Family maintains Mexican Christmas tradition

Wire Services CARPENTERSVILLE (AP) - Three-year-old Isabella Dominguez's favorite is the porcelain Baby Jesus dressed in a white and blue satin jumper, lying in a manger. But the Baby Jesus is a family heirloom that belonged to her great-grandmother, Basilia Rangel Leon. So Isabella's grandmother, Vicky Leon, lets the youngster cradle a plastic Baby Jesus instead while the family decorates its elaborate nacimiento, or Nativity scene, in preparation of "Las Posadas." Las Posadas is a Central and South American tradition commemorating how the Holy family sought shelter at various inns for the night just before Jesus was born. Translated, "posada" means "inn." Las Posadas begins on Dec. 16 and lasts nine days. In Mexico, the procession is led