A MEXICAN CHRISTMAS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXVI, 24 December 1898, Page 835

A MEXICAN CHRISTMAS.

American children will probably pity little Mexicans when told that Santa Claus is unknown south of the Rio Grande River. Perhaps he might feel lost in a country with no snow, save on the peaks of the volcanoes, and absolutely no chimneys. Their pity may change to envy when I add that, throughout Mexico, Christmas is celebrated by a festival called ‘Las Posadas,’ lasting from the llith to the 25th of December, or ‘La Noche Buena.’ ‘Las Posadas'—the Innis—is a festival in commemoration of the wanderings of Joseph and Mary, seeking shelter in Bethlehem, and having been refused entrance at nine inns, taking refuge in the stable. The guests assemble at half-past eight in the evening, and each holds a lighted candle. Two of the smaller children carry between them ‘Los Perigrinos’—the Pilgrims—a miniature stable, containing wax figures of Joseph, Mary, and the Christ-child, with wooden cows in the mangers, and often a tinj' Mexican burro in the foreground. Two other children carry hoops hung with bells. The guests, led by the hostess, form a procession and follow the children.

Singing ‘Oro Pro Nobis,’ and verses descriptive of the birth of Christ, holding aloft the lighted candles, the long procession passes slowly through the parlours, out into the flowerdecked patio, and round the balcony nine times over. During all this time no sound is 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 parlour, it is found closed. Then there is responsive singing, those on the outside asking admittance, those inside refusing. At length the door is thrown open, with a burst of joyful music; the children ring the bells, and every one shakes hands with his friends, and offers them his good wishes. Then the company troop down to the stone-paved courtyard to break the pinate, a huge, grotesque figure in the form of a clown, an Indian, a goose, or anything fantastic. Securely fastened inside the pinate is a stout paper bag of nuts and dulces—sweetmeats. The figure is suspended by a rope from the balcony.

Each one, in turn, is blindfolded, and with a long stick strikes at the pinate three times. It is a difficult

feat to hit the figure, as a man stands on the balcony above and twitches it out of reach just as the blow is struck, U» the delight of those who have failed.

At last somebody hits the pinate and bursts the bag; the dulces fall in a shower on the rush mat spread below. In a twinkling every child is flat on that mat,grabbing with both hands and pushing with both feet. In the parlours, little seed candies are passed in quaint little dishes, which are kept as souvenirs by those present. Cake and wine are served, and then follows music and dancing. This programme is repeated each evening till the 9th,‘LaNoche Buena’ — Christmas —when the house is decorated with huge scarlet flowers, and the patio hung with coloured lanterns. The pinate is a gorgeous affair this evening, all the guests wear full dress, a banquet is served at midnight, and dancing continues till nearly morning. I told a little six-year-oid Mexican of Santa Claus, of stockings hung in the chimney corners, and other delights of our Christmas. He listened with wide-eyed interest; but when I asked which lie preferred, he answered. without an instant’s hesitation: ‘Ours, of course. You have only one. and we have nine.’ HELEN WALSWORTH LESTER.