Christmas Story

I want to share with you the blessing that happened to our family at the end of my pregnancy at a special Christmas time. As part of Amor y Paz UMC I was invited to the pastor's home to attend a Posada (a gathering to celebrate Star of Christmas and wait for the coming of the baby Jesus birth). My husband and I had the honor to represent Joseph and Mary in the posada on December 13. My pregnancy was almost finished and we were there outside of the house. We were singing to aks if we could come in for shelter as Mary and Joseph. Two groups were there, one inside and one outside, until the group outside came in singing and with lighted candles, happy to be coming in because of the cold weather. Many people (48) were waiting for us to sing more songs and read the scripture around the Advent candles. Four families each read the meaning of each candle, love, hope, joy, peace and Christ. Words of welcome and the meaning of the Posada were told. The table was full of different dishes of food that every one brought and was offered to every one. And we finished the pinata and the aguinaldos.

We felt special because God gave us the opportunity and the honor to represent his mother and father. It was a blessing for us because of what our other children learned abut this and how it happened around the coming of the new baby. It was a very special event for us.


CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE:

Again on December 24, my husband and I were again Mary and Joseph in the Christmas Eve service with our new baby boy, Jaden Vargas Arroyo. He now represented the Baby Jesus. He was born on December 17th. Baby Jesus is here to day, we are blessed again.

EPIPHANY SERVICE:

Yes, Alleluia!!! We are here for a third time with the whole family, Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus and the three Kings. 78 people came to the service to meet the three Kings. After the service all of us cut the Rosca de Reyes looking for the baby doll Jesus inside the bread, like the Three Kings searched for the Baby Jesus. They walked through the mountains and came to see Jesus. Finally we hare here after walking our journey of faith through the Posadas, the Christmas Eve Service and now the Epiphany Service. My children and I gave thanks to God because this experience wil never be forgotten in our life. Now my children call my little baby Jesus even if his name is Jaden.

Esperanza Vargas Arroyo