Category: Christmas Eve

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The Origins of Mistletoe

You smile to yourself, as you hang the mistletoe in a prominent doorway or from the bottom of a chandelier, every holiday season. You think about all the times you were kissed under it – or all the times you wanted to be kissed, but weren’t. And this year, just as it crosses your mind that you have no idea why this strange plant became a Christmas tradition, your child watches you and asks: “What is that?” “Mistletoe”, you answer, hoping that will satisfy him. It doesn’t: “It’s a toe?” “No”, you reply, realizing that your parental omniscience is about to be challenged, “It’s a plant.” “Why are you hanging it up?” “So Mommy and Daddy can kiss underneath it.” He looks at you like you’re speaking Greek. You know the next word: “Why?” “Because”, and you know how lame you sound, “that’s what people do.” “Why?”

This could go on for hours, because, in fact, you don’t know the answer, do you? You hang your mistletoe every year when you decorate (hopefully, it’s plastic, since the real thing yields toxic berries), but you don’t really know where the tradition came from.

Well, no one knows, exactly, but mistletoe – a parasitic plant found on trees, the seeds of which are spread by birds and wind – has been an object of mystery in many cultures, dating back thousands of years.

Based on their mythology, the Vikings believed that mistletoe had the power to raise the dead. They believed that Balder, the son of their goddess of love and beauty, Frigga, was killed by an arrow tipped with the poison in mistletoe. Frigga mourned so deeply that her tears turned the red berries of the mistletoe white, and Balder was revived. Frigga was so grateful that she reversed mistletoe’s previously deadly reputation, and henceforth she kissed everyone who walked underneath the plant.

The Druids of ancient Britain believed that mistletoe had miraculous properties, that it could cure disease and provide fertility in humans, and that it would protect against witchcraft.

In fact, today, mistletoe extracts are being tested for use in some forms of cancer chemotherapy – it’s been shown to kill certain cancer cells in the laboratory – as well as to mitigate the negative effects of other chemotherapies, and to boost the immune system. In Europe and Asia, mistletoe extracts are used to treat all kinds of ailments, like arthritis, rheumatism, hypertension, epilepsy, and menopausal symptoms.

None of this will answer your five-year-old’s question, about why you hang it in your home, today, and why you kiss Daddy everytime you’re both underneath it. So just tell him, we hang mistletoe today to remind us of the need to show our loved ones how we feel about them. Then pull him over, under the mistletoe, give him a big hug and a kiss and tell him how much you love him. It won’t matter to either of you why we do it, every year – but it will feel like a great tradition to keep.

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About the Author:
Brought to you by Imaginary Greetings, focused on how families get by in this wonderful world of ours. To help create the perfect family holiday scene in your home, for the best selection of Christmas trees, lighting, collectibles and everything else Christmas, visit Santa’s Depot. Santa’s official online Christmas shop.

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Christmas In Budapest

Are you going to celebrate Christmas in Budapest with Hungarian friends? I tell you some essential information about opening hours, public transport and some interesting Hungarian Christmas traditions.

In mid-November Budapest starts to prepare for Christmas. Streets are decorated with colourful lights, shop-windows are adorned to lure in customers hunting for gifts. More and more
people set out to look for the ideal Christmas presents in shops or in the markets. If you’re looking for a unique Hungarian gift and want to get away from the all alike shops visit the Budapest Christmas Fair at Vörösmarty Square.

Opening Hours at Christmas in Budapest

Shops are open for the Bronze, Silver and Gold Sundays on the three weekends before Christmas. Shops close around early afternoon on 24th December and open only on 27th December. Some larger shopping malls might stay open until early evening on 24th December. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day all shops, supermarkets are closed in Budapest. Many shops do not open between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.  Life gets back to normal after 1st January.

Restaurants are also closed on Christmas Eve (24th December), but most of them open on 25th-26th December. Budapest is a popular tourist destination even in winter and restaurant owners are well aware of that. Don’t worry you’ll definitely find several good restaurants open during Christmas in Budapest.

