Fred and Amelia Ende brought the custom of Christmas trees, music and special foods to the citizens in Greenville before the Civil War. In 1863 their daughter Louisa wanted a doll, but Union blockades made such frivolities impossible. Fred Ende carved a doll’s face from a piece of oak tree. Amelia then handmade the body and the doll dress. Toddler Louisa treasured her new doll as all little girls do.
(Photo from Wikipedia)
Much like the rest of our country, Texas is a gathering place for people from all over the world. The very first inhabitants were, of course, Native Americans. For more than four centuries, people of Spanish descent have called home the area we know as Texas. Two of their Christmas traditions are some of my very favorites.
Las Posadas (the inns) is one of the most beautiful traditions to make its way north into Texas. Originally it was a reenactment of the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. Nine families took part in the novena or Biblical story. One family started the journey, singing carols and asking for room at the second home. The request was denied, but that family joined the journey. At every home the request was denied but the family joined the procession. At the ninth home, the request was granted, refreshments served, and prayers offered.
The journeys continued for nine nights when a feast and festivities were held at the last home. Here was lots of wonderful food and a beautiful piñata was hanging from the ceiling. Children took turns hitting at the piñata while blindfolded. When one child broke the piñata, candies and all sorts of goodies fell to the ground.
What makes this tradition special for me is that it begins on the day that Ludwig von Beethoven and I share a birthday.
Christmas on the frontier was entirely different. Many times it was cold and lonely. But families gathered for dinner at a neighbor’s house. Before dark most of the furniture was moved outside to allow room for dancing. Someone had a fiddle and maybe someone else had a harmonica. With the music playing everyone, including children, joined in the fun. About midnight the men went out to shoot the anvil. Since fireworks were not readily available, the anvil (a heavy iron block with a flat top, concave sides, and pointed end, on which metal could be hammered and shaped) was covered on top with gunpowder. Then another anvil was placed upside down on the first one. A fuse was lit, everyone ran for cover, and the gunpowder blew the second one into the air. The gunpowder created a loud noise on a quiet, dark night. Sometimes, pistols were shot into the air. Not a safe holiday but one with lots of excitement for those who lived a lonely life.
When German immigrants began to arrive in the 1840s, they brought their holiday traditions. Fred and Amelia Ende arrived in Greenville in 1857 from Germany by way of New Orleans. They had the first Christmas tree in town and invited all the residents for cookies, punch, and Christmas carols. It was an instant success, but sadly was cancelled during the Civil War and Reconstruction. In 1874, the first community Christmas tree was held in the courthouse.
There is even a short river in Texas named for the Christmas holiday. It is the ninety-mile long coastal river that runs parallel to the Lavaca River. Early Spanish explorers supposedly discovered the river on December 25 and gave it the name Navidad, Spanish for Christmas.
Be careful not to hit anyone with the piñata stick. All rivers in Texas have been located so you can’t name one Christmas. Don’t fire any pistols or anvils into the air, but do enjoy Christmas in the fashion Fred and Amelia Ende did. Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!