The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-08
ChristInas in Mexico.

mas festivities or "Posadas' ended with
Christmas eve. Then all devout Mexicans
went to the midnight mass, and the 25th,
which foreigners regard as the day TO be
commemorated, was celebrated by the diff
ferent foreign tribes in Mexico according
to The customs Of their respective coun-
tries. The Posadas were unusually ami.
mated this year. AS those who have
never visited Mexico may not comprehend
| the WORD, allow me to give short descrip-
ton OF these scmi-rcllgious festivals The
IDEA Is to represent the nine days Journey
OF the Virgin Mary and st. Joseph, when,
by order of Caesar, they went to Jerusalem
TO be taxed and could not find lodgings on
the route, but were forced to seek shelter
III stable IN Bethlehem. These Posadas
are held for nine nights, usually IN the
house of the eldest representative of a
family! A landscape, representing a
lionel y road through hllly country, made
OF mimic rocks, trees, moss and sand. 1s
arranged on litter, wax figures of the
Virgin ON mule, st. Joseph, staff In hand,
walking beside her, an angel guiding them,
being placed on it, and this is borne by
four young children. In rich families
those who carry the litter arc dressed as
angels, have wings of gauzc, white satin
dresses and slippers, anu are attended by
maids of honor carrying large wax candles
in silver candlcsticks. Next follow the
musicians, and then come the elders of the
family, the guests, children and servants
from the hcad-nurse down to tho scullion
and stable-boy, each bearing lighted
taper and all Chanting the "Litany to the
Virgin hlother;". the Cora pro nobis" is
sung by the musicians and male .'pcrc-
grinos" (pilgrims.) This procession makes
the tour OF the house (passing through
ante-rooms; corridors, etc then certain
number accompanied by half of the musi-
cians) represent family dwelling in Beth
lchen, and entering room lock the door,
ana one man who personatcs st. Joseph
knocks, asking for admission Che sings his
part and is accompanied by musiclans),
stating ''Thc night is dark and cod, the
wind blows tiercely and my wife is cx-
hausted bya long days Journey" Tho
chorus within harshly refuse the pilgrims
admission. st. Joseph pleads pathclically.
but vainly. Finally he cXclaims: "Alas
Mary, the mother of the Messiah, has not
where to lay her head At the mention
OF her namo the doors fly open, the Pill
grims arc welcomed with songs and many
demonstrations of respect, rockets are
'hSNI "ui llliuSC Ol InC
one' Is removed from the litter and placed
under canopy. There is usually in this
room "nacimicnio," OF altar, on which
ID placed representation Of the birth of
Christ in the stable of Bethlehem some.
times other wax and pasteboard figures of
1.-THE shepherds who watched their tlocEs
by night" the Wise Men of the East, etc.
are beautifully arranged with green boughs
ffnr{ {I,n 4
connected with the advent. allhasten down
TO the patio (court-yard, whore a large
OLA tan oarthCnware jar or vase covered
crs and ribbons) is suspended from rope
and filled with candies; q large circle is
formed around the ola, the chldron arc
by turns blindfoldcd, led short distance
from the spot, then stick is given each. |
One after the other attacks the ola. and
he or she who breaks it ig the hero or
heroine of the evening, but the scattered |
sweets are left for the servants. Imme-
diatcly after this the family and visitors |
retire to the dining-room, where bCnbons, |
toys and little souvenirs of the evening arc
distributed. AS crowning finale there is |
dancing and music in the parlor, while the |
servants amuse themselves in the court
yard performing the Jarobc, the jota Ara
Soucsa or some Indian dances. Tho poor
est family in Mexico manages to have
Posadas. Recently your correspondent,
accompanied by three friends, ascended to |
the roof OF building and, like Asmod.us,
looked down thence into the patio OF an
adjoining house, when the porter and por-
tcrcsscs were having their Posada. The
majority of their guests were walters and
musicians of the lower classes, but they |
sang the Litany to the Virgin with thrill !
ing effect. Our party was. of course IN
vls bic, and, looking upon these Mevlcans
from the height upon which we stood, tho
starry heavens above us, the earncstncss |
of the peregrinos, or pilgrims, in their
chant, mingling with recollcctions Of home,
50 moved me that only the presence of a
cynical Spaniard and light-headcd Amcri
can girl prevented me from knccling to
thank the Savior for the atoncmcnt he
made for us. Strangers here term these
Posatas ''puerile." "half-barbarous," etc. |
Even the most rigid Puritans or "Frce-
Il mixers" often arc moved by the music
and the general effect