Public Transport at Christmas in Budapest

Public transport vehicles run until around 15.00-16.00. After 16.00 night services carry passengers. On 25th-26th December vehicles run according to holiday schedule. Between 27th and 1st January, vehicles run less frequently than they do on usual weekdays. It’s also holiday at schools, all public transport vehicles run according to schedules valid during school holidays.

Some Hungarian Christmas Traditions

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Hungary. The main celebration is on Christmas Eve (it’s Szenteste in Hungarian, meaning Holy Night). Family members get together in the afternoon on 24th December and decorate the Christmas tree. Grandparents or elder brothers and sisters look after the little ones, so they won’t see their presents placed under the tree. The fragrant fir is adorned with colourful paper decorations and a special Hungarian Christmas candy (szaloncukor) wrapped in shinny coloured papers. Housewives cook traditional Hungarian Christmas dishes in the kitchen. We usually have fish soup, stuffed cabbage, pastry rolls stuffed with poppy seed, walnut or chestnut stuffings (it’s called bejgli in Hungarian). Family members exchange gifts in the evening on 24th December while listening to traditional Christmas songs. In Hungary baby Jesus brings the presents, not Santa. We celebrate the arrival of Santa on 6th December, St. Nicholas Day. At midnight people go to the midnight mass. Organ music and pine scent fill the air in churches where people sing together classical Christmas songs. Even non-religious people attend this mass because of its festive and uplifting atmosphere. On the following two days relatives and friends visit it each other at their homes, have traditional Christmas dishes and desserts.

Weather around Christmas in Budapest

When I was a little kid there was always thick snow around Christmas. The first snowflakes fell usually at the end of November. The temperatures were around zero or below. Today it is hard to tell what will be the weather like around Christmas. Due to global warming we have not see any snow in the past couple of years. The weather around Christmas is sometimes rather mild and dull, with some rain, and it’s crispy and sunny with crystal blue sky at times. I prefer the latter, though I long for white Christmas every year.

Programs at Christmas in Budapest

The world famous 100-member Gypsy Orchestra performs a concert on 30th December, at 6 pm in the Budapest Congress Centre. They’ll play both classical and traditional folk music.

The whole city calms down for a couple of days. You can only hear the sound of Christmas concerts and Advent songs in Budapest’s churches. After the hectic shopping it’s a real relaxation to listen to the organ works and contemplate about the meaning of Advent and Christmas. I recommend the Lights of Christmas Festival in Matthias Church on Castle Hill.

Merry Christmas in Budapest!

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About the Author:
Erzsebet Dobos lives in Budapest and her goal is to share her insider knowledge about Budapest with tourists visiting the city. On her website at www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/index.html, she provides up-to-date information about the city.

Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=21994&ca=Travel
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Christmas Traditions: Manufacturing Memories

What are your favorite memories of the holidays as a child?

More than likely those memories include family traditions from, the day you choose to decorate your tree, to the kinds of food you eat at the holidays.

Remember that you and your husband came from separate families with different customs and traditions.

When creating a legacy for your children, it is appropriate to use a couple traditions from each of your families and come up with some new ones for your own family. Don’t try to do them all or you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed rather than enriched. Here are some ideas.

