Tuesday, December 1984
Santa's Holiday Guide
Page 21
"No room at the
o
By Jolle Jordan-IIendricka '
Dally NetraaStn Senior Editor
latant commercialism runs ramoant
inruugaoui me nouaays. uui it nasnt mar-
rt vrrvrommunifv MmunAiitt.u.i i
still celebrate the Christmas season in the tradi
tions of thdr ancestors.
Members of Lincoln's Hispanic Community
including members of the Hispanic Catholic Com
munity Center celebrate Christmas for more
than two weeks beginning Dec. 16. Las Posadas
(the inn) centers on a reenactment of Joseph and
Mary's search for shelter before Christ's birth.
Letty Sanchez, a former participant, said that a
young man and woman from the community are
chosen to portray Joseph and Mary. Sanchez por
trayed Mary in last year's Ices Posadas.
On Dec, 16, the couple dress up like Mary and
Joseph and visit a home in the community. At the
door, the sing a song asking for shelter for the
night. They are refused and the door slammed in
their faces. Each night the couple visits a differ
ent home and are similarly refused entrance
until Dec. 24. On Christmas Eve, the couple is
allowed shelter "for the night." The host family
has prepared a corner of their home for Joseph
and Mary that resembles a stable. A big fiesta
begins on Dec. 25 when everyone gathers at the
home and finds the baby Jesus has been "born."
Participants sing, say prayers and a mock rosary
holiday
for baby Jesus, who is represented by a beauti
fully ornate porcelain doU from Mexico.
People celebrate with presents, candy and
cakes, a surprise-filled pinata, songs and a feast
that includes empanadas a tortilla-fritter with
pumpkin filling. After the Christmas day celebra
tion, the group pretends that Mary and Joseph
stay at the house, and the holiday continues until
Jan. 6.
El Dia ds Los trcs Rccs Magos, meaning The
Day of Three Kings, celebrates the arrival cf the
three magi with presents for the Christ-child.
Mary and Joseph wake up the Baby and everyone
sing) sonp and gives presents to the infant Jesus.
They share In another fuMedged fiesta with
more candy, pinantas and goodies.
Sanchez said everyone in the Hispanic com
munity likes to take part in Las Posadas. Famil'i3
take turns offering their homes for the stable and
giving treats to Mary and Joseph after they are
"officially" turned away. She said that each year,
younger children are excited and eager to do
their part and carry on the tradition of Las
Posadas.
"The old customs never die," she said, "It grows
every year."
Another fiesta takes place Dec. 12 in South
Sioux City, said Lazaro Flcres, public information
officer for Nebraska's Mexican-American Com
mission. Hispanics there gather in honor of the
Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico.
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Irish spend
holidays with
family, food
By Ann Lowe
D&tiy Nebitskjm Senior Reporter
The holiday season is family
time in Ireland. Offices close
for several days, as families
gather to feast and play games.
"Things really shut down over
Christmas," said Desmond
Wheeler, UNL chemistry professor
and Dublin native.
Wheeler went back to visit a
family in Dublin at Christmas two
years ago. Christmas was on Sun
day, and banks were closed from
Friday afternoon until the next
Wednesday, he said.
"The only bank open was at the
horserace meeting," Wheeler said.
And there weren't any white
sales Dec. 26, he said. The stores
were all closed for St. Stephen's
Day, the feast ofthe first Christian
martyr.
The Irish now follow American
custom and deck the halls in
early December, Wheeler said.
Traditionally, though, they waited
until Christmas Eve to decorate,
he said.
Irish tradition calls for 12 days
of Christmas, said Louis Sayer of
Lincoln, whose father was born
in Ireland. The holiday starts on
Christmas Eve and ends on Epi
phany, Jan. 6. The Irish call the
wise men's day "Little Christmas,"
Sayer said.
The traditional Irish home has
a blessed candle in the window
"to light the. way for Jesus and
Mary," Sayer said. The poor use
cut turnips for candleholders, she
said. Irish immigrants brought
this custom to the United States,
but candles usually are put on
the mantle for all too see, she
said.
Continued on P&g 22
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