Evening star., 1900-12-22
CHRISTM IN EXICO
THE FESTIVAL BEGINS THERE WITH
DECEMBER 18.
Church Professions No Longer Seen In
the Streets-Travels of the Holy
Family COmmemOrated.
Correspondence New York Evening Post

Correspondence New York Evening Post.
A Christmas in Mexico is celebrated in a
way so entirely different from the same
season in the United States that 1t is diff
cult to realize that the birth of the same
Savior is being honored.
AS the years roll by the festivities are
less strictly observed in a purely religious
way. and with less pomp and ostentaton
socially. Laws have been passed whicn
forbid the beautiful church professions &C.
ing beyond the doors. In former days
regiments of soldiers, generals, governors,
presidents and the highest church dig
nitaries took part, and the entire city sus-
pended all business either to join in the
solemn march or reverently view it. AS its
name implies the Christmas Novena lasts
nine days, and consists principally OF
pcsadas; the first held on the evening Of
December 16. the last on La Noche Buena-
this is Christmas eve, or the good night.
The two streets bounding on the north
and west the Alameda, with its trees and
flowers. fountains and shaded seats, are
chosen for the display Of articles for sale.
Loads of evergreens, bright berries anj
rich MOSES are brought in from the coun-
try by Indians and piled along the western
street, with delicate and feathery grasses.
Among the greens and browns Indian Wo-
men and children cook and eat their pep
perry dishes while the sales go on. On the
north side are the BARRACKS, or stalls, where
arc sweets of the most ailuring colors and
designs for all who have the money to buy.
These goodies are to be used in the pinatas.
which play a more prominent part each
year in the posadas as the outward relig-
ious manifestations decline.
The word posada means inn, and the
nine posadas held on the nine evenings be-
fore La Navidad, the Nativity. are in mem
ory of the weary search Of Joseph and
Mary for place of rest after their journey
to Bethlehem, or Belen. According 70
these traditions, 1t was not until the nlnln
evening that a kindly innkeeper. or posad-
ero, took pity on the expectant mother.
Among the tiny figures offered for sale the
good posadero is well represented, though
Joseph and Mary are prominent. Whlle
Mary on her way to Bethlehem is always
on muleback Joseph sometimes is seen to
walk and lead the animal. an angel 1oi-
lowing; or the angel leads, while Joseph
follows with a tiny cudgel in his nanuS.
Little groups show the three wise men on
their way with gifts to the newborn Lord.
In a few Of these servants bear the pres
ents. but as a usual thing the venerable
men perform themselves the task. Little
stables with decorated stalls and mangef,
Nino Santos Of wax, porcelain, or clay
are ready near by to be bought and carrlea
In the posada procession and laid In the
cunas.
It would be hard to mention anything ap-
propriate orsuggestive Of the travels or Ire
of the Holy Family not to be found In the
stalls devoted to their sale. Farm animals
and fowls milkmaids and stable boys.
shepherds and their focks. stars and
angels, are in pretty confusion, and the
careful buyers know how to arrange them
at home so that when guests arrive the
biblical scene has been cleveriy interpreted
and all is ready for the coming OF the cen
trail fgure-the N1no Santo-to pe lald IN
the manger.
One room in the Louise to which guests
have been invited to take part in a posada
Is set apart as the inn and decorated ac-
cording to the means and taste of the host
and hostess. At given signal those pres
ent form a procession and wander through
the rooms and corridors, around the patio.
in and out the old Spanish arches. singing
the litanies and hymns. The procession is
always headed by one who carries the babe
frequently a little girl. Sometimes little
children dressed as angels fit about. but
this part Of the posada Is gradually vanish
ing. At last the inn door Is reached. To
the petitions of the travellers for admit
tance a denial is chanted from within, I'M
til, after repeated appeals, 1t Is told who it
Is pleading for a refuge-then the door Is
flung open, joyous welcome Is given, all
burst into hymn of gladness. The babe
Is taken and laid In its cuna, or cradle. In
olden times this was always done by
priest. Now the evening gayeties begin.
The curious pinatas which have been dis
played for sale in the stalls represent fig
ures of human beings and animals, flowers
and musical instruments, beautiful and
grotesque, but all bearing in their interior.
though deftly hidden by coverings of tissue
paper. pinata or jar of pottery to be filled
with goodies and toys. During the evening
one or several are suspended and turns
taken by the young folk and children,
blindfolded. in trying to break the pinata
with a long stick. When one succeeds a
scramble for the falling contents follows.
Thousands Of dollars have been spent on
one posada in the homes of the wealthy,
the souvenirs being of silver and gold.
Such lavishness is becoming thing of the
past