  • Kick off the holiday season by attending an event every year. Some suggestions are: The Festival of Trees, attend a play such as A Christmas Carol, or a Christmas concert.
  • Together, bake a cake on Christmas Eve for Jesus to remind you whose birthday you are really celebrating. Light a candle and even sing “Happy Birthday” to Him.
  • Sound, smells and tastes can certainly bring back fond memories of past Christmases. The sound that is Christmas to me is Johnny Mathis’s Christmas album, which my mother played each year and I still adore now.
  • The food that means “holiday” to me is this frozen fruit salad recipe. We had it almost every holiday season. What are the sounds, smells and tastes that evoke your Christmas memories? Include those as part of your family’s traditions.
  • This tradition was submitted by Marilyn Brina:
    On Christmas morning, the youngest child goes in and opens his stocking. The the other children go in and open their stockings all while Dad is taking movies of us. Then Dad hands out each gift and we all watch as each gift is opened. Then after the gifts are opened, we eat scrambled eggs, sweet rolls and hot chocolate for breakfast.
  • There are several books of compiled Christmas short stories available in bookstores and libraries. Read to your family each night before bedtime.
  • On the first day of December read to your family “The Giving Tree”, by Shel Silverstein. As a family, make an advent calendar in the shape of a tree and determine 25 “gifts” you can share with neighbors, relative, teachers, and friends. The gifts could be things such as shoveling snow from a neighbor’s walk, visiting a widow, taking homemade bread to someone. Write each gift on a separate “leaf” and attach it to the tree. Number the leaves from 1 to 25. Each day during December, turn over the corresponding leaf on the calendar and give whatever “gift” is listed there.
  • Use your children’s artwork (which most families have in great abundance) to decorate wrapped packages. Your children will feel pride in the fact that their work is contributing to the holiday decorations.
  • Each Christmas of my childhood we would go “Santa Clausing”. My dad dressing up as Santa we children would dress as elves or reindeer. We would then deliver plates of Christmas goodies to friends and neighbors as we caroled. And of course, Santa had a candy cane in his bag for each child he encountered.
  • Give a new ornament to each child each year. Store each child’s collection in a special box that he can take with him when he leaves the nest. Not only will it give your child a few ornaments to decorate his tree, but it will be a reminder of past Christmases.
  • Take lots of pictures throughout the holidays. Each year create several new scrapbook pages that can be put into a special Christmas scrapbook album. It is wonderful to have out at holiday family gatherings for everyone to enjoy!
  • Several years we have been on the giving and the receiving end of “The 12 Days of Christmas”. Pick an individual or family that may be having a difficult holiday season, or that you just want to friendship. Each night anonymously leave a small gift with a note or poem on the receivers porch. (It can be exciting and tricky trying not to get caught 12 nights in a row!)
  • Another option is to compile the 12 gifts all at the same time. Be sure they are small and lay them on a 4 to 5 foot piece of colored plastic wrap. Enclose gifts in wrap and make a long rope separating each gift with ties of ribbon. Each night the receivers can cut off a new gift, and you only have one chance of being caught!

Use traditions to create lasting happy memories for your family that can be looked forward to every year.

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About the Author:
Teresa Hansen is the creator of Moms Making It! www.momsmakingit.com sharing creative ideas to save time, save money, and enrich your life! She is a wife, and mother of five children, and always looking for new ideas and products for moms “making it!” Get “Christmas Neighborhood Gift Ideas” ebook FREE by signing up for the newsletter at her site.

Article Resource: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=354&ca=Family+Concerns
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The Little Broken Angel

Ruth liked watching big storms. So when the rain was really pouring down that night, she sat in the front room with the lights off and watched it safely in her house. Suddenly she saw a small figure walking into their cul-de-sac. It was a girl. She had no coat on and the rain was soaking her hair and dress completely. It was clear she was crying.

“Mommy come quick”, Ruth cried out and when Mommy saw the poor girl, she rushed out onto the porch. Ruth came out with her and as she looked more closely, she suddenly recognized the girl. “Oh Mommy, its Shantel!”  Shantel was Ruth’s best friend ever and they had been like sisters since kindergarten.

“Go get her Ruth,” Mommy said wisely, knowing that if Shantel was upset, seeing her dear friend first would be the best thing. She watched her daughter rush to the street and embrace her friend and then lead her back to the porch. As the girls approached, Mommy went inside and got some blankets to dry Shantel.

“I ran away Ruth. I am so cold” Shantel said as Ruth brought her to the house.

“Come in. You will get sick out here.” Ruth was in tears – she was so afraid for her friend. Shantel came in and quickly Mommy and Daddy were there drying her hair and warming her. Mommy gave her some of Ruth’s warmest things to wear for a while and Daddy got some of the hot soup they had enjoyed at dinner and the whole family sat with her and made her feel safe and loved as she recovered. Shantel just looked at Ruth’s mom and dad in amazement as she sipped her soup and finally the shivering stopped.

