Christmas Customs In Other Countries
NOTES FOR WOMEN
The culminating point of Christmas unity for the British Empire comes with the King’s broadcast on Christmas Day. For a few moments, as each one of the Empire’s millions listens to the King, he or she cannot help but be reminded of friends in far-off places who are also listening. The miles between fade away, and all seem to be brought together in a common bond.
Every country and every home has its own Christmas tradition. In America, people used to*hang a crown of holly in their window, with a candle which is lit at midnight, so that there should be a light for the Saviour to see by, and a crown awaiting Him. In Holland, on St. Nicholas Day, Santa Claus, who is supposed to have come from Spain accompanied by a blackamoor, visits all the little boys and girls, and gives them a present from the big sack he carries on his back. It is also said that little boys who have been naughty during the year might be taken away in the sack (a somewhat unseasonable and alarming thought!). An old Scottish custom is to light the Yule log with a stick kept from last year’s fire. People the whole world over have been told that on the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, all animals in stables kneel in homage.
In Gloucestershire, 12 small fires and one big fire are left burning at night on Christmas Eve. The big one represents Christ, and the small ones the 12 Apostles. In Norway, all silver and polished pewter in the house is arranged round the Christmas candles to receive benediction, while in Poland a wheat sheaf forms a major part of the Christmas decorations in peasants’ homes to denote their faith in the following year’s harvest. The Italians begin Christmas on St. Lucia’s Day, December 13, by giving presents and making miniature statues of the Madonna and Child with all the animals kneeling around the crib. On Christmas Eve these srpall figures are arranged in windows and illuminated with candles. In France, some children leave their shoes in the fireplace to be filled with gifts which they believe are delivered by the Infant Jesus. A few days beforehand they write letters in which they explain what they want for Christmas, and address the letters, “Little Jesus, Heaven.”
Christmas Customs In Other Countries
Otago Daily Times, Issue 26963, 24 December 1948, Page 2
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