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| Wednesday, 24 December 2003 |
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Quaint customs and traditions by Caryl Nugara Christmas is a happy season reminiscent of its own customs and traditions which we continue to observe. In almost every home children get together to make the crib and complete it with little images of Baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Joseph and other Biblical characters. It is adorned with a silver star. In fact, St. Francis introduced the Nativity scene. He made a crib in the hollow of a cave and thus showed how Jesus was born. People from far and near came to have a look and were fascinated. Carols are sung in churches and homes early in December. Originally they were folk songs sung by the rural people. About 300 years ago some monks composed joyful melodies which they sang in the monastery. Some of them were "O Holy Night", "Hark the Herald" and "While Shepherds Watched Their Flock" but the loveliest of all was "Silent Night" composed by an Austrian priest in the 18th century. It was the night before Christmas and he experienced its serenity and sacredness. He was so emotionally inspired by the beauty around him that he composed this poignant carol. It is believed that the Christmas tree had its origin in Germany. A legend says that a young girl standing on the edge of the forest noticed a pine tree nearby. It was Christmas Eve and she thought it would make an attractive decoration in her house. She persuaded her father to cut the tree down, took it to their home, then placed candles on it and lit them. What a wonderful sight it was! Myth In yet another myth, Martin Luther fetched a small cypress tree and placed it in his window. He happened to look up and noticed the stars twinkling in the night sky. To him it was indeed a glorious sight. To capture the splendour of the Christmas sky he arranged some candles in between the branches and watched the tapers twinkling almost like the stars.
The Christmas wreath was displayed on the main door of the house. It is now fashioned with mistletoe, holly-berries, leaves and shiny ribbon. In ancient times people went to the forest to collect green-briar, pine-cones and red berries which they entwined with vines to form a wreath and hung it just above the mantle-piece. The yule-log played an important part in the home during Christmas. Countries such as England and those in the North Pole experienced severe and bitter winter. Therefore, the family would walk to the edge of the woods, cut a bough from a fir or evergreen tree, brought it home and decorated it with wild briar and creepers. It was kept slowly burning in the fire place giving out warmth and a nice reddish glow. Tall red candles, surrounded by greenery and scarlet poinsettia made an attractive centre-piece for the dining table. Pretty home-made bon-bons were placed beside each plate and the members of the family would pull them apart to get the Christmas token hidden inside. Christmas cracker The first Christmas cracker was made in 1847 by Tom Smith. He wrapped a toffee with a 'love message' and sent it to his fiancee. It was meant to be pulled apart by her so that it made a crackling sound and she could eat the sweet. What a delightful thing it would have been. Carol parties went from door to door in the neighbourhood singing. This was to recall how the three Kings from the Orient travelled all the way with their gifts to pay homage to the infant Jesus. Ever since then children get together muffled in woolies carrying lighted hurricane-lamps and go along snow covered streets singing those nostalgic tunes. They look forward to receiving little presents. A gentle, kindly monk named Father Nicholas lived in the 14th century AD. He was truly concerned for the poor and was given several names such as Santa Claus and Father Christmas. On Christmas night he secretly left presents specially for poor children on their doorsteps. Myths and stories woven around him say that he rides all the way from the ice-bound North Pole driven in a sleigh filled with toys, pulled along by a merry, little red-nosed reindeer called Rudolf. Another legend says that Santa comes down the chimney with a bag of gifts, so children hang up Christmas stockings above the fire-place expecting dear Santa to fill them up. There is traditional Christmas food and goodies as well. Long ago special mince-pies, muffins and cookies" were prepared by mothers. The Christmas pudding was the richest with pieces of stewed fruit, fresh raisins, figs and cherries, suet and sugar all mixed with spices, baked in a bowl and brought to the breakfast table. When the family gathered together, the mother would pour some wine over and set a lighted match to it. The slightly burnt crust made it even more delicious. So Christmas becomes a season of wonder and loveliness with its quaint traditions that interwine and enchant all of us. |
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Decorating the tree is yet another tradition. It was the custom in
Europe long ago to make ornaments of dough, sugared plums and candy to be
hung on the tree. They were given as gifts and Christmas treats to
children who came visiting. Later on decorations of papier mache', wood
and bright little toys were also hung up amidst glittering stars and
bells.
