JOYEUX NOEL! FRENCH CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
In France, Christmas is a time for family and for generosity, marked by family
reunions, gifts and candy for children, gifts for the poor, Midnight Mass, and
le Réveillon.
The celebration of Christmas in France varies by region. Most provinces celebrate
Christmas on the 25th of December, which is a bank holiday. However, in eastern
and northern France, the Christmas season begins on December 6th, la fête de Saint
Nicolas, and in some provinces la fête des Rois (in most countries, Epiphany (la
fête des Rois) is the 6th of January, whereas in some places in France it is celebrated
the first Sunday after the 1st of January) is one the most important holidays
of the Christmas season. In Lyon, December 8th is la Fête de lumières, when Lyonnais
pay homage to the virgin Mary by putting candles in their windows which light
up the village.
FRENCH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
French children put their shoes in front of the fireplace, in the hopes that Père
Noël (a.k.a Papa Noël) will fill them with gifts. Candy, fruit, nuts, and small
toys will also be hung on the tree overnight. There's also Père Fouettard who
gives out spankings to bad children (sort of the equivalent of Santa Claus giving
coal to the naughty.)
In 1962, a law was passed decreeing that all letters written to Santa would be
responded to with a postcard. When a class writes a letter, each student gets
a response.
LE REVEILLON
Although fewer and fewer French attend la Messe de Minuit on Christmas Eve, it
is still an important part of Christmas for many families. It is followed by a
huge feast, called le Réveillon (from the verb réveiller, to wake up or revive.)
Le Réveillon is a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ's birth and is the
culinary high point of the season, which may be enjoyed at home or in a restaurant
or café that is open all night. Each region in France has its own traditional
Christmas menu, with dishes like turkey, capon, goose, chicken, and boudin blanc
(similar to white pudding.)
Throughout the French Christmas season, there are special traditional desserts:
- La bûche de Noël (Yule log) - A log-shaped cake made of chocolate and chestnuts.
Representative of the special wood log burned from Christmas Eve to New Year's
Day in the Périgord, which is a holdover from a pagan Gaul celebration. "
- Le pain calendeau (in southern France) - Christmas loaf, part of which is given
to a poor person.
- La Galette des Rois (on Epiphany) - round cake which is cut into pieces and
distributed by a child, known as le petit roi or l'enfant soleil, hiding under
the table. Whoever finds la fève - the charm hidden inside - is King or Queen
and can choose a partner.
FRENCH CHRISTMAS DECORATIONSS
The sapin de Noël is the main decoration in homes, streets, shops, offices, and
factories. The sapin de Noël appeared in Alsace in the 14th century at a time,
decorated with apples, paper flowers, and ribbons, and was introduced in France
in 1837.
Another important aspect of French Christmas celebrations is the crèche filled
with santons, which is displayed in churches and many homes. Living crèches in
the form of plays and puppet shows based on the Nativity are commonly performed
to teach the important ideas of Christianity and the Christmas celebration.
Mistletoe is hung above the door during the Christmas season to bring good fortune
throughout the year. After the Réveillon, it's customary to leave a candle burning
in case the Virgin Mary passes by.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT HABITE!
