HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-12-20, Page 2444.
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Pale, Thr—. uciarw Senthiel, Wainasdsy, % nb. er 20, 1978
Christmas traditions in C
BY LEILA LECORPS
Much like Ancient Rome, Canada
forms an interesting ethnic, mosaic. The
Romans were very tolerant of the beliefs
and traditions of the peoples they
conquered, and even adopted some of
the gods and traditions as their own.
They left. everyone free to choose his
own gods and feast days.
Canada is a vast country which has
welcomed immigrants from alt over the
world. Christmas celebrations are
therefore as varied as the people them-
selves, as Canadians celebrate Christ
mas in the traditional ways of their
ancestors. •
In Quebec, for example, French
traditions are upheld. Preparation for
Christmas. begin weeks, sometimes
months, in .advance.
Mothers draw up lists of presents, so
that "baby Jesus" or Father Christmas
can fulfill everyone's fondest hopes. A
great deal of time is spent thinking
about the holiday season menus, since
Christmas i s a time of celebration and
joy, when,much visiting is done to
exchange ifts, and the celebrating
never stops. The house must also be
decorated, the Christmas tree trimmed,
and the miniature nativity scene or
creche set up, usually under the tree
which is loaded down with balls,
streamers, angel's hair and lights. A
star is usually placed at the top of the
tree as a symbol of the star which
guided the three Magi..
On Christmas Eve, French-Canadian
mothers serve carefully prepared sea-
food dinners and then put the finishing
' touches on the preparation for the
"reveillon", the feast . which follows
midnight mass. Guests arrive either
before or after midnight mass, which is
attended by the entire family and their
friends. If the children are too young
and are already asleep, they open their
gifts. under _the tree the ..following_
morning, but gifts are usually distribut-
ed after the family returns from
midnight mass. There are gifts for
young and old alike, and bugging, sur-
prises and good wishes abound.
The Christmas "reveillon" usually
begins at about 2 a.m. It is really a lively
reunion of family and friends, where the
delights of a heavily laden table are
enjoyed in good company. This Christ-
mas feast, like the New Year'sfeast to
follow, far surpasses any meal prepared
during the remainder of the year.
The menu usually includes aperitifs
and hors d'oeuvres, "tourtiere" (meat
pie), stuffed turkey or goose, vegetables
and a salad, with fruit cake or a "Yule
log" for dessert. Wine flows abundant-
ly.
After the meal, parlor games and
dancing prolong festivities till the wee
hours of the morning.
Celebrations by the Metis, descend-
ants of French and Indian mixed
marriages, evoke .memories of pioneer
days, and the buffalo still play an
important role in their feats.
December 24, Christmas Eve, ,marks
the beginning of a two-week period of
celebration, as it does for French-Can-
adians. Usually there are religious
ceremonies, but always huge family
reunions. The men fire their guns in the
meadows to signal the beginning of the
festivities. Gifts are exchanged around
the fire, and everyone wears his finest
attire, with moccasins and arrow -figur-
ed belts dominating.
Their traditional meal recalls the
Christmas of "coureurs de bois" long
ago. The main fare is wild game: the
choicest cuts of buffalo, deer and moose
are served with berries, potatoes and
The Autitermiting
The holiday season is a time for families and friends to reunite and
celebrate. Althoughthe times for families have changed. the traditional
homecoming is as much a part of .the festive season now. as it. ever
has been.
wild" rice. Many Indians were vegetar-
ians. •
After the meal, everyone sings, some -
play fiddles and others dance. The
celebrations are punctuated with winter
games, sleigh rides and horseback
riding.
. For Canadians of Italian origin,
family traditions are still strong,
whether they come from northern or
southern Italy.
Families from southern Italy enjoy a
special Christmas repast on Christmas
Eve, while families from northern Italy
wait until Christmas Day. Since Decem-
ber 24 is traditionally a day of fasting,
the menu does not include meat. Fish,
and especially eel, is served in its place.
Like ' the families of French origin,
everyone goes to midnight mass and
then returns home to celebrate.
Christmas+ Day, belongs to the
children. Presents are exchanged in the
morning. Although there are no Christ-
mas trees in southern Italy, families
living in Canada have adopted it as part
of the North American tradition.
Families from northern Italy serve
"pannetone", a type of raisin loaf
which is eaten as a treat during the day.
The Greeks have a similar tradition.
The children receive gifts on January
6; called "Befana" (the Epiphany).
According to Italian legend, good child-
ren are brought gifts not by the Magi,
Father Christmas or Saint Nick, but by
an old woman carrying . a bag on her
back. A piece of coal is supposedly left
for children who have not been good.
Families of German ancestry usually
celebrate Christmas by going to visit
their grandmothers, if, they are still
living. The -grandmother has a tree
decorated with so many goodies that it
reminds one of Hansel and Gretel, the
difference being that the grandmother
isn't trying to attract the children to eat
them. On the contrary, gifts have been
placed under the tree which is decorat-
ed with hand -made ornaments, marzi-
pan treats, chocolate and other candies,
just waiting to be picked.
.Christmas dinner usually , includes
goose, duck or roast" suckling pig,
served with sauerkraut and potato
dumplings.. Black Forest :cake, • raisin
bread and cookies baked especially for
the occasion are served for dessert.
Canadians of Dutch origin celebrate
Christmas in a quiet fashion, with a
dinner of Canadian fare. Gifts are
exchanged two weeks before "Christmas,
on December 6, the feast day of Saint
Nicholas, patron saint of school child-
ren.
ren. Indeed, "Santa Claus" is derived
from the Dutch name of Saint Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas also brings presents to
families of Polish and Ukrainian back-
ground on December 6.
In the Polish tradition, Christmas
celebrations begin when the first star
appears in the sky. The whole family
gathers around the table and shares
unleavened bread that has been blessed
by a priest. Best wishes are showered
on everyone present. Straw is placed
under the white tablecloth to remind
those present that Jesus was born in a
stable.
An extra place is always set at the
table so that any weary traveller who
stops at the house can be made
welcome. A picture or statuette of Jesus
is also placed on the table.
The Christmas dinner consists of 12
dishes, commemorating the twelve
Apostles.
Borsch, a beet soup, is served as the
first course. It is followed by jellied fish
and ' `pirogi" {potato and cheese or
cabbage croquettes). No meat is served.
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