The group gathers outside the door of the home, candles and small figurines of Mary and Joseph in hand. They knock.

A song begins, as one group sings the words that Joseph would have spoken so many years ago, requesting shelter from those inside.

The song continues on both sides of the door, and, eventually, those gathered outside are welcomed in. There is a rosary, more songs and prayers and finally food.

The local Hispanic community is celebrating Las Posadas (Spanish for “the inn”), a traditional Mexican festival.

A religious and social celebration that takes place for nine nights, from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24, the holiday known as Las Posadas commemorates Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter prior to the birth of Christ. Las Posadas is a re-enactment of this difficult journey. It is an elaborate preparation for La Navidad (Christmas) in Mexico and some Central American countries.

This tradition dates back to the 16th century and St. Ignatius Loyola, who used an Aztec festival to teach about the birth of Christ.  He also wanted to replace the nine-day celebration of the birth of the Aztec Sun god with a Christian celebration. What started as a novena, or nine days of prayer, eventually moved from the church to the community and was celebrated in people’s homes.

According to the Rev. Jim Berning of St. Theodore Catholic Church, the local festival is organized each year by Noemy Muggli. It’s been going on for many, many years here. Families volunteer to host the celebration. This year, hosts were Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis, Jonathon Vasquez and Edith Reyes, Jacinto Grajales, Samuel and Maria Bueno, Jose Duenes, Rafael Sigala, Manuel Perez Huerta and Victoria Victorino Aguirre and Carmen Bueno.

“We had a lot of new families this year,” Berning said.

On Christmas Eve, the celebration will begin at the doors of the church at 11 p.m., just before the Mass in Spanish.

On that, a girl and boy will dress in costumes — newly made for the celebration — and carry a baby. They will rock the baby to sleep, Berning said. Come Jan. 6, on Epiphany, they will wake the baby from his sleep.

Berning said the celebration has been well-attended this year, with an average of 25 to 30 people per night. Last Friday, when it was held at the church, more than 60 people attended.

Typical foods that are served following the prayers are tamales, corn, churros, bread and always, hot chocolate, Berning said.

Lola Gutierrez remembers as a young child in Mexico attending Las Posadas celebrations with her mother.

Now, the Albert Lea woman attends Las Posadas every evening because it’s an important tradition for her.

“When I was little my mother always told us we need to remember when Maria was looking for shelter,” Gutierrez said.

“I do it to have a peaceful church year,” she said. “I like to go and to pray and to participate in my church.”