 | In Italy, the Christmas season stretches from December 25 through January 6. Throughout the entire country, activity slows to a crawl; businesses close, families gather and towns celebrate. Even the smallest communities sparkle with Christmas lights and religious displays. At this holy and special time of year, Italians take time out to honor old traditions and important relationships.
La Befana
According to Italian legend, an old, grouchy lady nicknamed “La Befana” was sweeping her porch one day when the three wise men came by. They were headed to Bethlehem and invited her to come with them to see the Christ Child. La Befana shooed them away with her broom, shouting that she was too busy with her household duties. The next day, she deeply regretted her actions. La Befana spent the rest of her life wandering from house to house on Epiphany eve, seeking the baby Jesus. She left little gifts for the children of each house, according to how they had behaved during the year.
To commemorate this legendary event, children receive rustic stockings, made of burlap or rough cloth, on Epiphany, January 6. Epiphany, a special holiday in Italy, is the day that the Catholic Church celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the Holy Family in Bethlehem, so it is an appropriate day for La Befana’s visit to each home. The little stockings may have the figure of a witch on them, and contain candy and treats for good children. Children who have been naughty receive lumps of coal. La Befana looks a lot like a Halloween witch to American eyes. She rides a broom and has a wart on her nose. It’s important to remember that she isn’t a spooky, evil person. In Italian tradition, she represents all people who are truly seeking Jesus.
Manger Scene (Presepe)
Saint Francis of Assisi started another beloved Italian Christmas tradition, the “presepe.” The English translation for “presepe” is “Nativity scene.” This translation does not begin to do justice to the elaborate Italian creations displayed in homes, churches and shops during the Christmas season.
An Italian presepe does, indeed, contain figures representing Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus. You will have to look carefully to find them in the elaborate presepe. The presepe is made using natural materials and usually looks like a grouping of caves and hills, with spots at various levels to display plastic or clay figurines. These figurines represent traditional occupations and crafts. For example, a presepe might contain fishermen, weavers, dancers, and shepherds. Animal figurines play a prominent role. The presepe might also include working fountains, artificial fires that light up and waterwheels that run using real water. Tiny reproductions of fruits, food and farm products also decorate the scene.
An Italian family will add figures or accessories to the presepe each year. Department stores and do-it-yourself shops set out elaborate presepe displays to coax shoppers into spending a few more Euros on a new accessory or figure. Some of the larger presepi cost over 5,000 Euros (nearly $6,500.00) for the background piece, figures and accessories.
One way to see a wide variety of presepi is to visit several Italian churches during the Christmas season. Some churches have used the same presepe figures since the 1500’s. Others create a new presepe each year based on a theme, such as the patron saint of the church or a particular country served by missionary priests and religious. This special tradition links Italian families to other homes and churches throughout the country, and, indeed, to all those around the world who set up a manger scene at Christmas.
Live Nativity (Presepe Vivente)
A tradition related to presepe displays is the presepe vivente, or live Nativity. Again, this translation is barely adequate. An Italian live Nativity usually involves dozens of costumed participants and is set in the oldest part of a town. On designated evenings during the Christmas season, visitors are invited to wander through the narrow, winding streets and peek into doorways in order to watch costumed townspeople perform traditional crafts and dances. Italian folk music fills the air. Craftsmen sell their handmade products, such as wood carvings, lace, olive oil soap and bread. Old-fashioned millstones, looms and tools are brought back into use for this special event.
As you walk through the softly-lit streets, you will feel as though you have gone back to the time of Saint Francis or Michelangelo. You will become part of the festive atmosphere and enjoy admiring the crafts, dances and costumes. Somewhere in the town, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus will be sitting in their stable, surrounded by live animals; it may take a while to find them, but they are there, the heart of all that is going on. People come from miles around to see a presepe vivente and to take home the joyful feeling that they have truly celebrated Christmas. Visiting a presepe vivente is like taking a magical trip back to medieval times.
Modern Customs
Today, Italians bring the best of western Christmas traditions into their homes. Babbo Natale (Santa Claus) usually pays a visit, leaving presents for good children on Christmas Eve. Many Italian families own artificial Christmas trees, and most large cities also sell live trees. Italian families decorate their trees with Christmas ornaments, beautiful ribbons, natural materials and lovely angels. Of course, the famous Italian affinity for style and color plays an important role.
Twenty or thirty years ago, most Italian towns did not have downtown lighting displays, but today you will see beautiful festival lighting in practically every town. Churches put up special religious displays. Homes, too, are often decorated with Christmas lights. Schools and churches put on pageants, and Italian children happily anticipate Christmas morning as well as Epiphany morning.
A delicious Italian Christmas custom is the exchange of food gifts with family, friends and neighbors. During the holiday season, Italians buy gifts of Christmas cakes, wines, cheese and prosciutto and give them to family members and friends. Every grocery store and neighborhood shop displays tasty Christmas treats.
The most popular food gift is panettone, the traditional Christmas bread. It is delicious; sweet, studded with dried fruit and raisins, and slightly dry — perfect to eat with coffee or spumante, the famous sparkling Italian dessert wine. Another popular food gift is torrone, almond nougat candy, which is usually chocolate-covered. Combination packages of parmesan cheese and prosciutto, Italian cured ham, are also well-liked. Italians also enjoy giving bottles of spumante or prosecco (sparkling wines) to their neighbors and friends at Christmas. Italian people truly value their relationships with neighbors, friends and family, and like to show their importance by honoring them with tasty and useful gifts.
Auguri! (“Holiday greetings and best wishes!”)
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