Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-12-19
CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO.


Dramatic Religious Rites SDIingied with
stately Merry Making.
IF. A. Il. in Philadelphia Press
The holiday season in Mexico shows
rs strong contrast with the celebration
in our country as Providence presents it
in climate and people 1t has religious
traits that are attractive, and many of
them dramatic. In fact, every phase of
life in that Catholic country is singularly
tinged with the forms of religion. Dur
ing Christmas tide they are shown in
their best lights. Like all commu.
mites that worship their patron saints.
their holidays begin earlier and last much
longer than ours. The celebration of the
birth of Christ begins there with the pill.
grimage of Joseph and Mary from Naza.
roth TO Bethlehem, where the Child was
born. For nine days before the natal day
everything is given up to the first act of
this crude Passion play. The lower
classes spend most of their time in wor-
ship at home aud in the churches But
those who are Weather take upon them
selves the duty of celebrating every stage
of the pilgrimage of nearly 1900 years
ago Those moving in the same circle Of
society gather in groups each evening and
60 rs a surprise PARTY TO the house of one
of their circles They sing and rap Wig
orously at the door, when those within
ask.
Nv no seeks admittance?"
The irgin Mary and st. Joseph ask
lodgings in your house.
The doors are thrown open, and the
visitors are welcomed and conducted to
the nacimicuto, Il little altar erected in
the private residences of the better classes,
representing the birth of Christ. Here
each one repeats lrayer with the rosary.
These simple religious services over, all
arc invited TO the paror, where refresh
ments are served and the host makes pro
clamation that he is honorcd by the pre-
sence of Mary and Joseph, and invites
them all 10 make merry. Music and
| dancing succeed eating and drinking, and
there is prolonged merry making
Christmas I've ushers in new scene
the most dramatic and beautiful of all the
holiday season. The richer people who
have represented the long pilgrimage. Civ,
way TO the poorer classes, who now take
| up the celebration by giving the Pas
torela, dramatic representation of tho
birth of Christ The largest room thai
can he procured in the village is fitted W
for the representation, and the humbl,
! people, who have few wants and little tt
! supply them with, come in TO rcprcsen
the characters in the drama. q
The shepherds in the field observing The
Star of Bethlehem are cleverly repre-
seated, as is their journey under its guild
ance. The birth in the Manager the his
toric cow the angels and St. Michael ar,
all shown in the simple, picturesque bu
impressive play. The spectators who wit
ness and applaud the humble players, WHIT
are thus properly representing those whc
welcomed the birth of our Savior, ar,
sometimes those who made the cmble
matte visits of the previous nine days, but
generally the play is for the poorer classes
This charming introduction to Christ
mas Day ends II little befor
midnight. when those who hav
witnessed it are expected to enter
tain the performers. Then all classes q
to midnight mass, where the creates
crowd of all the year, except Holy Week
are seen. The food furnished after these
representations consists usually of bu
nuelos, whrat.our cake cooked mucl
like our doughnuis. and tesquino, kline
of beer or fGrmented drink, of which The
poorer classes partake freely during holi
day time.
Christmas Day is celebrated in quie
way. Nothing of the boisterous jovialit,
Of the American day is apparent. Gift
from friend to friend are rarely inter
changed. The servants often get theil
aguinaldp, Christmas present, but ever
this custom is not general Hearty an,
happy as is the McNican's hristmas, it il
Tn ioyed more - a religious festival thar
rs feast.