He is more generous in Porto Rico than he is anywhere else.  He does not come on Christmas eve only, but is likely to call around every night or two during the week.  Each morning, therefore, the little folks run out eagerly to see whether anything more has been left in their boxes during the night.

Christmas in Porto Rico is a church festival of much importance, and the celebration of it is made up chiefly of religious ceremonies intended to commemorate the principal events in the life of the Saviour.  Beginning with the celebration of his birth, at Christmas-time, the feast-days follow one another in rapid succession.  Indeed, it may justly be said that they do not really come to an end until Easter.

[Illustration:  BETHLEHEM DAY IN PORTO RICO]

One of the most popular of these festival-days is that known as Bethlehem day.  This is celebrated on the 12th of January, in memory of the coming of the Magi.  The celebration consists of a procession of children through the streets of the town.  The foremost three, dressed in flowing robes to represent the wise men of the East, come riding along on ponies, holding in their hands the gifts for the Infant King; following them come angels and shepherds and flute-players, all represented by children dressed in pretty costumes and carrying garlands of flowers.  These processions are among the most picturesque of all Christmas celebrations.

=AMONG THE MORAVIANS=

For many days before Christmas the Moravian housewives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, are busy in their kitchens making good things for the holidays—­mint-cakes, pepper-nuts, Kuemmelbrod, sugar-cake, mince-pies, and, most important of all, large quantities of “Christmas cakes.”  These Christmas cakes are a kind of ginger cooky, crisp and spicy, and are made according to a recipe known only to the Moravians.  They are made in all sorts of curious shapes—­birds, horses, bears, lions, fishes, turtles, stars, leaves, and funny little men and women; so that they are not only good to eat, but are ornamental as well, and are often used by the good fathers and mothers as decorations for the “Putz.”

Every Moravian family has its Putz at Christmas-time.  This consists of a Christmas tree surrounded at its base by a miniature landscape made up of moss and greens and make-believe rocks, and adorned with toy houses and tiny fences and trees and all sorts of little animals and toy people.

[Illustration:  A CHRISTMAS “PUTZ”]

On Christmas eve a love-feast is held in the church.  The greater part of the service is devoted to music, for which the Moravians have always been noted.  While the choir is singing, cake and coffee are brought in and served to all the members of the congregation, each one receiving a good-sized bun and a large cup of coffee.  Shortly before the end of the meeting lighted wax candles carried on large trays are brought into the church, by men on one side and women on the other, and passed around to the little folks—­one for each boy and girl.  This is meant to represent the coming of the Light into the world, and is but one of the many beautiful customs observed by the Moravians.