From the 17th of December until the 6th day of January, Christmas is celebrated throughout the regions of Italy. The first eight days of celebration is the Novena, which consists of days of caroling and door to door good cheer from children of all ages. It may be accompanied by shepherds and their musical instruments or simply poetry reading from children. Novena is a Catholic term that means nine, and it represents dedication to the church. The readings and songs are derived from the Catholic prayer books. The original novena was derived from the Greeks who observed nine days of mourning after the death of a loved one. It later was incorporated into the church as a tribute to the church of Acts where the apostles and Mary prayed for nine days after the Last Supper.
Novena as it is expressed here is the anticipation of the arrival of Christ that will be ended with a large feast.
Eight days prior to Christmas, there are musical celebrations in the homes of carpenters, and there are musical tributes played at the Shrine of Mary. This is the heralding in of the church services that happen before Christmas in the Catholic Church. At this time, the children dress up as shepherds and go back to caroling. They are given money to buy Christmas presents from the homes that they sing at.
Twenty four hours before Christmas Eve, there is a fast that will last until Christmas Eve, which will end in a feast without meat. The Feast of the Seven Fishes – cenone – is celebrated on Christmas Eve, and it is considered a way of paying penance by fasting from certain foods. The meal is served late in the evening, and the participants wait for the arrival of Christ at midnight.
Cenone can be filled with seafood, eel, mushrooms, truffles, clams, linguini, foccacia, seafood pie, tuna, soups and octopus stew. The Feast of the Seven Fishes can be interpreted as the Seven Deadly Sins, the Seven Sacraments or other interpretations depending upon the region the meal is being served. There is also a lot of deep frying going on on Christmas Eve in the Italian homes. Followed by desserts of Christmas cookies and pastries.
Seafood Soup
Italian Christmas Dinner
The Crib
The Italian Christmas celebration would not be right if it did not include a nativity scene of some sort. The presepio is the centerpiece of the celebration. It depicts the traditional manger scene, but goes on to add more non-traditional figures to the crib. This can include other figures, animals, scenic pieces, trees and angels. The figures are highly detailed and usually handcarved.
There is great care in creating the crib or ceppo for the holiday, and some have very strict rules about how it will be created. The traditional method is to design it on a triangular piece of wood and add the Holy family. Then build a wooden frame with a pyramid several feet high that will become home to paper, pine cones, glitter, flags, ornaments and small trees that represent the Christmas tree. There may be a tree for each child in the family. Some presepio will have candles on the corners that will be lit. The wooden frame will be held up with shelves that will house gifts, candy or anything else that the family wants to add. There will be a star or a small doll that is hung at the apex of the frame. The triangle is a the forerunner to the Christmas tree and is known as the ceppo, which means Tree of Light.
A presepio.
A ceppo with a pineapple on top. The ceppo is also the Yule log that is burned on the Eve of Christmas.
Urn of Fate
Gift giving is done in a few different ways for the Italian families. The Urn of Fate is a large bowl that houses all the gifts that are brought to the Christmas Eve celebration. Those gifts are all thrown in the bowl, and they have no names attached to them. Everyone chooses a gift until they are all gone. This makes it all a surprise.
Children traditionally hang their stockings out on the 5th of January, so they can be filled by Befana. She is a witch that was originally asked by the Magi for directions to Bethlehem. She was asked to join them on their quest to see the King, but she refused. Later, a shepherd asked her to come along with him, and she refused him as well. She then was greeted by a great light in the sky and decided that maybe she should have gone along with them. In an effort to catch up, she took toys that had belonged to son that she had lost and jumped on her broomstick to try and catch up with the rest. She failed, so now she spends eternity going from house to house with toys while she searches for the Baby Jesus.
Befena
We have the Italians to thank for the wonderful Christmas carols and nativity scenes that are part of the common household celebrations of Christmas.
Christmas Day is spent going to church, and the pope gives a noon blessing to the crowds in Vatican City.
Maybe you can find something in this dazzling list of gift ideas that would be perfect to drop into the Urn of Fate.
