By Boise Matthews

                                     On Christmas Eve, a small group of carolers trudge through the
                                     snow. Bundled against the chill and light flurries of snow, they
                                     carry candles to light their way through the village streets.

                          Ahead, they see a flickering light, a driveway lined with barrels of burning
                          ocate, and the group follows the drive to the front door of a large adobe house.

                          In the light from the luminarias, we see the carolers carrying elaborately
                          carved figures of Joseph leading Mary upon a burro. They knock at the door,
                          and when it is answered, they break into beautiful song, their faces lit by
                          candle and firelight. An older man plays a guitar as the carollers plead in
                          Spanish for a pallet of hay to lay their heads.

                          The carollers are tired and cold. This is the fourth house they have come to
                          asking for entry and so far, they have been turned away.

                          This time, the occupants of the house answer with verses of welcome and throw
                          wide their doors. Inside, there is a feast of posole, red and green chile,
                          Christmas eve tamales, biscochitos and capirotada. Mexican chocolate is
                          served, maybe even some wine or tequila. There is much laughter, and in the
                          garden, people warm their hands over the luminarias. Soon, they will all go to
                          Midnight Mass.

                          This is "Las Posadas," the beautiful and touching reenactment of Mary and
                          Joseph's search for shelter. The novena (a prayer said on nine consecutive days)
                          of Las Posadas traditionally begins on December 16th and continues through
                          Christmas Eve, each night a search for shelter, a series of refusals, and a final
                          resting place. Today, Las Posadas is usually condensed into one evening,
                          Christmas Eve, and the final festivities are always followed with Midnight Mass.

                          The rituals vary from town to town. Sometimes, the carollers are turned away but
                          given refreshments at each house. Sometimes they are led by live figures, a
                          young man and a donkey carrying a young woman. The groups may be small or
                          large and there may be musical accompaniment or not. Los Posadas may be
                          sponsored by a family, a community, or a church. In some places, each child is
                          given a small gift and part of the activities include breaking the pinata.

                          Los Posadas originated in New Mexico almost 400 years ago when Fray Diego
                          de Soria received permission from the Vatican to begin a novena which would
                          counteract the religious practices of the Pueblos. As with many customs
                          introduced by the Spanish, this one has endured to contribute to the unique
                          beauty of New Mexico.

                          Las Posadas may be seen at San Juan, Picuris, Tesuque, Nambi and Taos
                          Pueblos in New Mexico.