I just attended the posada on Olvera Street this past Christmas, so the 
tradition is still alive, even in the United States.  I have a 
childhood friend who has started hosting a posada at Christmas time 
among her friends (who are all Chicanos) and their kids.

We used to get together with a very large group of family and friends 
as kids in San Gabriel, California for the Posada every Christmas.  If 
I remember correctly, it was done for several days, because I remember 
families taking turns at hosting.  There were always bags of goodies 
for the kids after the ritual of parading and asking for shelter.. and 
champurrado.

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Erlinda Castanon-Long" 
<longsjourney@y...> wrote:
> 
> In the early 50's they did a Posada at the Catholic church in our 
> town, Stockton Ca. that had the largest Mexican population.  My 
> brother and cousin were both 5 years old and recruited to be 'Indios" 
> for the Posada which was made up of children only.  We still laugh to 
> this day about how humiliated these macho little boys were to be 
> dressed in white pants and shirt and have an orange crate full of my 
> dish's strapped on their backs.  They went to different 'stations' 
> asking for help but were refused until they got to the church where 
> they asked and were admitted.  Everyone got a bag with an orange and 
> some popcorn after.  Sadly that's all any of us remember about the 
> Posada.  The tradition was discontued by the church by the 60's.... 
> another lost tradition from Old Mexico....
> Linda in WA.