Show E Early Christmas Js Mass celebrated c in California When one thinks of the traditions of Christmas celebrations in New England the Middle States and even farther West in the early part of the nineteenth century it is to vision snow-covered snow ground sleigh rides and the jingle of sleigh bells with Christmas trees and Santa Claus Glaus much as today in those sections Whole families going visiting in the sled bob to partake of the Christmas feast built around the turkey THOSE WERE great times and days and their annals live on in the works of famous literati of the East Coast when our Republic was comparatively comparatively comparatively com com- young But at the same time a mighty civilization was being built on the West coast though how differently Christmas was observed in the sparsely settled and undeveloped land that tha t Isnow is isnow isnow now California and how few to leave record However Albert Robinson a clerk who left Boston for j Calif California in July 1828 and after days reached Valparaiso and Monterey on February 15 1829 has left in his Life in California published in the late forties a description of a Christmas celebration held at the mission in San Diego that shows the contrast between j such events on the east and west westi i coast at that time ROBINSONS ROBINSON'S business took him to various parts of the now state and while on a visit from his headquarters In San Francisco to his friend Don Jose Antionio Estudillo comandante of San Diego wrote of the Christmas festivities he had witnessed Don Jose Antionio I was ever on the alert seeking for some new device for my gratification It was nearly time for the festival of la noche buena the Holy Night and he directed the customary exhibition of the pastores They were rehearsing night after night till at length Christmas arrived and I had an opportunity of beholding the midnight Mass and the subsequent subsequent subsequent sub sub- sequent performance AT T AN EARLY hour illumination commenced d fireworks were set off and all was was rejoicing The church bells rang merrily and long before the time of Mass the pathways leading to the presidio were enlivened by crowds hurrying to devotion I accompanied Don DonJose DonJose DonJose Jose Antionio who procured for forme forme forme me a stand where I could see distinctly everything that took place The Mass commenced Padre Vincente de Oliva died in 1845 officiated and at the conclusion of the mysterious he produced a small image representing the infant Savior which he held in his hand for all who chose to approach approach approach ap ap- ap- ap and kiss After this the tinkling of a guitar itar was heard without the body of the church was cleared and Imme immediately commenced the harmonious sounds of a choir of voices The characters entered in procession adorned with appropriate costumes and bearing banners There were six females representing shepherdesses three men and a boy ONE OF THE TIlE men personated personated personated per per- Lucifer hermit one a and the other Bartolo a lazy vagabond whilst the boy represented the archangel Gabriel The story of their performance is partially drawn from the Bible and commences with the angels angel's appearance to the shepherds his account of the birth of our Savior and exhortation to them to repair to the scene of the mangerA manger A dialogue is then carried on of considerable length relative to the attributes of the Deity which ends in the submission of Satan For several days tays this theatrical representation is exhibited at the principal houses and the performers at atthe atthe atthe the conclusion of the play are entertained with refreshments The boys take an enthusiastic part in the performance and follow about from house to house perfectly enraptured with the of the hermit and Bartolo How different from the gay Christmas celebrations of California's pr present sent millions I And how different from what was taking place on the East coast |