Have you ever heard of Las Posadas?

Celebrated globally in Latin American communities, Las Posadas (Spanish for “the inns”) reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem in search of shelter for the birth of Jesus.

The procession invites participants to walk in the shoes of those considered outsiders and to remind us to care for our most vulnerable.

In the wake of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas making a statement against President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts with a nativity scene that depicts Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as modern-day immigrants behind a barbed wire fence, traditions like this one remind us about the true spirit behind the beloved Christmas tale.

I attended a posada at Christ Church Cathedral here in Houston earlier this week and was happy to see how much love the community put into the event. If you’re interested in attending one for yourself:

Christ Church Cathedral has them every night until Dec. 23

Saint John Vianney Catholic Church has one on Dec. 20

St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church will participate until Dec. 23

Have you ever attended a posada?

One more thing: With the upcoming holidays, I’ll only be in your inbox today, Monday, and Dec. 29. We’ll be back to our scheduled programming Jan. 5!

Just a reminder, for our last question of 2025, I’m asking y’all:

What’s your New Year’s wish for Houston in 2026?

My wish is for the city to finally start implementing more policies to make it more walkable!

Let me know what yours is.

🤔 Houston ISD’s state-appointed board of managers is considering ending popular magnet programs at three high schools. If they ended, students would be directed over to the Barbara Jordan Career Center for career offerings. (Houston Chronicle)

🗳 State Rep. Jolanda Jones has endorsed Amanda Edwards ahead of the Jan. 31 runoff for a US House seat in Houston, where Edwards faces Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.

🗣 After a successful pilot program, the Houston City Council will permanently move one of its public comment sessions each month to the evening to make it easier for residents to address the council.

🎁 Rapper Slim Thug, a Houston native, helped collect over 200 gifts for children in need during a holiday toy drive with Checkers in northwest Houston. The event benefited Be A Resource, a nonprofit that supports Harris County children in state care.

🏫 When Texas voters head to the polls for the March primaries, they’ll have a large say in shaping public education as eight of the 15 seats on the State Board of Education are up for grabs, including District 6 for Houston. Michelle Palmer is running in the Democratic primary for District 6, while Tiffany Nelson and Barbara Denson will face off in the Republican primary.

🛒 The city of Bellaire is set to get a Trader Joe’s, a popular grocery store chain. A representative confirmed the opening, but did not provide a timeline. (Chron)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is implementing more stringent photo identification requirements for all vehicle registrations and renewals in an abrupt shift that could shut out undocumented residents from legally owning vehicles.

Current photo identification, such as a state driver’s license or passport, must be presented when new vehicle registrations or renewals are made, according to the new policy. The DMV said it informed county tax offices on Nov. 18 of the new requirement, which went into effect immediately.

The DMV’s list of approved identification sent to dealers and counties includes:

🚗 A Texas driver’s license

✈️ An unexpired US passport

🔫 Texas License to Carry identification

🆔 IDs issued by the US military, Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services and Department of State.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Sierra Rozen. with reporting by USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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