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Puerto
Rico
Early in the Christmas season, carolers begin going from house
to house and from farm to farm. They wear homemade costumes of what the Magi might have
worn and sing bright Spanish carols called aquinaldos and villancicos. They are rewarded
with food and drink, and many from each house will join them, so that eventually there are
great crowds going singing from place to place. Nine days before Christmas, the Mass of
the Carols begins. This takes place each morning at 5:30 a.m. It is filled with music and
usually the caroling continues on the way to work or home. The manger scenes are peopled
with santos, hand-carved figures, that represent some oldest works of art. The tree and
Santa Claus are also popular. Gifts arrive Christmas morning, but also on the Epiphany. On
January 5 in the evening, children leave water, grass and grain under their beds for the
camels of the Wise Men and the next day find presents in their place.
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Romania
The tradition in Romania is for children to travel from house to house singing carols and
reciting poetry and legends throughout the Christmas season. The leader carries a large
wooden star called a steaua, which is covered with shiny paper and decorated with bells
and colored ribbon. A picture of the Holy Family is pasted in the star's center, and the
entire creation is attached to a broomstick or stout pole.
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Russia
St. Nicholas is especially popular in Russia. The legend is that the 11th-century Prince
Vladimir traveled to Constantinople to be baptized, and returned with stories of miracles
performed by St. Nicholas of Myra. Since then many Eastern Orthodox Churches have been
named for the saint, and to this day, Nicholas is one of the most common names for Russian
boys. The feast of St. Nicholas (December 6) was observed for many centuries, but after
the communist revolution, the celebration of the feast was suppressed. During the
communist years St. Nicholas was transformed into Grandfather Frost. Other religious
traditions were suppressed during the communist era. Before the revolution, a figure
called Babouschka would bring gifts for the children. Like Italy's La Befana, the story is
that Babouschka failed to give food and shelter to the three wise men during their journey
to visit the Christ Child. According to tradition, she still roams the countryside
searching for the Christ Child and visiting the homes of children during the Christmas
season. Babouschka never completely disappeared, and now in the post-communist era, has
returned openly. Christmas trees were also banned by the Communist regime, but people
continued to trim their "New Year's" trees. Most Christian Russians belong to
the Eastern Orthodox Church, and it is customary to fast until after the first church
service on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive. The most important
ingredient is a special porridge called kutya. It is made of wheatberries or other grains
which symbolize hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness,
success, and untroubled rest. A ceremony involving the blessing of the home is frequently
observed. A priest visits the home accompanied by boys carrying vessels of holy water, and
a little water is sprinkled in each room. The kutya is eaten from a common dish to
symbolize unity.
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Scotland
The Scots celebrate Christmas rather somberly and reserve their merriment for New Year's
Eve which is called Hogmanay. This word may derive from a kind of oat cake that was
traditionally given to children on New Year's Eve. The first person to set foot in a
residence in a New Year is thought to profoundly affect the fortunes of the inhabitants.
Generally strangers are thought to bring good luck. Depending on the area, it may be
better to have a dark-haired or fair-haired stranger set foot in the house. This tradition
is widely known as "first footing." It is bad luck to let the fire go out on
Christmas Eve, since that is the time when the elves are abroad and only a roaring fire
will keep them from slipping down the chimney. On Christmas Day itself, it is not unusual
to have a bonfire and dance to the sound of bagpipes before settling down to a hearty
dinner.
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Spain
Christmas is a deeply religious holiday in Spain. The country's patron saint is the Virgin
Mary and the Christmas season officially begins December 8, the feast of the Immaculate
Conception. It is celebrated each year in front of the great Gothic cathedral in Seville
with a ceremony called los Seises or the "dance of six." Oddly, the elaborate
ritual dance is now performed by not six but ten elaborately costumed boys. It is a series
of precise movements and gestures and is said to be quite moving and beautiful. Christmas
Eve is known as Nochebuena or "the Good Night." There is singing and dancing in
the streets to the sounds of guitars and castanets. At midnight everyone attends the Misa
del Gallo, the Mass of the Rooster, so named because of the legend that the only time the
rooster has crowed at midnight was the night when Jesus was born. After mass the dinner,
or cena, is served, usually featuring turkey and the Christmas favorite turron, a candy
loaf of roasted almonds in caramel sauce. It is a time for family members to gather
together to rejoice and feast around the Nativity scenes that are present in nearly every
home. December 28 is the feast of the Holy Innocents. Young boys of a town or village
light bonfires and one of them acts as the mayor who orders townspeople to perform civic
chores such as sweeping the streets. Refusal to comply results in fines which are used to
pay for the celebration. As in many European countries, the children of Spain receive
gifts on the feast of the Epiphany. The Magi are particularly revered in Spain. It is
believed that they travel through the countryside reenacting their journey to Bethlehem
every year at this time. Children leave their shoes on the windowsills and fill them with
straw, carrots, and barley for the horses of the Wise Men. Their favorite is Balthazar who
rides a donkey and is the one believed to leave the gifts.
