This is a blurb that was from the Austin American Statesman. It is from a book printed by Texas A and M University Press, written by Elizabeth Silverthorne of Salado.
She makes note of some different events in Texas at Christmas.
About the year 1600, ladies and nobles of Juan de Onate’s expedition re enacted the journey of the wise men to Bethlehem near present day El Paso, recruiting local Indians as extras.
In 1683, Spanish soldiers camped on the bluff overlooking the Rio Grande and on Christmas Day crossed the river, planting a Holy Cross and saying Mass on Texas soil.
Three years later, French explorers observed the 12 holy days of Christmas. According to one account, on the 12th day we cried. The king drinks, according to the custom of France, though we only had water.
In the early 1700s, Spanish missionaries persuaded some Texas Indians to join in Christmas observances. Many tribes already had Christmas like festivals. Their date determined by the ripening of the prickly pear. And one Indian legend spoke of a mystical blue lady who carried news of a divine child.
After 1821, When Mexico won independence from Spain, settlers flooded into Texas, though their main concern was survival often celebrated Christmas with the religious observances. Under Mexican law, celebrations were in the Catholic tradition. But some illegal Protestant services were held as well.
During the days of the Republic, when Texas could celebrate Christmas however they wanted, secular revelry became more common. Dinners, dances and parties lasted from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day.
Many early Texans celebrated Christmas with traditions from their homeland, which some still celebrate today. Among them. Mexican Texans had posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, German immigrants brought Christmas trees, and the Czechs imported traditions revolving around St Nicholas and holiday carols.
