The children of many Italian families write their letters to St. Nicolas on December 6th asking for gifts and they hang up a sock or put a plate on a table on Nicolas Eve. Sometimes a St. Nicholas will visit the children's home, and they will then sing a carol or recite a poem.
Christmas celebrations start 8 days before Christmas with special 'Novenas' or a series of prayers and church services.
Some families burn a 'Ceppo' or yule log throughout the season and Christmas trees and are put up and homes are decorated.
Nativity Cribs play a very important part of their Christmas holidays. In 1222, St Francis of Assisi had been to Bethlehem and visited the place where they thought the baby Jesus had been born. The next year and back in Italy, he used a crib to tell the Christmas story which made it popular.
Naples Italy became world famous for making its cribs at some point after that. They are known as 'Presepe Napolitano' meaning Neapolitan Cribs. But even though St. Francis of Assisi had made using the cribs popular, the use of them is really thought to have gone back to the year 1025, in the Church of St. Maria del presepe (Saint Mary of the Crib).Up until the 16th century, only churches and monasteries had cribs in them, after which they began to appear in the homes as well. They are traditionally put up December 8th but the figure of baby Jesus is not added until the evening of December 24th.
Nativity Scenes with straw originally was actually used in Italy and is now commonly used in many countries around the world.
One custom that Italian children participate in is to go out singing carols and playing songs on shepherds pipes, wearing shepherds sandals and hats.
In some families, on Christmas Eve a light meal of seafood, containing no meat or dairy is usually eaten before people go to Midnight Mass. Or in other families, no meal is eaten at all during the day as it is considered a day to fast.
Much more about Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and other traditions can be known about by visiting Christmas in Italy -- Christmas Around the World -- whychristmas?com and
Christmas in Italy for Kids: Christmas Traditions and Celebrations should you be interested.
I myself found some of them quite interesting as we do have similar customs here in the USA. So be sure to visit them if you want to learn more.
Today's answer to the three French hens of 'The Twelve Days of Christma"?
It is St John and friends.
Ummm. What has John and his friends got to do with 3 french hens? Maybe we will find out later in the season?
Tomorrows' question is 4 colly birds and what is their meaning? We will find out tomorrow friends. Until then thanks for coming and I hope you will be back then to learn the answer! Be blessed!
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