☞ READ: A Mexican Christmas in East Harlem

There's a charming article on the NPR website that talks about the tradition of La Posada  arriving to East Harlem via the new Mexican population that has recently become the majority in El Barrio. Groups of family and friends would re-enact the homeless state of Mary and Joseph prior to the birth of Jesus, knock on the doors of the host home and ask to be accepted to enter.  Once the hospitality was granted, a nativity sscene would be brought in and festivities would start.  In the homeland, folks would have the procession through a yard but in the city, the scene changes with the revelry seekers climbing up steps.  Check out the rest of the NPR article for more details: LINK.  Photo courtesy Nusha Balyan