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Gimme Shelter?

Mexicans celebrate the Christmas tradition of "las posadas" every evening from today through December 24.

These rituals commemorate Mary and Joseph's difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. Each day the celebrants form a candlelit procession at dusk. When they arrive at the hosts' home, half of the party goes inside, while the other half stays outside and beg for shelter. When the doors open, the festivities begin!

Today's religious sculpture Los Reyes Magos (The Three Magi) was carved by an unknown artist in Puerto Rico. See more Hispanic artworks in our online exhibition Arte Latino: Treasures from the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Pictured: Caban Group, Los Reyes Magos (The Three Magi), about 1875–1900, painted wood with metal and string, 8 1/8 x 11 7/8 x 6 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection.