Italy has several Christmas traditions and customs. Here is a short guide to the widely used Christmas traditions and decorations in Italy.
St. Francis of Assisi came up with first cr?�che, or nativity scene, in 1223. Complete with live animals, it made the story of Jesus' birth sparkle. The custom of homes and churches erecting manger scenes during Christmas is practiced today. They create cr?�ches and competition is intense - everyone wants to offer the best scene. Families gather in the scenes daily during Novena for praying and lighting candles.
The Christmas season begins around December 8 - the initial Sunday of Advent and continues through Epiphany. Cannon fire through the Castle of St. Angelo signals the start of Holy Season. The Novena period will be the nine days prior to Christmas until after Feast of Epiphany.
The celebratory days are: the Feast of St. Michael on December 6, Celebration from the Immaculate Conception on December 8, St. Lucy's Day on December 13, St. Stephen's Day on December 26, New Year's Eve on December 31, New Year's Day on January 1, and the Feast in the Epiphany on January 6.
Shepherds, called zampognari, clothe themselves in customary costumes of leather leggings and sheepskin vests and visit cr?�ches and churches playing Christmas carols on bagpipes and other instruments. Children dress-up as shepherds and sing carols or chant poetry to obtain gifts of greenbacks.
Yule logs are noticed everywhere. Traditionally, these logs were lit and kept burning from Christmas to New Year's Day. Italians believed Mary visited homes with Yule logs in order to warm baby Jesus.
Most Italians fast on Christmas Eve then share a celebratory evening meal called cenone. This is a meatless meal featuring numerous fish dishes, with dried fruits and sweets for dessert. Some foods featured at Christmas time are: panettone (fruited cake), torrone (nougat candy), panforte (gingerbread or honey cake), almonds, assorted nuts, and honey.
Father Christmas, or Babbo Natale, just isn't as known as the legendary witch La Befana. According to legend, the Wise Men stopped at her house on the way to visit the Christ child, wanted directions, and then invited her to join them. She refused, pleading household chores, but later regretted her decision and tried to follow them. She travels from house to house, seeking the Holy Child and leaving presents for the children.
These are a few from the many splendid Christmas traditions observed in Italy. Popular Christmas traditions and decorations can be a part with the rich cultural heritage with this beautiful country.
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