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Portland Observer, December 15, 1982 Section II Page 9
Christmas around
the world . . .
In Scandana via— Denmark, N or
way and Sweden—Christmas is cele
brated for a month.
Saint Lucia's D ay, December'
13th. opens the season. Lucia was a
C hristian girl who was martyred
during the time of Emperor Diocle
tian. When the Christianized V ik
ings heard her stoiy, they envisioned
her shining figure w ith a halo o f
light. Because her Saint’s Day is on
December 13th, when the long
hours of winter darkness will begin
to wane, she became a favorite o f
the northern people.
The Day o f Saint Lucia is cele
brated all over Sweden. Early in the
darkness of morning, the family is
awakened by the youngest daughter
who serves them coffee and Lucia
buns and cakes in bed. She is
dressed in white and on her head is a
green wreath with candles. She
sings, "Santa Lucia", an old Italian
melody.
After Saint Lucia's day. presents
are bought, wrapped and placed un
der the Christmas tree. A sheaf o f
grain is placed on a pole or tree so
the birds, also, can rejoice.
Everyone gathers in the kitchen,
decorated with candles, flowers and
pine branches. On the stove is a
large iron pot with drippings o f
Dork, sausage and corned beef.
Slices o f wort bread are dipped
into the liquid. When the dipping is
finished, lunch is served in the din
ing room. The meal is a close family
gathering and the menu has been the
same for generations. O ften it is
prefaced by a smorgasbord. Then
comes the lutfisk, generally made of
sun-cured cod served with cream
sauce. The meal is topped o ff with
rice pudding or porridge containing
a hidden almond. The person who
gets the almond is supposed to be
married during the following year.
After dinner the Christmas tree is
lit and the presents, provided by
Jultomten, are opened.
Christmas Day is a day of rest and
religious observance. People going
to the pre-dawn service carry
torches a n d windows are lit with
candles. Close by the church, wor
shippers throw their torches into a
huge bonfire. At the door o f the
church they are met with the
chorale: " H o w Brightly Burns the
Morning Star."
December 26th is the day of hos
pitality, with children’s parties and
visitors. Young people dress in cos
tumes and go door-to-door receiv
ing gifts.
On Twelfth Night children dress
in costumes— often depicting Bible
characters— and, carrying stars
mounted on poles, go from house to
house singing hymns.
Saint Knuts' day, January 13th,
ends the Christmas season. The day
honors King Knut IV who ruled
1080-1086 and is revered for his
pious nature and generosity to the
poor. The Christmas tree is lit for
the last time, then dismantled and
taken outdoors with the wish: "M ay
God bless your C hristm as,/M ay it
last till Easter."
poor.
January I , the Day o f Circumci
sion, is the day gifts are exchanged.
Children go house to house visiting.
January 2nd is the women's day for
visiting.
In Syria there is a common belief
that on Epiphany every tree bends
its trunk and inclines its branches in
honor of (he Christ Child.
In southern Syria the gentle camel
o f Jesus travel* over the desert
bringing gifts for the children. Chil
dren leave bowls o f water and wheat
for the camel. God children receive
gifts; the other find black marks on
their wrist*.
On Christmas Eva In soma French villages, a shepherd carries a The lamb reminds them of the shepherds who watched thalr flocks
lamb to Midnight Mass. The villagers carry candles and sing carols, the night Jesus was born.
Our Market Interest Account
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Our convenience beats everyone.
Syria
The Christmas Season in Syria
differs from that o f most other
countries. It begins on Saint Bar
bara's Day, December 4th, and con
tinues to Epiphany.
On the eve of St. Barbara's Day a
table of sweets made of nuts, sugar,
honey and wheat is arranged. Wheat
memorializes the dead and signifies
resurrection o f the soul. Children
are taught unselfishness and
thoughtfulness by sending sweets to
the homes o f the poor, saying,
" M a y God bless you and bring you
happiness every year. Father and
mother beg you to accept these gifts
from us.”
At a party of dancing and singing.
Wheat is cooked and flavored with
sugar, rose water and candy. To
demonstrate that they have learned
the lessons of good Saint Barbara,
the girls go, one at n time, to elderly
women who annount their eves with
a salve. A special mass is said in the
churches of Saint Nicholas.
On Christmas Eve, a bonfire o f
vine stems is built in the church in
honor o f the Magi, who were cold
after their long journey.
Christmas Day is observed quietly
— a day of prayer and rejoicing. The
children give their pennies to the
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