Dina picked up the house once again and then rushed everyone to church where the boys had rehearsal for their Christmas pageant. After church, it was home for lunch and then off to the airport to pick up Gabriela.
Kazu and Gustavo were excited to see their Abuela, running to her as soon as she came out of the gate. She sat between them on the ride home, holding each of their hands. After getting Gabriela settled in the sunroom, the family spent some time catching up. They had dinner together and then Julio announced that he had another surprise.
“Do we have to wake up early?” Gustavo asked.
“No, you get to stay up late!” Julio told him. “No school tomorrow!”
The boys whooped as Julio ushered everyone back into the car. He wouldn’t answer any of their questions but drove them, once again, to the church across town. It was dark by the time they got there. The sun had been setting earlier and earlier each day. Still, even in the dim light the boys saw the donkey and sheep.
Gabriela touched her heart. “La Posada,” she whispered.
“What?” Dina asked.
“It’s a reenactment of Joseph and Mary looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem,” Julio explained. He parked and led everyone from the car to the church where a crowd was gathered.
“Hey! There’s Eli!” Gustavo shouted. “Eli!” He called across the courtyard.
Eli waved to the family and gently led a very pregnant young woman to them. He introduced Estela and Julio introduced his mother.
“You should be on the donkey,” Gabriela laughed, lightly touching the young woman’s belly.
Estela smiled, her green eyes sparkling against her dark features. “Walking is supposed to be good for me,” she explained. “And, we both haven’t been to a posada since we were kids,” she said, looking to Eli.
My mother’s Salvadoran,” He explained, adding, “I know I don’t look it. Estela‘s Filipina and German.”
“You’re Hapa?” Dina exclaimed. “You’re mixed like us!”
“How pretty your baby will be!” Gabriela declared.
Candles were passed out then and a hush fell over the crowd as each person lit the candle of the one next to them. The priest began the processional with Mary on the donkey and Joseph beside her. They were followed by angels, the three kings, sheep and shepherds, musicians, and then the crowd.
They walked the streets, closed off to car traffic, singing for a place to stay, until they finally made their way back to the church where Joseph and Mary were welcome. Inside, the church was warm and full of light and the service continued with readings and more singing. Afterward, there were refreshments in the church hall and a piñata for the children.
The boys, full of sweets and yawning, said their goodbyes to Eli and Estela. The family rode home in blissful quiet. Gustavo fell asleep against his grandmother’s shoulder and a tender tear rolled down Gabriela’s cheek as she put his arm around her grandson.
To be continued December 19...
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