“Why don’t you two girls go to Ruth’s room and play so you can settle down” Mommy said, noticing that Shantel wasn’t talking much with the adults around.

“Why did you run away?” Ruth asked right away when they were in her room.

“I was so afraid. My mom has a very expensive display of glass angel statues. Well, while they were out today, I took one down the play with it and I broke its wing. I think it was her favorite and I knew she would be so mad so I ran away. I was so upset, I didn’t know where else to go so I came to you.” Shantel started crying again.

“I am so glad you came here Shantel”, said Ruth, hugging her friend.

“Your parents are so amazing. They didn’t act mad that I messed up their carpet or anything.”

“Shantel, parents are like that. Your mom and dad are too. Sure, they correct us. We need that. But your mom and dad love you no matter what”, Ruth explained.

“Shantel, your mom is on the phone.” Ruth’s mom called up the stairs. Right away Shantel got scared. Then Ruth’s mom stepped into the room holding her hand over the speaker. “She is crying, Shantel. I told her you were safe but she wants to tell you how much she loves you.”

Ruth and her mom stepped out so Shantel could take the call in private. Finally, she came out, sniffling. She handed the phone to Ruth’s mom to talk to her parents and then turned to Ruth. “She said nothing in the world was more important than me and she wanted me home in my own room where I can be safe and with her and daddy.” Shantel was looking confused.

When Ruth’s mom finished on the phone she sat down with the girls and helped Shantel dry her tears. Ruth’s dad came in and sat down too. “I don’t understand why my mom isn’t really mad I broke her angel,” she told Ruth’s parents.

“Shantel, you have to understand something about parents.” Daddy said. “Your dad and mom love you no matter what. When they scold or try to teach you, that is part of love because they just want you to grow up to be all that God made you to be. But their love is unconditional. That means nothing you can do will make you deserve it and nothing bad you ever do will ever make them stop loving you.”

“But I don’t understand how they can do that” Shantel said, looking to Ruth’s dad for help.

“That’s easy Shantel”, Mommy interrupted. “It’s because that is how God loves us and how God loves you. God is your heavenly Father and He made moms and dad just like Him. In fact, God loved you and me so much, he was willing to let Jesus die on the cross so we can always be in heaven with him. Your mom and dad would die rather than see you hurt, sweetie. That is the nature of God in them.” She reached out to hold Shantel’s hand.

“But I love them so much. I don’t want them to die or sick or get old or even be sad,” Shantel said emotionally.

“Then let’s get you home to them and when you get there, you hug them and tell them how much you love them,” Daddy instructed her. “Then in the future if you do something wrong, you tell them right away and never ever run away again, ok?”

“I promise”, Shantel said and then Ruth and her parents drove her home.

As she ran up to the door and hugged her mom and dad, Ruth said, “It’s too bad about the broken angel.”

But Mommy just smiled and hugged Ruth as she watched. “It looks to me like the real little angel isn’t broken any more and will never get broken again.”

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Fun Facts About Christmas In France

The Christmas season is a special time I look forward to throughout the year. I enjoy learning about traditions and beliefs from other countries. Every country has unique Christmas customs and beliefs. Let’s take a look at how the French celebrate Christmas.

Church

In France, Christmas is known as Noel, which comes from the French expression “les bonnes nouvelles” which means “the good news” and denotes The Gospel. One very important part of Christmas for many French families is attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. It is followed by a huge feast, called le Reveillon (which comes from the verb reveiller – to wake up), which is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ’s birth. Many families go so far as to leave a candle burning in a window in case the Virgin Mary passes by.

Gifts

Christmas is primarily seen as a children’s holiday, and they open small gifts on Christmas Eve. The remaining main gifts and cards are exchanged on new Year’s Day. Adults can open their gifts on Christmas Day. Children place their shoes in front of the fireplace in the hope that Pere Noel will fill them with gifts. Just like children around the world, French children like to send gift requests to Santa. And they are sure to get a postcard in reply! You see, a law was passed in 1962 that all letters written to Santa would receive a postcard in reply.

