Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-20

AN all Catholic countries there is to-day Christ
] mas scene Of the Nativity arranged in various
h churches in cities towns aud country The exhibit
i ton usually lasts month and crowds of people
visit the churches with pious pleasure
Persons of means with large houses often have the
scene Nativity arranged for the children and
send out cards of invitation weeks in advance.
These exhibitions sort of representation of
the visit of the shepherds and Magi to the stable
where reposed the infant Jesus There is background
Of painted scenery, against which arranged life
like puppet CURES of the Virgin and Child Joseph the
wise and others Usually there is representa-
ton the Eternal Father and His angels looking
from above.
1t was said that Francis of Assist was the first one
to separate the Of the Nativity from the
mainder of the Passion and that he invented the
cradle which was used as manager for this occasion.
1t was his object to place before the common peo-
pie realistic picture of the stable in Bethlehem with
accurate surroundings and with the puppet
the great dressed in the of the period
He sought the realistic instead of the conventional
manner of the presentation He succeeded well
hat the custom, with slight variations, has been fol
lowed since
The figures are made of composition in most cases
and are very ifelike and natural; they are from
eight inches high and regarded with super
stitious awe by the ignorant In some the Christ
child lies naked in a manger; in Others where tie
Oriental idea is strictly adhered to- the child
wears a wadded cap tied round with kerchief
turban-wse and a striped gown--in Jerusaayhs
called a guzyhr-wound about with strips of cloth
or ribbon, as the babies of Southern Europe are
swathed about. One often sees sheaf of wheat
used as pillow for the Blessed Child the wheat is
a symbol of the Bread of Life
An exhibition of this kind is more common in
Italy and Spain perhaps than in any other country
Of the world. In each country it has different
name. In Spain it is called the Naceament; in
Italy, the Persepio in France, the Creche, and in
Mexico the Posada
The children of royalty in all Latin countries have
exhibitions of this kind A particularly fine
arranged for the present King of Spain when he
1uite a young child. 1t shown in Madrid
for considerable time and is being carefully
conserved for the of the Kings children. Clay
figures of the Christchd the favorite Christmas
toys of all Spanish children.
The arrangement and the ceremonies in Spain and
Mexico do not differ very materially that de-
scripton of one win answer for both.
The exhibition in Mexico takes its from an inn,
posada" The Bible story tells that because there
was no room for them in the inn Mary and Joseph
were obliged to take quarters in stable.
We read that when Joseph and Mary made the jour
new from Nazareth to Bethlehem in response to the
order of the Roman Emperor they were nine days
on the way and obliged to beg their lodging in
strange inn every night 1t is in remembrance of this
journey that the strange customs surrounding the nine
1ays' novena are kept up.
Several Mexican families usually arrange to hold
their posadas together and each family entertains the
Others on of the nights Of the The party
assemblies early in the evening Mt the appointed house,
each family bringing its servants and every one being
provided with lighted candle .a M
The company heads procession, headed by two
pilgrims representing Joseph foot and Mary on an
ass Mary wears frock of the Virgins color
which is presented to her and is often handsome
The procession marches through the corridors of the
house singing the Virgins Litany of Toretto.
While the chanting is going they knock at various