparation for Christmas through prayer, penance and works of charity.

The Posada procession began at St. Charles Church, and made stops at various predetermined houses on Monroe and Jackson streets to request shelter. At each stop, the Holy Family was denied, until arriving at Hedwig Haus of Hospitality, a Catholic Worker crisis shelter, where they were welcomed in.

Patricia and Braulio Zaragoza played Mary and Joseph. The horse they used was provided by Laura and Patrick Tucker, with Laura playing the roll of shepherdess. Lucy and Sandy Garcia played angels.

Father John Titus, St. Charles pastor, led the prayers, and Doris Nordin led the songs. The Posada concluded with refreshments and piñatas at the Hedwig Haus.