The Everything Family Christmas Book (53 page)

Finland

Christmas in Finland encompasses most of the Scandinavian traditions already described, with some unique Finnish customs added for good measure. The period of Advent is known as Little Christmas, and is a time of preparation and celebration. Gingerbread is a favorite treat, as is
glögli,
a drink of red wine and spices. Another custom is visiting the steam baths before Christmas Eve, presumably to get squeaky clean for the holiday.

Greece

In the Greek tradition, Christmas is not as important a holiday as Easter, so the celebration is on a smaller scale than some might expect. December 6 marks St. Nicholas’s Day, but emphasizes his role as the patron saint of sailors; December is a time of rough seas around Greece, so prayers are for safety rather than gifts.

Christmas itself is celebrated merrily, however: Children wander the streets singing carols and playing little drums or triangles and are rewarded with candy, nuts, or money. There are no Christmas trees, however, and gift giving is reserved for St. Basil’s Day (January 1). Featured within the Christmas meal is the
Christopsomo,
or Christ Bread. The bread is usually decorated with a symbol indicating the family’s occupation. Because the Greek Church is an Eastern church, it celebrates Christ’s birth on January 6, which is also when the Blessing of the Water takes place. In this ceremony, a priest dips a crucifix in a lake, river, or stream. The water, called Baptismal Water, is now considered holy and is used by the faithful for its healing powers. This Blessing of the Water is also done in Syrian and Coptic churches, as well as in some parts of Russia and the United States.

Russia

Many of the Russian Christmas customs date back to prerevolutionary Russia, when Christianity flourished. Father Frost was a staple of the old tradition, and presents were brought by Babushka, Russia’s version of the old woman who was supposed to have declined to join the Wise Men. There was also a girl dressed in white called Kolyada, who would visit houses, singing carols and giving treats. Some communities engaged in the Blessing of the Water; sometimes a priest would go through the village with this water to bless the houses.

Christmas returned to Russia in the early 1990s, and many of the older traditions did, too. These include several weeks of fasting—avoiding meat—until after church services on Christmas Eve (which, according to the Julian calendar, is January 6). Christmas Eve dinner often includes
kutya,
a porridge made of wheat berries, honey, and poppy seeds, symbolizing hope and happiness.

Poland

During the Christmas season, the letters “C,” “M,” and “B” are the most important in Poland. Representing the initials of the Three Wise Men (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), the letters are painted on the doors of homes along with three crosses, in hopes of ensuring a good year.

Lucky children in Poland receive gifts twice during the Christmas season. St. Nicholas brings the first round on St. Nicholas’s Day; the Star Man, accompanied by Star Boys, brings the second round on Christmas Eve.

The Star of Bethlehem is very important to the Poles. On Christmas Eve, after the first star has appeared in the sky, the head of the household breaks a wafer, called
oplatek,
and shares it with every person in the house. These wafers, which bear images of the Nativity, have been blessed by a priest.

Wigilia,
the Christmas Eve meal, has thirteen courses—one for Jesus and each of the Apostles. Hay is placed under the tablecloth in some homes, as a reminder that Christ was born in a manger. The midnight Mass in Poland is called
Pasterka,
the Mass of the Shepherds. It is believed that on this night the animals bow in reverence and receive the power to speak.

The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic sets aside both December 25 and 26 for Christmas, which are known as First and Second Christmas. The season opens with Svatej Nikulus (St. Nicholas’s) Day on December 6 and ends with the visit of the Tri Kralu (Three Kings) on January 6. Svatej Nikulus has a bag of goodies for nice children; his companion for the trip is the devil, who carries switches for the bad ones.

The manger scene, or
Jeslicky,
is a must in churches and homes. There are Christmas trees, which are lit Christmas Eve. Dinner consists of carp, pudding, and fruit stew, and a seat at dinner is left empty for the Christ Child. Later, Pasterka (midnight Mass) will be attended.

Christmas in Central America and the West Indies

Christmas in Central America and the West Indies is characterized not by snow and sleigh bells, but warm weather and bright flowers. For the most part, the countries in this area follow the traditions of the midnight Mass and Nativity scenes.

Midnight Mass in many Spanish-speaking countries is known as
Miso de Gallo,
or mass of the rooster, because it’s believed that the only time the rooster ever crowed at midnight was to mark the birth of Jesus. It’s fitting, since the rooster’s crow can also symbolize the birth of the day after the night.

On Christmas Eve, there are often processions with people wearing costumes and carrying the manger. Large festive meals are eaten on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. On Christmas Day, there are picnics, bullfights, and other good times. A small number of Christmas trees are imported from the United States, and Santa is seen on occasion, but not to bring gifts. Gifts are generally put in children’s shoes by the Three Kings or the Christ Child on January 6th.

