Yuletide Days of Old - Ancient Customs of Christmas

Christmas, as a holiday period, was instituted and celebrated at about the same time as other winter solstice festivities, because church leaders at the time believed it would make more people participate in the new holiday period. That objective was achieved, but people also carried over some pagan celebrations and traditions into the religious Christmas celebrations.

As an example, people would attend church and then take part in a raucous, drunken, and carnival-like celebration that has some similarities to Mardi Gras. During this celebration every year, there would be a crowning of a beggar or student as the “Lord of Misrule.” Those taking part in the activities would pretend to be loyal subjects to the Lord of Misrule.

During this time some of the poor would also visit the rich in their houses and ask for some of their best food and drink. Those among the rich who didn't cooperate would be subject to rowdy behavior and mischief by the poor. For their part, the rich used Christmas as the time when they would reach out to the poorer members of society by tolerating them in such visits or by leaving out food and clothing for them.

For many centuries before the birth of Christ and the recognition of Christmas, there had been celebrations in many countries during the middle of winter. During the darkest days of winter for example, the early Europeans were said to celebrate light and birth. The winter solstice was a period of rejoicing for many people because it meant that the worst part of winter was over and they could therefore look forward to having days that were longer with more hours of sunlight.

In that tradition, the Norse peoples in Scandinavia would celebrate a period of Yule from December 21, which was the winter solstice or start of winter, through January. To recognize the re-emergence of the sun, fathers and their sons would take large logs home and set them on fire. There would then be a big feast until the log was completely burned out. That could take as many as twelve days to happen.

The custom also was one of hope for the Norse because there was the belief among them that every spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born in the New Year. Many parts of Europe also thought that the end of December was a perfect time to celebrate because, during that time, a lot of cattle would be killed to avoid having to feed them during winter. For many people, the end of December was the only time during the year when they had a significant amount of fresh meat. Also, by that time of year, wine and beer that was made earlier in the year would have fermented and would have finally been ready for drinking.

The tradition of Santa Claus has also been an ancient legend with slight differences, or variations, going back to the 1700s in some countries. In Germany and Switzerland, children who were well behaved would receive a Christmas present from Christkind or Kris Kringle. Christkind, which means “Christ child,” was believed to be an angel-like figure that went along with St. Nicholas on his holiday journeys to deliver gifts.

A jolly elf by the name of Jultomten was believed to deliver presents in Scandinavia, in a sleigh that was pulled by goats. In France, Pere Noel is the one who fills the shoes of French children with Christmas gifts, sweets, or treats at Christmas time.

In Russia, there's a legend that Babushka was an elderly woman who gave incorrect directions to Bethlehem to the three Wise Men so that they wouldn't find Jesus. She later felt sorry for doing so but couldn't find the Wise Men to tell them about the error. Today in Russia, it is believed that on January 5, the day before the Epiphany or Three Kings Day, Babushka visits Russian children and leaves presents by their bedsides, in the hope that one of the children will be Baby Jesus and will forgive her.

Christmas in Other European Countries

In Finland, Christmas Eve is the traditional time to set up the Christmas Tree, and it's also traditional to visit the sauna, and for families to listen to a broadcast of the national “Peace of Christmas” on the radio. Christmas Dinner generally consists of a main dish of boiled codfish that is snowy and fluffy in appearance, served with cream sauce and boiled potatoes. Christmas dinner is rounded out with roast suckling pig, or roasted fresh ham, and vegetables. Among peasants, there is a tradition to tie a sheaf of grain, with nuts and seeds, to a pole that is put in a garden for birds. Many peasants will wait until after the birds have eaten before having their Christmas Dinner. Santa Claus is expected to visit homes in person with his Christmas elves to give out Christmas gifts.

Christmas in France is called Noel, from the phrase, “les bonnes nouvelles, or “the good news,” which refers to the gospel. On Christmas Eve, cathedrals and churches are beautifully lit and filled with the sounds of Christmas carols, ringing church bells, and carillons. The tradition among children is to put their shoes by the fireplace for Pere Noel, or le petit Jesus, to fill them with gifts.

In the north of France however, children receive gifts on December 6, St. Nicholas Day, instead of Christmas. Most French homes will have a Nativity scene or crèche on display during the season. In Southern France, some people will burn a log in their home from Christmas Eve until New Years Day, which comes out of a farming tradition of using the log for good luck in the coming harvest.

The French also make a traditional cake called the “buche de Noel,” or Christmas Log, which is shaped like a Yule log and is part of a late supper called “le reveillon,” held after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The main dish for this meal generally consists of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit, and wine, but varies according to region. The main course in Burgundy is turkey with chestnuts, and in Paris it's oysters, foie gras, and the buche de Noel cake. The wines generally served are Champagne, Muscadet, Sauterne, and Anjou. An annual tradition of puppet shows, particularly in Paris and Lyons, is popular during Christmas time. In Paris, it's also popular for big department stores to have grand, animated window displays.

Christmas in Italy is called “Il Natale,” or “the birthday.” Christmas season starts eight days before Christmas, a period called the Novena, and runs for three weeks. During the Novena, children dress as shepherds and go from house to house saying Christmas poems, singing, and playing pipes. They often receive money to buy gifts during this activity. The Nativity scene, called the Presepio, has miniature figures, carved in great detail out of clay or plaster, of the Holy Family in the stable and is the center of Christmas for families. Families say prayers and children recite poems around the Presepio.

Christmas Eve dinner, called “cenone,” is a traditional dish of roasted, baked, or fried eel. In some regions, various types of fish is prepared for this dinner, as well as pork, sausage in a pig's leg, or turkey stuffed with chestnuts. Christmas sweets are called panettone and traditionally have nuts and almonds. On Christmas Eve, children set out their shoes for a kind, old woman or ugly witch, called “La Befana,” who rides on a broomstick down chimneys, to fill them with gifts of toys or candies. If they were bad, their shoes will be filled with coal. Some children wait until January 6, the Epiphany, to receive gifts.

Norway is where the tradition of the Yule log started, which gave rise to log-shaped cakes, cheese, and other desserts during the holidays. Norwegians today often go into the forest to cut their own Christmas Trees, which are secretly decorated on Christmas Eve to surprise children. After the Christmas Tree is revealed, Norwegians engage in “circling the Christmas tree,” a
tradition in which everyone joins hands forming a ring around the tree. They then walk around the Christmas Tree singing carols. Gifts are distributed after this ritual is finished.