Dear John,

En el nombre del cielo os pido posada. In the name of heaven, I beg you for shelter.

I grew up celebrating Las Posadas with my family in Texas. Every December, we would gather with our community, carrying candles and singing as we moved from house to house, representing Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.

Las Posadas commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where they were turned away again and again before finding refuge in a humble manger. It’s a story about migration and resilience. About people seeking safety in a world that tells them there is no room.

But on the Texas border, Las Posadas carries another important meaning.

There, the procession doesn’t just move from home to home; it moves from one country to another. The prayers are spoken across borders. The songs echo on both sides. And the journey itself reminds you that our communities are deeply connected. 

That matters, especially now. We live in a moment when migrants are criminalized for seeking shelter. When families fleeing climate disasters are told there is no room. When communities choking on pollution are denied care. When corporate greed slams doors shut while people are left outside.

In this moment, Las Posadas reminds us that justice requires action. It requires community.

At Sunrise, we carry that lesson with us. We believe in walking together across the lines meant to keep us apart. I am so proud of how I have seen Sunrise members across the country stand up for what they believe in.

This season, I’m holding close the memory of walking with my family. I know that this year will require our perseverance to advocate for our communities. But together, I know that a better world is possible. 

Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season. 

In Solidarity, 
Denae Ávila-Dickson