El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-12-20

LI"HE Pastores'' is story OF me
wise Men Of the East" lead
Il ing up 10 the birth of Christ
The completeness and the brilliancy in
which this divine" drama is presented
depends entirely upon the culture and
wealth Of the performers.
IN each instance that I have watched
this drama Of The Nativity" as in that
OF the "Pasodas." it has been acted by
the poorer classes. where every article
Of dress and each gift were purchased
through extreme sacrifice Of the per-
.sThe star of Bethlehem
Several DAYS before Christmas, If YOU
will look out over the city or village
where the Mexican population IS repre-
scented. you viii see hOisted upon tall
uoles besides some Mexican house,
bright light twinklinE in the air; II
you are familiar with the custom YOU
viii al once know that this represents
the star in the East" and IL VIII guide
YOU to the humble home. which through
sacrifice. has made itself worthy" Of
the performance OF the "PastOres-"
IN FL Paso. the charm of clear nights
lends extra beauty 10 these unique
scenes and enhances the Interest as YOU
watch the sandaled feet and silent fig
ures that essay the parts assigned to
The Wise Men. Joseph and Mary"
Deep Interest IN the Play.
They glide fascinatinsly through their
roles. their dark eyes glowing. carrying
one hack to the days of old Outside OF
the house. gather the actors Of the
.Pastores.' each filing in place among
the guests who crowd about. anxiously
waiting for the sacred performance TO
begin
The GLOW from the star in the East"
throws a halo about the scene. giving
IL a mystic setting 1t IS out here that
the shepherds 20 through their parts,
disturbed now and then by some boist-
erOus voice from a nearby saloon. or
the screaming of some playing children
who rush unceremoniously through the
crowd. chased by a bigger brother in
whose hand is q. bunch of exploding
firecrackers-
Music With the Play.
After the interesting dialog Of the
shepherds is over. through which was
interspersed some music Of a guitar
and a much out Of tune violin, you are
admitted within"
As you follow the crowd. elbOwing
your way into the house. you are per
mitted by the lights Of many candles
to view more plainly the faces of the
three Wise Men. HerOd, plate. the
high priest Annas, even doubling
Thomas with his sarcastic smile is
there. while the beloved St John is
seen timidlv crouched in one corner Of
the over decorated room
All the actors finally gather around
an improVised altar and chant most
y
Is broken by a figure Of the Christ
child brought in and laid upon this
altar Mary. his mother. follows close
II is AT this juncture that the narr1-
tive is recited- And she brought forth
her first born Son"
Tire End Of the Play.
The little figure is again lifted and
conveyed TO another side Of the room
and placed in a cradle filled with straw
over the mead OF which shines = large
tinseled star. Here there is a faithful
kneeIing of the audience and actors, all
offering thanks for blessings received
and beseeching other favors- Thus ends
the play Of The Pastores," and as you
depart you are reminded somewhat of
the Passion play performed every ten
years in the remote BaVarian valley.
In another part of the city at the
same time is being played. The Paso-
das" This is commemoratiOn Of the
journey Of Mary and Joseph from
Nazareth to Bethlehem. where they
were called in obedience to the man
date OF the emperor Of Rome 10 be en-
rolled in the ceDsus-
This journey was made BY Mary
seated upon a common little burrO, such
as We daily whack upon the back with
out thought Of his sacred ancestry,
made so by this holy couple choosing
this humble little beast in preference