The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-12-24
CHRISTMASTlDE
in OTHER LANDS
THAN OURS
Peculiar Customs of
Many Nations at This
Season

oNNAOOh
With hearts and minds aglow
with the spirit of Christmas it is
interesting to learn of the quaint
Christmas customs of other lands
customs that have been carried
on from generation to generation
and which are still entered into
with the same joyous zest as filled
the Yuletide OF oldcn times.
In Holland the people have all
ready had their Christmas for this
year. 1t is celebrated on Dec
?mber 6, the festival Of st. Mich
olas.
On Christmas Eve in Paris ev-
erybody enjoys a big dinner and
usually the restaurants are fille1
to their capacity. 1t is lie Petit
Jesu that brings gifts to the
French children at Christmas
time. He never forgets a good
,hild and is sure to slip something
into the wooden shoe Of the child
f it is left at the door. He has,
however, been known 10 leave
pebble in the shoes of one who
mas been naughty.
In Italy, the Christmas feast
does not include turkey but con,
sists chiefly of fish in a variety OF
styles. Church-going is greatly
cultivated at this time. The chill
dren do not have Christmas trees,
but usually have what is called
an "Urn of Fate. An urn or
other YES. el containing written
fortunes is placed in some con
vcn;ent place and the children, IN
order Of their ages, draw from it,
amidst laughter and Jest.
The Spanish children do not
talk of their tree or stocking. In
stead it is of "navidadcs" or ma
tivities they talk. These are tiny
models OF the scene az Bethle-
hem. Sometimes they are very
crude and sometimes very ornate.
They are u ually copies Of some
famous portrayal and pride is
taken in exhibiting them. The
great feature Of the celebration of
Christmas in Spain is the singing.
The children go in groups to the
various houses and sing. One usu-
ally sings the verse and the others
he chorus. Two of them dance
md at the onclusion fall before
the nativity of the house they are
.cranading, with the exclamation
For Thee"
Christmas in Serbia is u series
of old customs handed down for
ages. First of all, great Christ
mas fire is built. Then in comes
the mother, bringing with her a
bundle Of straw she has prepared.
She and the children then proceed
to cater the straw all over the
floor, she initiating the cry of 4
, mother chicken the children that
Of the tiny chickens. Once this is
done they all Immediately lie down
on it. After this the eldest male
in the family scatters walnutS in
each corner of the room. In the
east oclncr of the hall stands 4
box Of wheat In the midst of the
wheat stands a tall yellow candle.
The father Of the family then pro-
cccds with a service Of devotion
and thanks for the ble sings en-
ioyed by all.
The NorWcgians make a great
deal Of hospitality at Christmas
time and every visitor is welcome
to a bountiful meal and pipe Of
tobacco. At dinner, between the
courses, national hymns are usu-
ally sung.
In Germany, the entire family
makes ready for hurch. They form
in line, and carrying lighted
candles, march to the service.
There is no other light in the
churches except what the mem
bcrt bring, and as they march in
it presents very beautiful spec
taclc.
In Austria, at every window
candles send their CLEAN out
into the night, in order tlat the
Christ child in passing through
town or village may not stumble.
In Bulgaria they put corn in
their stockings, and the head Of
the family sprinkles some IN front
of the door with the words,
"Christ is born"
The peasant Of Russia on
Christmas form a procession and
pass the houses Of village officials
singing carols and begging for
coppers. Supper is not started un-
til the evening star has appeared
and is usually preceded by a ma
Qucrade.
In the Latin American countries
d midnight mass is generally held |
on Christmas Eve. Christmas day
is usually celebrated by a specta-
cular bull fight, and after this
takes n relipiOuS OrocpSsion is held |