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Family newsBy WANDA GOECKE Base LibrarianIn New Mexico, Christmas celebrations are unique and three-cultured in origin. Manyof the traditions come fromcentury Spain; butlebrations were adapted to e new world with some Indian pageantry and symbolism creeping in.If you watch carefully, you may see a procession of “Las Posadas” (The Inns) - a torchbearing group going from door to door re-enacting the search by Mary and Joseph for lodging 2,000 years ago. To their knock, as in the dim past, is the ancient response: “There is no room here.”The Las Posadas is an example of assimilation. The custom was adapted first among the varied Indian groups up and down old Mexico, but it spread throughout the entire Spanish speaking world. Generally it is presented in the form of a Novena which means that people re-enact it for nine consecutive nights before Christmas Eve. Usually there are nine houses orneighborhood families who participate.The “Nacimentos” crechescenes or nativity scenes, are often a part of the play, and a great deal of imagination is used in creating these colorful“little people” for nativity groupings. The Nacimento, with its tiny carved figures many of which are homemade, was present in the deep set windows of adobe homesthan 300 yearsThe “Los Pastores” isanother custom which enriches the New Mexico Christmas.They are Christmas plays which came from the medieval miracleplays. Generations passed most of these down by word of mouth from generation to generation. Missionaries also brought these to the Indians. Their love of drama and danceproduced a dance drama called Los Matachines.In various pueblos, festivities take different names, but in all they aredances after the religious service la Noche Buena. The dances succeed each other ascomic and serious, for young and old, and conclude withThe most familiarChristmas sight is the softglow of “Luminarias” - little lights that line rooftops, low walls and sidewalks. These aremade of small paper sacks turned down at the top and weighted with a handful of sand. In them, stands a single, short, votive candle.These are used widely decoration today with custom even spreading other parts of the country.forthetoLuminarias became community or neighborhood projects in many places. Visitors to Tularosa, N.M., witness one of the most lovely examples of this community spirit when everyone turns out to place thousands of luminarias along the highway on Christmas Eve. This is a sight well worthseeing.People who want to observe all the old traditions beautifully brought together in an old village square may wish to visit “old town” in Albuquerque or Old Mesilla near LasCruces.splendid eagle dancers.New Mexico is truly the land of enchantment at Christmas: sparkling luminarias say “Welcome - come in” to theAdobe” by Dorothy Pillsbury; and several issues of the New Mexico magazine. Many other books are available on the history issues of the New Mexico traditions as well as information on adapting New Mexico Christmas decorations -red chili peppers, ojos de dios (eyes of tne God), nacimentos, luminarias, farolitos, colored corn, Santos, pottery ornaments, and small Kachinas - to trees or celebrations.Christ child and all who celebrate his birth.Most of the above facts were taken from the book “Christmas in Old Sante Fe” by Peter Ortega, a descendant of one of New Mexico’s oldest Spainish families and a student of New Mexico history. Other references used are Christmas in the Southwest” by Taylor Lewis Jr; “The Saintmakers Christmas Eve” by Paul Horgan; “Star Over
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Alamogordo Sunburst
Alamogordo, New Mexico, US
Fri, Dec 20, 1985
Page 11
Full Page
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USA 03 Dec 2021
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