Food

French cooking has a prominant place at Christmastime. There are many traditional dishes to be found in many of the houses. Each region has its own traditional menu, with dishes such as goose, chicken, capon, and boudin blanc (which is similar to a white pudding). It is thought to be good luck to eat oysters, but the main course is almost always turkey stuffed with chestnuts.

Another tradition is that meat should not be eaten on Christmas Eve. And it is said to be good luck to have 13 desserts during the Christmas Eve festivities. Yummy! This number represents the 12 apostles and Jesus at the Last Supper. The traditional dessert dishes may include raisins, dates, oranges, dried figs, nuts, and the Buche de Noel (Yule log). The Buche de Noel is usually made from chocolate, rolled with a butter cream or whipped cream filling, then covered in a chocolate icing. Can you say delicious!?!

Some regions of France serve a Three Kings Cake. This is supposed to be in honour of the three kings who play such a significant role in the Christmas story. This cake has a bean hidden inside it. Whoever is the lucky one to find the bean in their slice of cake is made King or Queen for a day.

Decorations

The Christmas tree, if displayed, is put up just a few days before Christmas. Nearly every home has a Nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, along with the three Kings, shepherds, and even other French figures, such as local dignitaries or characters.

Although mistletoe is hung above the door during the Christmas season, it is more related to the New Year. It is thought to bring good fortune throughout the coming year. You might be lucky and receive a kiss. The French kiss under the mistletoe and offer their best wishes for the coming year as they hear the bells toll signaling the start of the New Year.

Some families burn a log in their homes from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day in the belief that if they do, they will have an abundant harvest the following year.

These are just some fun facts about Christmas customs in another part of the world. We at GlobalChristmas.com wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

 

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The Story of Santa’s Helpers

We all know about Santa’s helpers today. They are the merry elves who work building the Jolly One’s toys for boys and girls around the globe. But did you know that these Christmas elves got their start in Scandinavia? If you didn’t know that, you’re in for one heck of a story.

This tale starts long ago in German folklore. These elves were pranksters that caused diseases and gave people nightmares. As the notion of elves spread across Europe, countries like Finland, Norway and Sweden believed every house in the neighborhood had tiny little elves, or gnomes, guarding them from evil spirits. These gnomes were generally very trustworthy and kind creatures, but beware if you ever mistreated one of them! These elves could act absolutely spiteful and teach you a lesson. Some stories indicate children in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark often gave the elves a bowel of porridge on Christmas Eve to stop their pranks.

When Christmas again became popular in Scandinavia in the middle of the 19th century, these gnomes got out of the house-protection business and found their way into Santa’s good graces. After all, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are a stones throw away from Santa’s home in the North Pole. In fact, the folks in Finland say that Santa and his elves even live in Lapland in the off season. People of Scandinavia began talking less about house gnomes and more about Santa’s elves. It is here that Elves transitioned into Santa’s helpers.

Some experts say that there are now 13 main elves that help Santa to make his toys, some say 6, and some take the middle road and say 9 elves help Santa at one time. While some of these elves help with the day to day duties in the toy shop, some other elves have very special jobs that Santa relies on. For instance, one elf is a well-known inventor who is credited with building Santa’s machines that construct many of the toys. Another elf is very handy with wood and tools, and built Santa’s sleigh. He continues to take care of it and does any necessary repairs to make sure Santa has no problems on Christmas Eve.

Another elf is Mrs. Claus’ personal helper, and also the head chef of the North Pole. She comes up with some of the cookie recipes and treats that we Christmas lovers enjoy every year. There are also the elves that are in charge of keeping the secret of where exactly Santa and his helpers live! These elves act like the mayor of the town, making sure the town stays clean and its streets are swept clear of the snow.

Last but not least, there is an elf that is personally in charge of the naughty and nice list. He is, perhaps, the most important elf of all. It is because of this elf and his list that Santa decides who has been naughty and who has been nice. So, this Christmas Eve, you may decide to leave a bowl of porridge sitting out beside Santa’s cookies and milk.