jnldesigns
Blue and Silver Interchangeable Purse Charm
Elegant Sky Blue Crystal Teardrop Necklace, Wire Wrapped with Sterling Silver
specialtivity
Silver Chain Swarovski Tanzanite Chandelier Handmade Earrings
ResetarGlassArt
Turquoise Blue Layers Square Pendant Necklace, Handmade Fused Glass
Bird's Nest Necklace Peacock Teal Blue Pearls
Star Shooter archer faerie shooting stars from bow and moon in background in tones of silver and purple
Covergirlbeads
Blue Crystal Earrings With Sterling Silver Chain Dangle Wire Wrapped
Dreamcatcherman
Dragons Keep totem Crystal beaded bead necklace Dragon Charm Pendant
WireCrafters
Wire Wrapped Opaque Darker Marine Blue Stained Glass Earrings
BrulezRulez
Doctor Who Tardis Blue Enamel Charm Necklace
Wyverndesigns
Steam Punk Sea Horse Pendant Necklace
LilBitOLove
2 Color Toilet Tattoo Vinyl Decal for Toilet Tank Portal
craftingmemories
Icy Jewels Earrings with Swarovski Bicones and SS Findings
TheTwistedRedhead
Wavy Bookmark with Iridescent Rich Navy Blue Beads and Silver Charms
MagpieSue
Vintage Petit Point Pointe Necklace, Blue Flower, Silver tone, pendant
Antique Postcard "New Year Greetings" Holly with Silver Bells Winter Church Scene next to river Embossed 1913
Crocheted Bracelet, Vibrant Blue Jewelry, Pearls and Crystals Crochet Jewellery
adorebynat
Personalized Elephant Favor Tags for Baby Boy Shower Party in Blue
Umeboshi
Blue Lagoon Silver Plated Bracelet w Textured Dichroic Glass Cabochon
KevsKrafts
Boy Baby Foot Decor Little Feet Make Big Footprints Handmade Wood
cardsbylibe
Merry Christmas Silver Ornament Handcrafted Greeting Card
jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy
Blue Swarovski Crystal Silver Glass Bead Memory Wire Bangle Bracelet
dianesdangles
Blue Glass Swarovski Crystal Beaded Charm Dangle Silver Chain Bracelet
bluemorningexpressions
Earrings White Flower Polymer Clay Dangle Chain Swarovski Crystal Bead
ShadowDogDesigns
Believe Cross Necklace Pearls Lampwork Handmade Christian Jewelry
PrettyGonzo
Pearl and Sapphire Crystal Earrings Swarovski Sterling Silver Handmade
ThaddeusRose
Lapis Pendant, Coral, Crystals, Glass Pearls and Silver Necklace, Blue
evezbeadz
Sodalite Gem w/ Winter Dendric Agate Silver Plated Pendant Necklace
PutmanLakeDesigns
Modern Snow Themed Quilted Wall Hanging w/ Wind and Snowflakes
Frost on Wire Fence Nature Photography on Blank Note Card - A Cold Frosty One
craftsofthepast
Necklace of India Foil Lined Old Glass Beads and Brocade Silver
Thesingingbeader
Dark blue satin pearl bracelet linked sterling silver toggle clasp
Finish your pizza, drink your champagne and let’s move to our next stop. We only have a few more stops!
Enjoy,
Julie and Blu
Thanks, Julie and Blu for the information on the Italian celebration of Christmas. I learned a few things today and that makes it a good day. I used to tell the kids that they should learn something new every day. One day a boy said that he'd learned something new already and asked if he could go home!! KIDS!!!! lol Thanks for including my wall hanging of the sky and wind to these great blue items!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to read all the various traditions. We (Greek, Slavic and Syrian) Orthodox begin our St Phillip's Fast (or Advent) on November 15 and remain meatless until Christmas Day after Divine Liturgy. Then we devour a cow or chicken -- well some like ham, too.
ReplyDeleteAnna
I think I put on 5 lbs. just looking at the picture of that Italian Christmas dinner! lol Enjoyed reading and looking at all the beautiful items that will make fantastic Christmas gifts. Thank you for including my bracelet! - The Singing Beader
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Julie!
ReplyDeleteShared.
I love reading about Christmas around the world, very interesting. Thank you Julie and Blu and thank you for including my Icy Jewels Earrings.
ReplyDeleteAnother absolutely fascinating post. Raised as a Catholic, there always seemed to be novenas - now I know where they came from. Thanks! Give be a big bowl of the cenone any day (especially on this chilly day!) Thank yo for adding my "Believe" cross necklace. Will share this post far and wide. Thanks again, Julie and Blu!
ReplyDeleteHow very Blue-tiful! Thank You for adding my necklace Julie, you make me blush, Eve :)
ReplyDeleteAnd to think I've been celebrating Christmas for *%*^ years now, and I knew very little about those lovely Italian traditions. Well, as they say, when in Rome... Thanks for the story, Julie and Blu, and for providing us with a feast for the eyes as well. Much appreciate the inclusion of my bluesy beaded bookmark. Will be sharing so all can appreciate!
ReplyDeleteYou create the best post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGrady at WireCrafters
Fascinating post! Thank you for including my blue Swarovski crystal silver bracelet.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful post - so interesting! I love this Christmas Around the World series that you're doing, Julie - thanks for sharing it! Also, thank you so much for including my earrings here. Gonze wishes fun biscotti treats for beautiful Blu! :) Off to tweet (again) ...
ReplyDeleteIt would be an honour to be included in that urn of fate. Thank you very much for including my chandelier earrings Julie. I'm happy to share :)
ReplyDeleteOnce again a fascinating post with so much information. Thank you Julie for this and for including my card.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Enjoyed another wonderful post. Thanks so much for so many interesting articles on Christmas around the World. Will share!
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting post about Christmas traditions! You've chosen some lovely blue finds to accompany your post, too!
ReplyDeleteIncredible post, I always learn so much! Thank you for including my blue swarovski bracelet. Happy to share!
ReplyDeleteLove all the blue pieces you featured in this article - and the article was fabulous. So much to learn about. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnother great article of Christmas around the world! I love all these stops and I know I'll be sad when it ends.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for including my elephant favor tags.
Adorebynat - Handmade Party Decorations and Stationery
Beautiful blues, also enjoyed the stories.
ReplyDeleteYUMMY! The word describes the Italian Christmas Feast and the lovely icy blue handmade items you've shared this week from the Countdown to Christmas.
ReplyDelete