Show Los Pastores' Pastores Is Traditional Feature Of Mexican Yule NE OF THE traditional features features features fea fea- O ONE tures of the long Mexican Christmas celebration Is Los Pas- Pas tores Participating actors are trained weeks early for this pageant that portrays the story of ot the shepherds who followed the star to the stable at Betl Bethlehem and found the Christ Child Christmas songs passed down from one generation to another are arc sung by the actors as they pass through the streets at midnight Christmas Eve Each carries a along along along long pole on which are fastened stars of transparent paper illuminated illuminated from within by candles and b beats ats time to the singing with shepherds' shepherds staves ornamented with jingling bells The procession ends at the church with midnight mass the singing continuing until dawn while the devout kneel about in prayer On January 6 the day of the Three Kings Los Pastores sing traditional songs before images atthe of at the Kings On that day It Is the custom for children to stuff their shoes with hay and place them on balconies in anticipation of ot the coming of the three Kings The horses of the Kings are supposed supposed supposed sup sup- posed to eat the hay in return for which the grateful Kings place toys and sweets in the childrens children's shoes |