ctivnan
12/18/07, 08:23 AM
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Many of our Christmas traditions started in Europe. ...
In Finland, which is said to be the real home of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree is set up on Christmas eve; then decorated with apples and other fruits, candies, paper flags, cotton, and tinsel, and lit up with candles.
In Belgium, there are two Santa Claus figures - St. Nicholas and Pere Noel. St. Nicholas visits those who speak Walloon language, while Pere Noel visits those who speak French.
In France, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning, they find not only their shoes packed with goodies, but also sweets, nuts, and small toys hung from the tree.
In the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas is called Svaty Mikalas and is believed to climb to earth from heaven on a golden rope with his companions - an angel and a whip carrying devil. Czechs eat soup made out of cod roe and regale each other with tales of a mythical golden pig.
In Germany, beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies are symbols of Christmas. Trees are decorated with Christbaungebak, a white sour dough molded in shapes and baked for tree decorations.
In Spain, the nativity set can be found in many homes while tiny oil lamps are lit in every house on Christmas day. After the midnight mass, dancers fill the street and perform the special Christmas dance called the jota.
In Italy, the Christmas season goes on for three weeks starting eight days before Christmas, when they have the novena. During this period, children go to houses singing and reciting Christmas poems. Italians fast for 24 hours before Christmas Eve followed by a celebration meal featuring a Milanese cake called the panetonne.
In Sweden, Christmas begins with the Sta. Lucia ceremony. Before dawn on the morning of Dec. 31, the youngest daughter in the family puts on a white robe with a red sash. She wears a crown of evergreen with tall lighted candles attached to it. She wakes her parents and serves them coffee and Lucia hats. Other kids join her - the boys are dressed as Star Boys with long white shits and pointed hats.
In the Netherlands, Sinterkaas Avood or St. Nicholas Eve is eagerly awaited on Dec. 5. Sinterklaas or Santa Claus is known for his generosity and kindness.
In Portugal, children await the coming of the Three Wise Men on Jan. 5. They place their shoes on the windowsills and doorways, filling these with carrots and straw. They do this hoping to draw in the Wise Men's camels and find their shoes packed with gifts and treats like candied fruit and sweet breads in the morning.
from Manila Bulletin, Dec. 2, 2007
Many of our Christmas traditions started in Europe. ...
In Finland, which is said to be the real home of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree is set up on Christmas eve; then decorated with apples and other fruits, candies, paper flags, cotton, and tinsel, and lit up with candles.
In Belgium, there are two Santa Claus figures - St. Nicholas and Pere Noel. St. Nicholas visits those who speak Walloon language, while Pere Noel visits those who speak French.
In France, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. In the morning, they find not only their shoes packed with goodies, but also sweets, nuts, and small toys hung from the tree.
In the Czech Republic, St. Nicholas is called Svaty Mikalas and is believed to climb to earth from heaven on a golden rope with his companions - an angel and a whip carrying devil. Czechs eat soup made out of cod roe and regale each other with tales of a mythical golden pig.
In Germany, beautiful gingerbread houses and cookies are symbols of Christmas. Trees are decorated with Christbaungebak, a white sour dough molded in shapes and baked for tree decorations.
In Spain, the nativity set can be found in many homes while tiny oil lamps are lit in every house on Christmas day. After the midnight mass, dancers fill the street and perform the special Christmas dance called the jota.
In Italy, the Christmas season goes on for three weeks starting eight days before Christmas, when they have the novena. During this period, children go to houses singing and reciting Christmas poems. Italians fast for 24 hours before Christmas Eve followed by a celebration meal featuring a Milanese cake called the panetonne.
In Sweden, Christmas begins with the Sta. Lucia ceremony. Before dawn on the morning of Dec. 31, the youngest daughter in the family puts on a white robe with a red sash. She wears a crown of evergreen with tall lighted candles attached to it. She wakes her parents and serves them coffee and Lucia hats. Other kids join her - the boys are dressed as Star Boys with long white shits and pointed hats.
In the Netherlands, Sinterkaas Avood or St. Nicholas Eve is eagerly awaited on Dec. 5. Sinterklaas or Santa Claus is known for his generosity and kindness.
In Portugal, children await the coming of the Three Wise Men on Jan. 5. They place their shoes on the windowsills and doorways, filling these with carrots and straw. They do this hoping to draw in the Wise Men's camels and find their shoes packed with gifts and treats like candied fruit and sweet breads in the morning.
from Manila Bulletin, Dec. 2, 2007