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About the Author:
Randy Stocklin is the co-owner of Mail from Santa Claus. Mail from Santa Claus offers memorable letters from Santa Claus that help keep the Christmas spirit alive. For more information about Mail from Santa Claus and to purchase letters from santa please visit http://www.mailfromsantaclaus.com/.

Article Resource: www.Articlebliss.com
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Santa Claus Around the World

Christmas is a worldwide phenomenon, and so is the holiday’s number one fan and symbol, Santa Claus. So it makes sense that because people all over the world celebrate Christmas differently, they also see Santa in different ways and have different traditions.

For instance, in France Christmas goes by the term Noel, and Santa goes by the name Pere Noel. Like the United States, the French who celebrate the holiday do so with a Christmas tree. Sometimes, the French decorate their trees in the traditional, which is with bright red ribbons and real candles, instead of the garland, electric lights, and fancy decorations used in the US. They also believe in decorating outside, especially the evergreen trees on their properties, which they cover with lights that they leave on all night long.

In Hungary, the Christmas tradition is a bit different than the French or American versions. In this Eastern European country, Santa Claus is called the “Winter Grandfather,” or Mikulas in their language. He comes not on Christmas Eve, but on December 6. It’s the job of children before this day to make sure that they are clean and that they have cleaned their rooms. For these good children, Winter Grandfather leaves candies and toys for them in freshly cleaned shoes or boots. For those children who don’t clean? They get a golden birch, which means they deserve a spanking! In Hungary it’s not Santa Claus (or Winter Grandfather), but Baby Jesus and the angels who brings presents and the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. To give him time to set them up, families usually go visit a relative’s house or go to the movies.

In Germany, the holidays are all about the decorations. They love putting electric candles in their lights, and covering their homes with all sorts of lights and colors. The German specialty decoration is the Adventskranz, which is actually a leaf wreath with four candles in it. And like many American homes, Germans like to decorate inside with a manger scene, the famous depiction of the stable, with Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, animals, and the Three Wise Men. Father Christmas brings children from Germany presents on Christmas Eve, while St. Nicholas brings small gifts on December 6.

Kids should consider moving to Latvia along the Baltic Sea for Christmas time. There, Father Christmas brings presents for all of the 12 days of Christmas, with the first day of gift giving coming on Christmas Eve. Latvia also claims to be the home of the first ever Christmas tree, documented in the year 1510. Then again, you might want to check the menu before visiting this country. The traditional meal on Christmas is brown peas with bacon sauce, sausage, cabbage, and small pies.

Here’s a meal that sounds delectable and Christmas will still be a blast – it’s in New Zealand. Since Christmas arrives in the middle of summer for New Zealand children, their Christmas dinners usually include foods on the BBQ, like ham, shrimp and fish. Many towns enjoy Christmas parades throughout the holiday season. Similar to children in America, families open Christmas presents from Santa Claus on Christmas Day. However, some people love Christmas so much, they also celebrate this Santa-driven holiday in the middle of July, when it is cold enough for a proper English Christmas dinner.

Wherever you are on the map, you can obviously enjoy Christmas in one way or another. And don’t worry. With his reindeer-powered sleigh, Santa will find you no matter where in the world you are living.

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About the Author:
Randy Stocklin is the co-owner of Mail from Santa Claus. Mail from Santa Claus offers memorable letters from Santa Claus that helps keep the Christmas spirit alive. For more information about Mail from Santa Claus and to purchase letters from Santa please visit www.mailfromsantaclaus.com/.

 

Article Resource: www.Articlebliss.com

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Christmas Eve Around the World

One holiday that is celebrated in many countries is Christmas Eve. It is celebrated in most Christian societies as part of the Christmas celebrations. It is an evening filled with anticipation and joy. In many cultures, a festive dinner is traditionally served for the family and close friends in attendance. In some parts of Eastern Europe such as Poland and Lithuania, a traditional meatless 12-dishes Christmas Eve Supper is served before opening gifts.

