Mexico Missouri message., 1914-12-31


ter houses. and there II no snow on
whi,h his sleigh can glide. So the lit
tie Cubnns do not hang up their stock.
ings In expectation OF gifts.
The Cubans give presents In connec.
ton with the Christmas celebration.
but this Is done on Jan. 6. "El Dia de
los Reyes" The day OF the kings Cuba
celebrates the visit OF the three wise
meD- BaIthazar. Melchior aud Gaspar-
to the infant Jesus with their offerings
OF gold. fraukincense and myrrh. This
Is the annual love gift day. when the
Cubans give their children aud dear
ones beautiful presents In our bounti
full Christmas manner
In Cuba you don't ask child. what
do you want Santa Claus to bring
your but. What are the wise men OF
the east going TO give yuu!"
Instead Of our Christmas day dinner.
the Cubans have great family re-.
union. the Christmas eve supper. called
the "Cenu de noche buena.' or ''supper
Of the good night" Tue long table H.
grTced 10y three and four generations
Of the lurge families In gay attire
The Christmas eve supper Is the
great yearly family feast In which the
elder generation gives u blessing to the
young somewhat akin to that Of the
old patriarchs. The long festal board
Is spread 10 the great dining room. the
high ceiling and walls OF which are
covered with festoons and floral deco
rations. The table Is also adorned with
Cuba's many fruits. fragrant flowers.
tall parafiin colored candies and a
monstrous golden cornucopia filled With
delicious Cuban sweets. No big roast
Christmas turkey Is seen. but instead
a plump. juicy. gayly bedecked roast
pig Is the tables centerpiece.
A famous accompanying dish is the
great pyramid OF boiled white rice and
black beans. or ''Moros y Cristianos,"
as the Cubans dub IL in remembrance
or the wars between the Moors and
Christians In old Spain. This delicncy
Is much relished, and many are the
ancestral Jests made In the eating OF
IT, The choicest vintages of Spain are
served In abundance. and the air Is
htuSfdd Will tUDdCCO smoke.
The Christmas eve dinner OF several
hours concludes with the thick black
Spanish chocolate and various uqueurs
made In Cuba. At midnight the cock
crow mass concentrating our Saw
iour's birth IL announced by the ring.
ing Of the great bronze bells in Ha.
vana's many churches Blares OF shrili
trumpets. guitar serenades In the
streets and Joyous singing OF many
Christmas carols accompany the thou.
sands OF worshipers to the ceremony.
In Havana this mass Is largely at
tended by the devout, and the narrow
streets leading to the cathedral and
other churches are crowded by the
worshipers. The church services are
most impressive. Large bodies OF we'll
trained voices beautify the mass.
There are no pews in the Cuban
churches. The worshipers kneel on the
marble door or on cushions brought
for the purpose. There is perfect de-
mocracy In the service. Rich and poor
alike share In the mass.
The Christmas afternoon Is devoted
to many outdoor games. Hatless, coat
less. shoeless, the young Cubans play
along the coral ocean shores and great
palm tree avenues. The goat Is the
chiidren's favorite animal. and be Is
kept busy on Christmas day drawing
the youngsters throughout all the
parks.
The Spaniaris In Cuba retain some
old customs Of their native land. The
swarthy senors form rings of dancers
in public plazas and sing SPANS many
old sacred airs. The bandurrias and
guarachas. much like our banjo ditties.
are pleasing accompaniments.
The weather. Spanish and Cuban |
families spend Christmas week at |
their stately homes on the vast sugar |
plantations in SANTA Clara, Puerto |
Principe and other provinces They |
gather about them merry house par.
ties. which continue until the New
Year'a Their hospitality is generous.
and Americans are fortunate to be |
guests. The grandparents have their
several generations OF children and re-
new the old peninsular Christmastide
customs.
A sumptuous evening dinner is fol.
lowed by the dangerous Spanish dan.
"a An aristocratic old don will lead
the papalois. which Is similar to our
Old fishers hornpipe. He is followed
by the young senors and senoritas.
often In gay Spanish court costumes.
Throughout the smaller towns OF Gu.
bas provinces the poorer classes dur,
ing the Christmas week hang on the
front walls OF their humble homes a
large basket Tho passerby Is cordial.
~ Erected from the door and windows
OF the shack or PEASANTS more preten.
ious home with a most cordial May
God bless you and yours for ever and
ever In return the recipients Of the
oenediction put small coins. Christmas
frIfif9 and da.tca e{aa ana saltoior. M. |