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Sweden
A thousand years ago in Sweden, King Canute declared that Christmas would last a month,
from December 13, the feast of St. Lucia until January 13, or Tjugondag Knut (St. Canute's
Day). Some say she once visited the country, and others believe missionaries brought
stories of her life which entranced the Swedish people. Her story is that in the days of
early Christian persecution, Lucia carried food to Christians hiding in dark underground
tunnels. To light the way she wore a wreath of candles on her head. Eventually Lucia was
arrested and martyred. On her feast day the eldest daughter in each family dresses in a
white dress with a red sash, and wears an evergreen wreath with seven lighted candles on
her head. She (very carefully) carries coffee and buns to each family member in his or her
room and the younger children often wear a conelike hat with a star on top and accompany
her. Many schools, offices, and communities sponsor Lucia processions in which carol are
sung and everyone thanks the Queen of Light for bringing hope during the darkest time of
the year. Before the midday meal on Christmas Eve, the family gathers in the kitchen for a
custom called doppa I grytan, "dipping in the kettle." All gather round a pot
filled drippings of pork, sausage and corned beef and dip dark bread into it, which they
eat when it is completely soaked with the drippings. The traditional Christmas Eve dinner
would start off with a smorgasbord with a sip of akvavit; then lutfisk, a sun-dried cod
served in cream sauce, and ham; finally rice pudding with an almond in it. After dinner
all gather around the Christmas tree to open the presents. These gifts were brought by the
Jultomen, a gnome who lives in the barn, if there is one. He has to have his portion of
rice pudding if he is to behave in the coming year. On Christmas Day there is a service a
5:00 a.m. After that the day is devoted to rest and to religious observance.
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Switzerland
In terms of its traditions, Switzerland is basically four different countries. There are
German, French and Italian areas. Gifts may be given either on Christmas Eve or New Year's
Day, and they are brought by the Christkindli or St. Nicholas or even Father Christmas
with his wife Lucy. Both the manger and the Christmas tree hold sway. Carols drift on the
air in four languages. Switzerland has maintained its careful neutrality by absorbing the
best of all nations.
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Sryia
On Christmas Eve, the pouter gates of the homes of Syrian Christians are locked as a
reminder of the years of persecution when all worship had to be hidden.The whole family
gathers in the courtyard with lighted candles, around a pile of wood that will become a
bonfire. The youngest son reads the Gospel story of the Nativity and the father lights the
fire. All observe the particular way that the fire spreads through the wood as it will
determine the luck of the household for the coming year. All sing psalms while the fire
burns and when it dies down they make a wish and jump over the embers. Early on Christmas
morning, there is a mass before dawn, and there is a bonfire in the center of the church
as well. The image of the Christ Child is carried around the church in a joyous
procession. Syrian children receive their gifts at Epiphany from a very original source,
the Smallest Camel of the Wise Men. On their way to see Jesus, the Wise Men traveled in a
caravan with many camels. The smallest was exhausted by the long journey but refused to
give up, his desire to see the Christ Child was so great. When the infant Jesus saw the
faith and resolve of this loving creature, he blessed it with renewed strength and
immortality. Every year he comes bearing presents for the good girls and boys, who learn
the importance of even the most insignificant of us from his example.
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Venezuela
Venezuelans attend a daily early morning church service between December 16th and 24th
alled Misa de Aguinaldo ("Early Morning Mass.") In Caracas, the capital city, it
is customary to roller-skate to this service and many neighborhoods close the streets to
cars until 8 a.m. Before bedtime children tie one end of a piece of string to their big
tow and hang the other out the window. The next morning, rollerskaters give a tug to any
string they see handing. After Mass everyone enjoys tostados and coffee.
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Wales
Caroling is particularly popular in Wales where it is called eisteddfodde and is often
accompanied by a harp. In some rural areas a villager is chosen to be the Mari llwyd. This
person travels around the town draped in white and carrying a horse's skull on a long
pole. Anyone given the "bite" by the horse's jaws must pay a fine.
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