Describes the daily life and activities of Mexican Americans in New Mexico during the early 1800s including information about their homes, community, and links to Spain and Mexico.

Follows a Hispanic American family in a small New Mexican community as they prepare for and celebrate the nine-day religious festival which occurs just before Christmas.

When they move to a new village, Ray and Amelia discover the old New Mexico tradition of "los abuelos" that involves village men dressing up in frightening old men costumes and descending upon the local children, asking if they have been good or bad.