El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-01-08
A Mexican Christmas.

American children will probably
pity lite Mexica~s when told thai
Santa G. ans is unknown south OF the Rl(
Grande river. Perhaps he might fee
lost ir a country with no snow save or
the peaks of the volcanoes, and alb
solutely no chimneys.
Their pi y may change to envy when
aod that. throughout Mexico, Christ
mas is celebrated by q festival called
Las Posadas, LASH ing from the 10th tc
the f5th of December, or La NOche
Buena.
Las i'osadas-the Inus-is q festival
in commemoration of the and erings
of Joseph and Mary, seeking shelter In
Bethlehem, and having heeu refused
entrance at nine inns, taking refuge in
the stable.
The guests assemble at about $3.50
O'Clock in the evening and each holds a
lighted cand e. Two of the smaller
children carry between them Los Pere-
erinos-the Pilgrims-a ministur e
seph, Mary aud the Christ-child, with
wooden cows in the hangers, and often
q tiny Mexican burro in the foreground.
Two other children carry hoops hung
with bells. The guests, led by the
hostess, form a process sion and follow
the children.
Singing ''Ora pro nobis," and verses
Qe6CrlpClVo VI Tue Olrbu VI LULU
ing aloft the ligh ed candles, the long
procession passes slowly through the
psrlors, out into the flower-decked
patio, and round the balcony nine
times over. d ring all this time no
sound ID heard except the singing and
the whizzing of the rockets which are
sent off from the roof.
The ninth time the procession
reaches the door of the main parlOr 1t
is found closed. Then there is respOn-
sive singing, those on the outside ask
ing aimittance, those inside refusing.
At length the door is thrown open,
with Q burst of joyful music; the
children ring the bells, and every one
shakes hands with his friends, and Of
fers them his good wishes.
Then the company troops down to
the stone-paved court yard to break the
pinate, of huge, grotesque figure in
the form of q clown, an Indian, a goose,
or anything fantastic. Securely
paper bag of nuts and dulces-sweet-
meats. The figure is suspended by q
rope from the balcony.
Each one, in turn, is blindfolded,
and with long stick strikes at the
pinate three times. 1t Is difficult
feat to hit the figure, as a man stands
on the balcony above and WITCHES 1t
out OF reach just as tne dow ID struck,
to the delight of tho Sc who have ia led
AT last somebody hits the pinate and
bursts the bag; the dulces fall in |
shower on the rush mat spread below. |
In twinkling every child is fiat on the |
mat, grabbing with both hands and |
pushing with both feet.
In the parlors little seed candies are
passed in quaint little dishes, which
are kept as souvenirs by those pres
emit.
Cake and wine are served, and then
follow music and dancing.
Ibis programme is repeated each
evening till the ninth, La Noche Buena
the house Is deco
rated with hung scarlet flowers, and
the patio huge with cOlored lanterns.
The piuate is a Gorgeous affair THE
evening, all the guests wear full
drese, . banquet is served at mid
night, and dancing continues till nearly |
told little 6-yesr-old Mexican of
Santa Claws, of stockings hung in the
chimney corner and other delights of
our Christmas. He listen ed with wide
eyed ir terest, but when 1 asked which !
Christmas he preferred he answered,
without an instaut's hesitation: