Journey through Newport with Mary and Joseph

Newport Cathedral has embraced a lovely Christmas tradition that celebrates the biblical story of the nine-day journey Joseph and Mary made to find a place to stay in Bethlehem.

Originating in Mexico, ‘Posada’ means ‘inn’ or ‘shelter’ in Spanish and is when small figurines of Mary and Joseph travel around the community re-enacting their journey.

Rather than staying with different households every night, the cathedral community in Newport created models of key sites across the city to reflect the couple’s search for a place for Jesus to be born.

The Dean of Newport, the Very Revd Ian Black said: “The cathedral community wanted the posada to represent all aspects of the city as Mary and Joseph looked for a place to stay.

“It is wonderful to have this imaginative installation in the Cathedral during Advent.

“Through this posada, we journey with Mary and Joseph through areas of Newport on their way to find a place for the Christ-child to be born.

“It asks questions of us, of our hospitality to Christ and others, and through the four stations, of how we find Christ in our city today, “ he added.

The ‘posada’ starts in the Wetlands with a focus on the environment and our challenge with regards to the environment. It then moves to the transporter bridge and our industrial heritage, the story of the founding of the Cathedral through a vision by St Woolos of the bull, then on to the Chartists and the call for justice. The baby Chartist boots are particularly poignant representing those that the Christ Child will have to wear, and it ends asking where Jesus finds a home in this city today.

Designed by Wendy Diamond and created by members of the cathedral, including choristers, the ‘posada’ celebration is a reminder of the importance of offering shelter and hospitality to those in need.

The display is available to view at the cathedral from the beginning of Advent until Christmas Eve.