Iran
IRAN, FORMERLY Persia, is the land where the three wise men are believed to have lived when Jesus was born.
Today, Christians in Iran begin fasting from animal products on December 1. This is called 'Little Fast'. 'Big Fast' occurs during Lent, the six weeks preceding Easter. After church service on December 25, they enjoy Christmas dinner, which they call 'Little Feast'.
A traditional dish is a chicken stew called harasa. Gifts are generally not exchanged, but children get new clothes, which they wear proudly on Christmas Day.
Iraq
On Christmas eve, Iraqi Christian families gather together and one of the children read about the birth of Jesus while other family members hold
lighted candles. After the reading, a bonfire of thorn bushes is lit and everyone sings. If the thorns burn to ashes, good luck will be granted for the coming year. When the fire dies, each person jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.
On Christmas Day, another bonfire is lit in the churchyard. The bishop, carrying a figure of the baby Jesus, leads the service. Afterwards, he blesses one person with a touch. That person touches the person next to him or her and the touch is passed around until all present have felt the 'touch of peace'.
Nicaragua
Like many Latin American countries, Nicaragua retains many of the customs of old Spain. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, people stroll the streets where there are many things to buy: candles, nativity pictures, toys and foods. Children carry fragrant bouquets to the altar of the Virgin Mary and sing carols. On Christmas eve, church bells beckon the people to midnight Mass.
On January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, it is the three wise men who brings gifts for the children. Often the holiday season concludes with a brilliant display of fireworks.
Venezuela
Venezuelans attend a daily early morning church service between December 16 and 24 called Misa de Aguinaldo ('Early Morning Mass').
In Caracas, the capital, it is customary to roller skate to this service and many neighbourhoods close the streets to cars until 8 a.m. Before bedtime children tie one end of a piece of string to their big toe and hang the other out the window. The next morning, roller skaters give a tug to any string they see
hanging. After Mass everyone enjoys tostados and coffee.
France
Nearly every French home at Christmas time, displays a Nativity scene or crèche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or
'little saints'. An extensive tradition has evolved around these
little figures, which are made by craftsmen in the south of France throughout the year.
In addition to the usual holy family (shepherds and Magi),
the craftsmen also produce
figures in the form of local
dignitaries and characters. The craftsmanship involved in
creating the gaily coloured santons is quite astounding and the molds have been passed from generation to generation since the 17th century.
ANNUAL FAIRS
Throughout December, the
figures are sold at annual Christmas fairs in Marseille and Aix. The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a
traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the beche de Nol, which means 'Christmas Log'.
The cake, among other food in great abundance, is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le reveillon. Le reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight Mass on Christmas eve. The menu for the meal varies according to regional culinary tradition.
In Alsace, goose is the main course; in Burgundy, it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras.
French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard. Pre Fouettard reminds Pere Noel of just how each child has behaved during the past year.
LE PETIT JESUS
In some parts of France Pere Noel brings small gifts on St. Nicholas eve (December 6) and visits again on Christmas. In other places, it is le petit Jesus who brings the gifts. Generally adults wait until New Year's
Day to exchange gifts.
Italy
The popularity of the Nativity scene, one of the most beloved and enduring symbols of the
holiday season, originated in Italy. St. Francis of Assisi
asked a man named Giovanni Vellita of the village of
Greccio to create a manger scene. St. Francis performed Mass in front of this early Nativity scene, which inspired awe and devotion in all who saw it.
The creation of the figures or pastori became an entire genre of folk art. In Rome, cannon are fired from Castel St. Angelo of Christmas Eve to announce the beginning of the holiday season. A 24-hour fast ends with an elaborate Christmas feast. Small presents are drawn from the Urn of Fate. The main exchange of gifts takes place on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, the celebration in remembrance of the Magi's visit to the Christ Child.
Children anxiously await a visit from La Befana who brings gifts for the good and punishment for the bad. According to legend, the three wise men stopped during their journey and asked an old woman for food and shelter. She refused them and they continued on their way. Within a few hours the woman had a change of heart but the Magi were long gone. La Befana, which means Epiphany, still wonders the earth searching for the Christ Child. She is depicted in various ways: as a fairy queen, a crone, or a witch.