Mexico

The Christmas season in Mexico begins on December 16, the first day of
posadas. Posada
is the Mexican word for a tradition popular in many Spanish-speaking countries: the commemoration of the Holy Family’s pilgrimage. Posadas take place over a period of nine days before Christmas and entail the faithful acting out Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. People travel to one another’s homes, taking on the roles of pilgrims or innkeepers, with the ritual culminating in celebration and prayer around the family altar, on which is placed a crèche.

The houses are decorated with Spanish moss, evergreens, and paper lanterns. Also present are “The Flowers of the Holy Night,” or poinsettias. After the religious portion of the posada is over, there is much merriment, with food, fireworks, and piñatas. The final, and most important, posada takes place on Christmas Eve. The Baby Jesus is placed in the cradle amid prayer and song. Afterward, everyone attends midnight Mass.

Honduras

Hondurans have their own version of posadas. For nine days before Christmas, the faithful act out Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. One house in the village is chosen to be the place of shelter, where people go to sing and pray. Tamales are served, dances and fireworks displays are held, and people visit each other’s crèches.

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the Nativity scene is given its own room, not just a spot in a corner or on a table. In accordance with the climate, the decorations consist of brilliantly colored flowers and wreaths of cypress leaves and red coffee berries. Children put out their shoes for the Christ Child to fill, as their parents did, but Santa is beginning to show up more and more.

Nicaragua

By late November, festivities have started in Nicaragua. Children gather in the streets with bouquets to honor the Virgin Mary with song. This portion of the holiday ends on December 8, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On December 16, the Novena to the Holy Child begins; another kind of posada, it concludes on Christmas Eve at midnight Mass. Children receive gifts from the Three Kings on January 6.

Panama

Schoolchildren in Panama engage in pre-Christmas activities much like the ones enjoyed by American children. Decorations and cards are made, gifts are exchanged, and there are plays. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebrated, with the meal including chicken with rice and tamales. Once again, children receive gifts on Epiphany, King’s Day.

Puerto Rico

Understandably, there is a large American influence on the Puerto Rican Christmas, which features a mixture of Spanish and American traditions. Puerto Ricans have Santa Claus and a tree, but receive gifts on both Christmas and Epiphany. A fun pre-Christmas tradition is
Asalto,
in which a band of people appear on someone’s lawn to shout, sing carols, and plead for goodies. The owner usually opens up his or her house to them; after a small party, the group moves on to another house. Generally, Christmas in Puerto Rico lasts from early December to Las Octavitas, which is eight days after Epiphany.

Christmas in South America

The celebration of Christmas in South America is similar to that in Central America because of the warm climate and the religious aspects of the holiday. As with most countries of Hispanic origin, children receive gifts on Epiphany rather than Christmas; the
nacimiento
(crèche) and midnight Mass are essential, but posadas are not as popular as in other areas.

Chile

Christmas in Chile is observed in accordance with most of the region, including the midnight Mass of the Rooster, but the gift giver here is known as Viejo Pascuero, or Old Man Christmas. Oddly enough, he has reindeer, but of course, with a significant lack of big chimneys, he’s forced to enter houses through windows instead. A notable part of the Christmas meal is
pan de pasqua,
a bread that contains candied fruit.

Peru

Markets become very busy in the days before Christmas, offering both gift items and decorations for the Nativity scenes, or nacimiento, that many families have. This is a time of song and music, although the Christmas Eve service is, as always, much quieter in nature. Children often receive gifts both on Christmas Day (as Santa becomes a more popular figure) and on January 6, which is the Feast of the Three Kings.

Colombia

Much of the Christmas season in Colombia begins in earnest nine days before Christmas Day, when the Novena, a prayer ritual, begins. The
pesebre,
or Nativity scene, is also important, with Jesus generally making his appearance on Christmas Eve. Colombia is one of the rare Hispanic countries in which children receive gifts brought by the Christ Child on Christmas Eve, not Epiphany.

Venezuela

An interesting tradition in Venezuela is “The Standing Up of the Christ Child,” or
La Paradura del Niño.
According to the rules, the figurine of the Child must be stood up on New Year’s Day to indicate his maturity. Any Child found lying down in its manger at that time is likely to be “kidnapped” and kept in a special place of honor until the ransom is paid. Ransom is a
paradura
party. But before the party can begin, “godparents” must be chosen; later, they lead a procession to where the Child is kept. After the godparents return the figurine to the manger setting and stand it up, children offer gifts and there is much food and dancing.

Brazil

Brazil has incorporated some American ideas for Christmas, including a Santa equivalent called Papa Noël, lighted Christmas trees, and similar gift-giving traditions. The manger, or
pesebre,
is still very important, however. On Christmas Eve, a meal is laid out before the household attends midnight Mass, so that the Holy Family may eat if they wish. Children put out shoes for Papa Noël to fill. Because of the warm climate, Christmas Day is often filled with picnics and sport.