Join Us for an Advent Candlelight Procession and Celebration at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Chapel
You are warmly invited to join us for “Las Posadas,” a cherished Advent tradition, at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Chapel. The event will be held at:
Gathering point for Procession in front of Benton Chapel at the Divinity School 411 21st Ave South, Nashville, TN 37212(within Vanderbilt Campus)
Location of the liturgy and celebration is St. Augustine’s Episcopal Chapel 7:00 PM: 2308 Vanderbilt Place #D, Nashville, TN 37211 (within the Vanderbilt Campus)
Las Posadas (Spanish for “inn,” “lodging,” or “shelter”) is a joyful candlelight procession and celebration observed in Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. It commemorates the nine days leading up to Christmas, beginning on December 16 and ending on December 24.
During Las Posadas, we reenact the journey of Mary and Joseph as they search for a place where Jesus could be born, echoing the story found in Luke 2:1-7. Unlike the original account, the tradition concludes with a happy twist: the “innkeeper” welcomes Mary and Joseph into the home, symbolizing hospitality and compassion.
This meaningful celebration reminds us that by opening our doors to the poor and the needy, we are welcoming Jesus into our midst—just as taught in Matthew 25:40.
We hope you, your family, and friends will join us for this inspiring evening of faith, music, and community. Let us walk together in light and hope as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.
With anticipation and joy,
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Chapel Community
NOAH (Nashville Organized for Action and Hope) Interfaith Coalition
NOAH (Nashville Organized for Action and Hope) Immigration Rights Taskforce
TIRC (Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition)
School of Divinity – Vanderbilt University
Schedule of Events:
6:00pm – Gather in front of Benton Chapel (Vanderbilt Divinity School) 411 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240
6:10pm – Start Procession towards St. Augustine’s Episcopal Chapel. During the procession, we hold candles, and we sing Christmas carols, and then stop at one station, where there is a short exchange between the people representing “the pilgrims”, and the “inn-keepers”. After singing the 1st station, we all continue singing Christmas carols, until we arrive to the 2nd station. We continue doing these for a total of 4 stations.
6:45pm – Arrive at St. Augustine’s chapel. Singing happens for the last station.
7:00pm – Celebration includes a short prayer, and then sharing music, food, a piñata for the children. Food includes Mexican sweet bread, tamales, hot cocoa. Christmas music jam session.
Where to park?
Here’s a list of places where you may choose to park when you come to “Las Posadas”
In the parking lot by the CVS at 426 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 (FREE)
In the metered parking on 25th and West End. (PAY)
In the parking at Centennial Park on West End Ave. (FREE)
Pay for parking at 2525 Kensington Pl. Nashville, TN 37211. Next to the Vanderbilt Gymnasium. (PAY ONLINE)
Ways to participate:
Be a guest. Come join the procession and then the prayer and the party.
Dress up. Have your children dressed as pilgrims (Shepherds, Angels, Joseph, Mary, Donkey)
Play music. Bring your musical instruments to the celebration at the A-Frame. Learn how to play Christmas music from Latin America.
Volunteer. Volunteer to help the hosts: We need people to help with set up, clean up, serve food, coordinate Piñata time and game.