Know Your Neighbors: Rosalie and Jimmy Rivera enjoy unique holiday traditions

Despite their busy schedules, Rosalie and Jimmy Rivera always make time to attend the “Los Pastores” production at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church during the Christmas season. Dec. 17 was no exception — the Riveras planned to take their seats at 7 p.m.

“We attended a couple of years in a row, and we asked ourselves why we didn’t go before,” said Jimmy Rivera. “The more we attend, the more we understand. We pick up on what we missed before.”

The future audience member enjoys reflection of the story of the lowest members of the poor working class. He thought that the coming of Christ, announced by the angels, at first created fear for the shepherds. They didn’t know how to act, but when the devil tried to interfere with the shepherds’ hearts for Christmas, the sheep herders persevered through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rosalie Rivera added to her husband’s sentiments. “To me, ‘Los Pastores’ is about the shepherds. It’s a way of showing the people where Christ is at all times,” she said. “Because the shepherds were poor people, they weren’t worried about material goods. Because of this factor, there remained no danger of anyone taking anything from them.”

Christmas

For the Riveras, the holiday begins in Garcia, Colorado, at the home of Rosalie’s mother. There, three or four generations of the family gather to eat at about 6 p.m. No one may open gifts until after dinner. Oftentimes, the little ones attempt to rush the adults in order to check out the presents under the tree. After eating the dinner of tamales, posole and menudo, it’s time to unwrap presents – one at a time. This requires much patience and time as everyone “oohs” and “ahhs” over every individual gift. As Jimmy recalls, “This makes for a very long night.” The process usually ends at 8:30 p.m. or later.

Christmas Day occurs at the Rivera home in Taos. The Rivera children arrive from Albuquerque with their families. The family consists of Daniel; Raymond (Lorrina) and their youngsters, Andres and Isiah; Eric (Micayla) and their son, Joaquin; and Marcos (Mindy). Plenty of traditional foods are on hand: posole, menudo, chicos, salty and sweet empanaditas, biscochitos and pumpkin roll. The rest of the day, everyone opens their gifts and enjoys one another’s company. Listening to music and playing board games add to the special day.

Other traditions

The couple considers their participation in seasonal events as a part of their traditions. Rosalie, raised in Garcia, met her husband at a wedding. Besides “Los Pastores,” other traditions include “Las Mañanitas” (a birthday serenade), Christmas Midnight Mass, Oremos (children requesting candy on Christmas Day, the equivalent of today’s Halloween tradition), Mis Crismes (part of the Oremos tradition) and Los Días (a musical greeting to ring in the New Year, with participants traveling from one home to another).

The couple spoke more about the New Year tradition of Los Días. “We lived in the last house in Costilla going to Amalia – or, if you look at it another way, the first house in Costilla after leaving Amalia. Every year, people participating in Los Días would always visit our home, possibly because of its location. We weren’t rich, but when the people arrived, the table was full of food because we were grateful that someone took the time to visit. It was our way to treat them like family,” Jimmy said.

Rosalie recalled the same tradition at her parents’ home. “Popcorn, empanaditas and Mogen David wine were always on the table. My dad played the harmonica with the musicians who arrived. Our two oldest sons, Daniel and Raymond, were fortunate to be exposed to that,” recalled Rosalie.

Home life

The devout Catholics wed 41 years ago with the belief that they must work together to make their marriage succeed. Their union included many coincidences. For example, they grew up 4 miles apart (even though they didn’t meet until adulthood) and were baptized the same day in two different places. To describe their life together, Rosalie said, “We love God first and family second.”

Career

After graduation from Questa High School, Jimmy joined the Air Force and served for four years in order to avail himself of the GI Bill. When he left the service, Jimmy worked at Amalia Lumber Co. until it closed. Then, it was time to use the GI Bill. He attended school in El Rito, completing a two-year course in plumbing. Jimmy also completed an associate’s degree in construction trade management. While the patriarch attended school in El Rito, Rosalie remained home with the children in Garcia and waited for Jimmy’s arrival on weekends.

Twenty-nine years ago, the couple moved to Taos with their four sons for employment reasons. The Rivera family rented a place to live for 10 years and then purchased a home. “We love Taos, the people and the values that we share. People who relocate know they belong when they embrace the place in which they choose to live,” acknowledged Jimmy.

Rosalie and Jimmy, parents of grown children, enjoy a full career life. Rosalie is the lead teller at the drive-through motor section at Centinel Bank. Jimmy uses his education as joint owner (along with Rosalie) of Taos Winnelson, a wholesale plumbing and electrical company.

Spare-time favorites

As grandparents, the Riveras love to hunt, fish and camp away from all cell phones with the youngsters. Sometimes, the simplest toys are those that delight the grandchildren. A grandson discovered a fishing rod and spent an entire evening practicing how to cast. An old four-wheeler toy, in need of a battery, became a favorite with a grandson because grandma Rosalie pushed the vehicle for the child’s enjoyment. When the couple purchased a new four-wheeler (not a toy), the child told his grandmother, “You don’t need to push me anymore.”

Community involvement

Jimmy has served on the Río Costilla Cooperative Livestock Association board in Costilla. Rosalie taught religious education for 10 years. Jimmy and Rosalie served as mayordomos (caretakers) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish for 12 years, sometimes as leaders. At the parish, mayordomos also belong to the parish council. In a ceremony during the recent funciόn (feast), the couple passed their duties to a new set of caretakers.

Despite the fact that they no longer serve at the church, they plan to continue their spiritual path. During the Christmas season, they’ll begin with a blend of religion and tradition by viewing “Los Pastores.”