Christmas in Italy. Traditions Italian traditions in Italy are based heavily on the religion of Christianity.

Christmas in ItalyChristmas in Italy

TraditionsItalian traditions

in Italyare based heavily onthe religion of Christianity.

Christmas starts eight days beforeChristmas and lasts till after the Feast of Epiphany. Musical salutes are made at the shrine ofthe Virgin Mary and songs are played at the homes of carpenters in honor of St. Joseph.

Eight days before Christmas,a special Novena of prayers andChurch services begin. It all ends on Christmas Day.

On December 23rd ,sometimes earlier, children dressed as shepherds with sandals, leggings tied withCrossing thongs, and wearingshepherds’ hats, go from houseto house playing songs on shepherds’ pipes and giving recitations. In cities like Rome real shepherds sometimes carryout the performance.

A strict fast is observed 24 hoursbefore Christmas after which a mealwith many dishes (but no meat) is served.

The traditional Christmas dinner, Cenone, is made up of spaghetti and anchovies, anassortment of fish, fresh broccholi, tossed salad, fruits,and sweets.

A Yule log, the Ceppo, is burnedand wishes for the future areexpressed.

The Urn of Fate, an old Italian traditions, is alarge ornamental bowl that holds wrapped gifts for members of the family.

When the family gets together,each member takes histurn at drawing a gift fromthe urn until all the presents are distributed.

The presepio (manger orcrib) represents in miniature the HolyFamily in the stable andis the center of Christmas for families.

Guests kneel before it andmusicians sing before it. Thepresepio figures are usuallyhand-carved and very detailedIn features and dress.

The scene is often set out in theshape of a triangle.

It is entirely decoratedwith colored paper, giltpine cones. Small candles are fastened tothe tapering sides.

The ceppo is in the oldTree of Light traditionwhich became the Christmas tree in othercountries.

From the Castle of Saint Angelo in Rome aFrom the Castle of Saint Angelo in Rome acannon is fired to proclaim the opening ofcannon is fired to proclaim the opening ofthe Holy Season. the Holy Season.

Children in Italy hang up theirChildren in Italy hang up theirstockings on the Feast of thestockings on the Feast of theEpiphany, January 6. They Epiphany, January 6. They celebrate the visit of the Threecelebrate the visit of the ThreeKings to Bethlehem. Kings to Bethlehem.

Children are expecting Befana.Children are expecting Befana.She is a witch-like character who She is a witch-like character who rides around on a broom.rides around on a broom.

The legend is that the Three WiseThe legend is that the Three WiseMen , I re magi, stopped at Befana’sMen , I re magi, stopped at Befana’shut to ask directions on their way tohut to ask directions on their way toBethlehem and asked her to joinBethlehem and asked her to jointhem. She said no, she was too busy.them. She said no, she was too busy.

Later a shepherd asked her to join Later a shepherd asked her to join him in paying respect to the Baby him in paying respect to the Baby Jesus. Again, Befana said no.Jesus. Again, Befana said no.

Later when it was dark and she saw a great lightLater when it was dark and she saw a great lightin the skies, she thought perhaps she should havein the skies, she thought perhaps she should havegone with the Wise Men. So, she gathered somegone with the Wise Men. So, she gathered sometoys that had belonged to toys that had belonged to her own baby, who had her own baby, who had

died, and ran to find thedied, and ran to find thekings and the shepherd.kings and the shepherd.But Befana could notBut Befana could notfind them or the stable.find them or the stable.

Now, each year she looks Now, each year she looks for the Christ Child. Andfor the Christ Child. Andeach year since she can each year since she can not find him, she leavesnot find him, she leavesthe gifts for the good the gifts for the good children of Italy and pieceschildren of Italy and piecesof charcoal for the bad of charcoal for the bad ones…ones…

No meat is eaten for twenty-fourNo meat is eaten for twenty-fourbefore Christmas Eve, but therebefore Christmas Eve, but therefollows a meal as big as the follows a meal as big as the family can afford. A special New family can afford. A special New Year Banquet is eaten on the lastYear Banquet is eaten on the lastday of the year, with raisin bread,day of the year, with raisin bread,turkey, chicken, rabbit, and spaghetti.turkey, chicken, rabbit, and spaghetti.Champagne is the drink of the Champagne is the drink of the Evening. Evening.