Las Posadas is celebrated Dec. 16-24 in Latin American countries like Guatemala. In Spanish, Las Posadas means “the inns” or “the lodgings” and commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey as they looked for a place to stay in Bethlehem. When Jesus was born in a stable, Mary “laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
During Las Posadas, children dress up as Mary, Joseph and angels and reenact the Christmas story. They go door to door each night and ask for a place to stay, but they are turned away until they are finally accepted on Christmas Eve. That’s when the party begins! They sing carols, play games, eat tamales and enjoy special Christmas treats.
Throughout Advent, parishes across the United States are partnering with Cross Catholic Outreach to bring safe housing to families in Guatemala. Like Mary and Joseph, they need a place to stay. In honor of Las Posadas and to remind us to pray for families still waiting for a home, let’s build a popsicle stick house to hang on your Christmas tree.
Materials Needed:
Directions:
1. Lay one popsicle stick horizontally for the foundation, and glue two sticks on the ends to make the walls. Let this dry for a few minutes.
2. Next, you will build the roof! Glue two sticks together in an overlapping triangle shape (as pictured). After it dries, secure this with glue to the walls about an inch below the tops of the popsicle sticks. This makes the first layer of the roof.
3. For the top layer of the roof, glue a popsicle stick above the first layer, using the extra space left on the wall and top of the roof. Do the same thing on the other side of the roof.
4. After the structure dries, cut and glue a piece of cardstock to the back of the house.
5. Now it’s time to decorate the house with paint or markers! Consider writing a special message on your cardstock, such as “Pray for Guatemalan families” or “Make room for Jesus in our home.”
6. Cut about 6 inches of string and glue it in a loop to the back of the ornament. Once it’s dry, it’s ready to hang!
As you hang your ornament, join us in a prayer for Guatemalan families.
Dear God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, into the world. I pray that our family will reflect your love to others, showing hospitality, generosity and grace. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Guatemala who have no safe place to call home. We pray you provide for their needs today.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Would you like to give the priceless gift of safe housing to Guatemalan families? Get involved with our Advent outreach to build 240 safe homes for families in 22 communities. Each house has a sturdy cement foundation, galvanized metal roof, secure doors and windows, and a full bathroom. Your support will be someone’s miracle!
Originally published December 2025. Last updated July 2026.
Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred through June 30, 2027, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.