In Spain, La Nochebuena is known as the Good Night. At midnight, everybody hurries to Midnight Mass. The hours between mass and dawn are devoted to street dancing and singing. There is a large variety of food that is served, and each region has it’s own specialty. It is particularly common to start the meal with a seafood dish such as prawns or salmon, followed by a bowl of hot, homemade soup. For the main meal, there will commonly be  roast lamb, or seafood, such as cod or shellfish. For dessert, there is quite a spread of delicacies, among them are turrón, a dessert made of honey, egg and almonds that is Arabic in origin.

The Italian Christmas, as it is celebrated today, has two origins: the familiar Christian traditions blended with the pagan traditions of the Roman Empire. The great feast of that era was “Saturnalia,” celebrated from December 17 to 24 to honor Saturn, god of the harvest. Now, these dates coincide with part of the pre-Christmas celebrations of Advent. Consequently, Christmas markets, merry-making and torch processions, honor not only the birth of Jesus, but also the birth of the “Unconquered Sun.” Natale, the Italian word for Christmas, is the translation for “birthday.” It is customary for a family to create a handmade “presepe,” or Nativity scene, as elaborate as they can afford to make it. This model of a manager is an important part of an Italian Christmas celebration, as the manger scene originated in Italy. The family meets in front of this Nativity scene each morning of Novena (a nine-day period that begins on December 6th) to recite prayers. A “ceppo”, the Italian version of the Christmas tree is built. It resembles a ladder. The presepe is placed on the bottom shelf and gifts and decorations are placed on the other shelves. The children are sent throughout the neighborhood to recite Christmas poems. La Vigilia, or the Feast of Seven Fishes, starts with a Novena of devotional preparation and a 24-hour fast. The fast starts at sunset December 23rd and continues through to sunset December 24th. The food eaten after the fast is Capitoni (large eel), fish, fowl, and Cardoni, which is a dish of artichokes with eggs. There is also Panettone (current loaf), a cheese-filled pastry called Cannoli and Torrone (nougat). Also on Christmas Eve, the children of the family provide their parents with a letter written on decorative stationery with their promises to behave during the coming year.

Christmas Eve in Germany, or Heiligabend, is very much like Christmas Eve in the United States. On this day, the Germans trim the tree and sing Christmas carols. The parents or the mother decorates the tree secretly on Christmas Eve when the children are at church. The tree has real candles on it to symbolize the light of Christ. The candles are only lit on Christmas Eve making that night even more special. Usually, there is a display under the tree of the stable where Christ was born. Once the tree is decorated, a bell is rung and everyone may come to see it and open presents. Some families hide a pickle in their tree and the first person to find it gets to open the first present. Also on Christmas Eve, the children write letters to the Christ Child. They glue on an envelope and sprinkle sugar to catch the Christ Child’s eye when He passes by. The children put their letters on their windowsills. Then, they go to bed hoping for presents the next morning. A favorite meal is roast carp.

The activities that have become a part of Christmas Eve in France are the setting up of the crèche, or miniature nativity scene in the homes, and Christmas Mass, which is announced by the church bells at midnight. There, bells also joyously announce the birth of Christ. The midnight service is the most colorful of the year. After Midnight Mass, it is customary to hold family parties at which the Réveillon (late supper) is served. Some of the food served is oyster, blood sausage, pancakes (crepes), goose, white wine, and sweets. On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys have been hung on the tree.

In the United States, you will find a blend of many of these customs along with some variations and embellishments. In some households, it is a very traditional evening. The tree is trimmed and one gift is opened. The rest must wait for Christmas Day. There is lots of baking and cooking going on, in preparation for Christmas dinner on the next day. Children are sent to bed early with the caution that Santa Claus will not come if they are awake. Gifts are brought out of their hiding places, wrapped and placed under the tree. In other homes, people will attend Midnight Mass, followed by late suppers, or parties. Some people will quietly gather to read the Christmas story in Luke and sing carols while setting up the Nativity.

All, in all, it is a very festive time of the year. These are only a few of the many customs that are practiced in the world on this blessed night.