A Traditional Italian Christmas

Italy is rich in Christmas traditions that stem from the celebration of the winter solstice and the Christian birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration lasts 3 weeks. It begins on December 6 and goes until January 6, ending with the feast of Epiphany.

The Christmas season traditionally begins with the firing of the cannon from the Castle of Saint Angelo. The Pifferari, which are shepherds that come from the mountains of Abruzzo and Latium, play their bagpipes. Some traditional Italian Christmas songs include "Gesu Bambino 'l E Nato", which means "Baby Jesus is Born", "Tu Scendi dalle Stelle", which means "You Came Down from the Stars", and "La Canzone di Zampagnone", which is the "Carol of the Bagpipers". For about a week and a half, children go from house to house singing Christmas carols and reciting Christmas poetry.

Presepi is an Italian nativity scene. These are greatly embellished. Cathedrals often compete to see who has the best presepi in town. People go around town and view the presepi at the different churches. The Vatican City in Rome and larger cities, like Naples, have exceptionally grand presepi. The one in Naples is one of the most famous.

The day before Christmas Eve, no meat is eaten. A lot of fish is served instead. A traditional eel dish called "Capitone" is served as a traditional main course. Sweet desserts such as panettone, torrone, and panforte make delicious accents to the Christmas celebration. Pandoro is another amazing Italian traditional dessert served at Christmas.

An Italian legend says that the Wise Men stopped by the home of an old woman asking for directions to help them find the baby Jesus. They invited her to come with them as they searched, but she declined the offer because she was too busy. She regretted the decision and began searching for the Wise Men and the baby Jesus. Every home in which she stopped, she left a gift for the children in case the baby Jesus was there. This legend led to the tradition of the Befana. Children put their shoes by the fireplace, and the Befana is said to fill the shoes and stockings with gifts and treats for good children or coal for naughty children.

A Yule Log is burned as family and friends toast. The Urn of Fate is a large decorative bowl with one gift for each person in it. You take turns drawing from the bowl til you get the gift with your name on it.

Resources for Christmas in Italy
http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-italy.htm

http://romanmiscellany.blogspot.com/2006/12/roman-pifferari.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92c84dslJ3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d-OAP9VFkA

http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/befana.htm

http://goitaly.about.com/od/christmasinitaly/a/nativity.htm

http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0946.htm

http://www.italiansrus.com/recipes/torrone.htm

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art19464.asp

http://www.santas.net/italianchristmas.htm

http://www.italianmade.com/recipes/recipe383.cfm

http://www.abruzzo2000.com/abruzzo/traditions/christmas/xm_rec.html

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-23-2004-63380.asp

http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~ngargano/corsi/100/wk11.natale.italy.htm

http://italian.about.com/b/2003/12/15/italian-christmas-carols-3.htm

http://www.tiralongo.it/tu_scendi_dalle_stelle.htm

http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa120600c.htm

http://www.christmas-day.org/christmas-in-italy.html

http://goitaly.about.com/od/naples/ig/Naples-Nativity-Scene-Pictures/Nativity-Scene-or-Presepe.htm