Top 10 French Christmas traditions
As we all know Christmas is a Christian feast but throughout Europe, the rituals associated with the onset of winter go back to time immemorial. In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church decided to replace the pagan figures with saints in order to supplant the old pagan rites and feasts. Christmas is the Nativity Feast, commemorating Jesus Christ’s birth, on the night of 24th to 25th of December.
1. The Santa Claus legend.
“Saint Nicolas” designates Nicolas of Lyre, a man who lived in the 4th century in Turkey. According to legend, he resurrected three children murdered by a horrible butcher. From this, amongst other events of his life, he became the patron saint of children.
In 1821, the novel “A New-year’s present, to the little ones from five to twelve” was published in New York, influenced by the Dutch with their Sinter Klaas. The novel comprises a poem “Old Santeclaus” which describes an old man on a sleigh pulled by reindeer bringing gifts to children.
On the 23rd December 1823, the Sentinel newspaper in New York published the poem “A Visit from St Nicholas” in which one Saint Nicolas is represented as a friendly elf, plump and smiling, who distributes gifts to homes and moves on a flying sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. This poem has played a very important role in the making of the current myth. After the Sentinel newspaper in 1823, it was reused by several American newspapers over the next few years, and then translated into several languages and distributed around the world.
2. The Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree is a decoration used to highlight a Christianized pagan tradition by the Christian churches. It is often associated with Christmas gifts. In the Christian tradition, the Christmas tree should not be erected before Christmas Eve on the 24th of December, and must be removed after the twelve nights, for Epiphany.
3. The crib.
According to Luke’s Gospel, Jesus was born in a stable. The place where he was put is designated by the word manger. It comes from “Cripia” in Latin, for which we have now have the word “crib”.
Usually, a Jesus figure is placed in the middle of the crib at midnight on the 24th of December symbolizing his birth, surrounded by Mary and Joseph. The scene is normally removed for the epiphany. Since the creation of “Les Santons de Provence” (terracotta nativity figurines from Provence), the scene may include other people, such as characters from Provencal life..
It is common to put a star on top of the crib, which represents the one that guided the Magi to the manger. The three Magi are dressed in biblical clothes and may be accompanied by exotic animals.
It is also quite common for an angel to be among the characters of the scene.
4. Christmas Carols.
According to the Gospel, the first Christmas carols were angels’ ones. Very soon, the world began to sing to celebrate Christmas; the hymns filled the church to proclaim the Good News. In the villages, castles andcottages the inhabitants, rich and poor alike, sung to chase away the fears of winter nights.
Originally, the Christmas songs were punctuated by joyous rounds evoking the Nativity, but also featured nature and everyday life. Even today, song is still the most beautiful instrument to convey the spirit of Christmas.
5. Christmas gifts.
In France on Christmas Eve, children place a shoe or a pair of shoes at the foot of the Christmas tree. The gift was usually food (apples, oranges or sugar canes) before the onset of consumer society in the 19th Century. In Catholic families, gifts are brought by the Child Jesus. However, since the 20th Century in most homes, and following American custom, the legend told to children is that Father Christmas delivers presents. He enters by the chimney and leaves gifts which are placed in the shoes of the inhabitants of the house while they are sleeping. It is advisable to write a letter to Father Christmas, telling him what you want before Christmas Day.
6. The mistletoe and Holly tradition.
The tradition is that people kiss at midnight when they are under a sprig of mistletoe, a symbol of prosperity and long life at Christmas and on New Year’s Eve. Mistletoe is abundant in winter and has been collected since the Middle Ages to be offered with the wish: “To mistletoe, a new year”, replaced by “Year in, year out, this house is God” (either to be said in the home). In the 19th Century one said “Good and holy year, the Paradise at the end of your days”, which was modernized in the 20th Century into “Happy New Year”.
7. The Christmas dinner.
Traditionally, Christmas is an opportunity to get together with family for a meal. Foie gras, oysters, snails and smoked salmon are often on the menu for a Christmas dinner. Turkey with chestnuts is a traditional French Christmas Eve dish. For dessert, the famous Yule log is served.
In Provence, one finds the ritual of the 13 desserts symbolising the 12 apostles and Jesus. One serves the traditional bread in olive oil flavoured with citrus zest called “oil pump”, local sweets and pastries (such as the famous calissons of Aix), black and white nougat, candied, fresh and dried fruits.
In Alsace, pastry has been a must for centuries. Cakes of all shapes, “Christolles”, illustrate the themes and characters of Christmas (the new born, a star, a Christmas tree, a crescent moon, a cross, etc.). The “Mannele” is braided like pretzels. Since the 16th Century, gingerbread, fragrant with cinnamon, cardamom, almonds and honey has been offered on Christmas day.
The believers go to church to attend Midnight Mass. The 25th is a holiday but unlike other European countries, the French work on the 26th December.
8. Lights.
Candles, fairy lights, fireworks, lit up monuments; these images are part of the magic of Christmas. The period before Christmas for Christians is called Advent. An important symbol of this period is the candle. A candle was lit on the first Sunday and one more each Sunday in December until Christmas. Often attached to a crown, it is the symbol of the light which will be reborn on Christmas Eve. Whether they are candle or fairy lights, they are present everywhere during the holidays: in our homes and on our streets.
The Festival of Lights, also known as the Feast of the 8th of December or Illumination Feast, is a popular event held each year on or around December 8th , which is the traditional date of the event in Lyon.
9. Christmas Markets.
The Christmas market sells everything related to Christmas and is generally organized by the municipality during the month of December. There are small shops with decorative items, local produce and crafts, gifts and food (traditional mulled wine, cinnamon cakes etc). There are often Christmas lights and other activities (street entertainment and fireworks, Christmas music from choirs).
10. The importance of a good wine.
The mullet wine is served in bars and in Christmas markets. However, during the dinner, a very good wine is required. In France there is a large range of choice. Please do remember to drink responsibly this Christmas!