Miscellaneous Ceremony

have a tree at Christmas, and the houses are decorated with greenery and holly.

ENGLAND - Puppet shows are very much a part of the British Christmas, and a favorite is the Punch and Judy story with songs and dances added. Children hang their stockings by the fireplace on Christmas Eve, to be filled by Father Christmas. Typically English is the singing of carols. Many customs and traditions of England are much older than the Christmas tree, which was made popular by Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. Mistletoe and the yule log are of Druidic origin, but are popular in England. The first Christmas card is believed to have been printed in London in 1843.

ITALY - The Christmas season in Italy lasts three weeks... from eight days before Christmas until Twelfth Night. Everyone attends mass on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day is principally a church festival. The ceppo on Christmas log takes the place of the Christmas tree in Italy. Through the ages, the ceppo has changed from a log to a pyramidal stand on which a creche and gifts are placed. The creche is found in every Italian home. Gifts or switches are handed out on Epiphany by Befana, and ageless woman who, legend has it, refused to help the Wise Men, then repented and sought to follow him.

FRANCE - French children put their shoes on the hearth as a handy receptacle for lea pere Noel or le petit Jesus to store a gift. Originally footwear was wooden, but today, any shoe will do, and a hearth isn't even necessary. No French homemade would dare set a holiday buffet table without a carefully arranged centerpiece of red roses. They're used liberally in decorating the home, along with greenery, bright ribbons and baubles. The children make a hoop of greens and berries-and hang it from the ceiling. There is a creche in most French homes.

GREECE - Modern Greek Christmases echo the country's seafaring past. Youngsters make paper boats to set adrift in the sea or on rivers. St. Basil, who distributes Christmas toys, makes his rounds in a boat instead of a sled. New Year's bread with a coin baked inside is served at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Father cuts a portion of bread for each member of the family in the order of their ages. Whoever gets the piece with the coin will enjoy a year of good luck.

PORTUGAL-SPAIN - Here on the route of the Magi, the Wise Men are of particular importance. Custom decrees that the Magi be met on Epiphany Eve at the edge of town. In Portugal, young and old trudge out that night, carrying a variety of food for men and animals. This colorful caravan also offers presents like bouquets of dried flowers, grasses and feathers. But alas for the eager greeters, the Magi always seem to slip into town by another road. So when the disappointed children have eaten the goodies and returned, they are comforted by finding the Wise Men assembled in the village church. Then they parade in with their wonderful gifts for the Magi.