Nearly
every French home during Christmas displays a crèche or, in English a
nativity scene, which serves as a focus for the Christmas celebration. As
early as the 17th century, the forerunners of the domestic
crèche began to appear in the form homemade decorated glass called
grottoes or rockeries. These were mainly found in upper and middle class
homes. Neapolitan crèches enjoy great success in France. Celebration
Unlike some countries gifts are
given out on the 6th of December. That is called Saint Nicholas
Day. Christmas has turned out to be one of the main religious festivals in
France. The procession of the Christ child and the visit to the crèche
were essential elements of the traditions surrounding this great
celebration. In France, although Easter remained the major religious
festival, the festivities connected with Christmas grew, as the many
carols and church or family creches demonstrate.
In the Middle Ages, French carols were
dances accompanied by singing. Also the "carol" was a kind of
round dance. In time the "carol" changed its meaning, referring to
only to certain kinds of songs. A number of currently popular American
Christmas carols came directly from France.
Christmas is usually celebrated with all
of the family coming together on Christmas Eve. Children in France put
their sabots (shoes) in front of the fireplace where they hope Pere Noel,
Father Christmas, will fill them with presents.
Pere Noels French partner is Pere
Fouettard, father spanker, and he will "reward" bad children
with a spanking.
Food
The midnight service on
Christmas Eve is traditionally followed by a meal called "Le
Reveillion". Reveillion means to wake up or the first call of the
day. Sidewalk cafes and restaurants are open all night serving "Le
Reveillion". The meal can consist of oysters, sausages, wines, baked
ham, roast fowl, salads, fruit and pasta.
Decoration
Throughout France, one of the ways of decorating
a house is by using many types of flowers. They put these flowers around the
house in bunches or by themselves. One of the most common places for flowers is
the table.
This is the way French people celebrate
Christmas.
By ROBERT AND KIERON
