Christmas on the Border
About a week after Thanksgiving, the comadres are summoned to the kitchens.
The platoons gather around kitchen tables and stoves to receive their orders.
They are armed with masa, corn husks, red chile, pork, good cheer and chisme.
They are preparing to launch the onslaught of tamales for Christmas on the border.
As the chismes fly and the Riunite on ice is served, the children are readied for their own battles.
Using paper bags, desert sand and wax candles, they construct the simple, yet beautiful Luminario.
The soft glow of the lit Luminarios perfectly aligned around the home invite the blessed spirits to Celebrate Christmas on the border.
Just like the star guided wise men to the manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago,
Luminarios show pilgrims of the posadas the way to neighborhood homes to be denied shelter,
Singing songs as they go, Para Pedir Posada, and ending in Entren Santos Peregrinos, in rejoicing voices,
When they are finally greeted by the aroma of tamales, buñuelos, y ponche navideño.
Let the parties begin!
And party they do! The large Hispanic familias pack into la casa de la Tía o la Mamá.
Happy to reunite con los primos from out of town or home on vacation from college.
The women all chatter at once, while los viejos with cerveza in hand, try to watch the game.
Lives are exaggerated and rumors told, as the children run around wreaking havoc.
Some are able to make it through the crudo to midnight mass at Guadalupe, Assumption or St. Joe’s,
To receive the Christmas blessing before anyone else, and more tamales and menudo, too.
The Star burns bright on the eastside of the Franklins, the centerpiece of the city, this Christmas Eve.
Luminarios y luces de navidad light up the neighborhoods in festive delight throughout the night.
And for the moment, life is grand and fulfilling. Sorrows are packed away for later.
Recollections of the ones who have passed, will be remembered in church and during bedtime prayers.
Tears will be shed in the quiet moments as they pay homage to our Lady of Guadalupe.
But tonight is the time to celebrate life. The new life of the Baby Jesus!
Victor Martinez and Roger Rios
12/19/2014
The platoons gather around kitchen tables and stoves to receive their orders.
They are armed with masa, corn husks, red chile, pork, good cheer and chisme.
They are preparing to launch the onslaught of tamales for Christmas on the border.
As the chismes fly and the Riunite on ice is served, the children are readied for their own battles.
Using paper bags, desert sand and wax candles, they construct the simple, yet beautiful Luminario.
The soft glow of the lit Luminarios perfectly aligned around the home invite the blessed spirits to Celebrate Christmas on the border.
Just like the star guided wise men to the manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago,
Luminarios show pilgrims of the posadas the way to neighborhood homes to be denied shelter,
Singing songs as they go, Para Pedir Posada, and ending in Entren Santos Peregrinos, in rejoicing voices,
When they are finally greeted by the aroma of tamales, buñuelos, y ponche navideño.
Let the parties begin!
And party they do! The large Hispanic familias pack into la casa de la Tía o la Mamá.
Happy to reunite con los primos from out of town or home on vacation from college.
The women all chatter at once, while los viejos with cerveza in hand, try to watch the game.
Lives are exaggerated and rumors told, as the children run around wreaking havoc.
Some are able to make it through the crudo to midnight mass at Guadalupe, Assumption or St. Joe’s,
To receive the Christmas blessing before anyone else, and more tamales and menudo, too.
The Star burns bright on the eastside of the Franklins, the centerpiece of the city, this Christmas Eve.
Luminarios y luces de navidad light up the neighborhoods in festive delight throughout the night.
And for the moment, life is grand and fulfilling. Sorrows are packed away for later.
Recollections of the ones who have passed, will be remembered in church and during bedtime prayers.
Tears will be shed in the quiet moments as they pay homage to our Lady of Guadalupe.
But tonight is the time to celebrate life. The new life of the Baby Jesus!
Victor Martinez and Roger Rios
12/19/2014
