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Show THE HOLY MANGER "Presipio," Instead of Christmas Tree, in Italy and Spain. It Is Representation of the Place Where Baby Christ Lay in Bethlehem. GIRLS and boys of Italy and Spain, which are called the Latin countries, coun-tries, never hang up their stockings at Christmas time, nor do they have Christmas trees. Kris Kringle and Santa Claus are German saints and the Christmas tree came out of the j German forests long, long ago, when I the nations of northern Europe were forest tribes. It is the northern peoples peo-ples the Germans, Scandinavians and English, all of whom are descended descend-ed from old Teutonic tribes who keep Christmas as Americans do. Instead of the Christmas tree, Italian and Spanish boys and girls have the presipio. "Presipio" means manger, and it Is a representation of the manger where the baby Christ lay in Bethlehem. It is presented in different ways. Sometimes it shows only the inside of the barn where the Baby and His mother lay, with Joseph, Jo-seph, the Three Wise Men and the animals ani-mals about. Sometimes it shows a hillside, with the Wise Men coming on fool or horseback, or on donkeys, bringing their gifts to the stable. Sometimes Some-times the manger Is small not more than a foot square. Sometimes it is large enough to occupy the whole end of a room. It is built on a board foundation and is made of wood, with earth, pebbles, dried grass and leaves for the outdoor scenes. The figures are carved of wood, or perhaps little dolls are used, all very carefully and elaborately dressed by the girls. Sometimes Some-times brooks and lakes are ingeniously represented with i.iper, glass or Isinglass. Sometimes the whole is rough and rude, but again it is very neatly and beautifully done, and is quaint and interesting when all complete. com-plete. The French, who are half Latin and half Teutonic in their makeup, mix the customs of both races in their Christmas keeping. They build the manger and they also give the children chil-dren presents ; only, Instead of hanging hang-ing her stocking, little French Bab-ette Bab-ette puts out her shoes. The French call the manger "creche," and In country coun-try villages In France companies of children still go from house to house on Christmas eve, carrying the creche and singing Christmas carols. Sometimes Some-times they help to build a beautiful large creche in the village church, over which they are very proud and delighted. |