| Christmas In Italy
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It is interesting to note that the Italy is the country, which gave birth to the most poignant portrayal of the birth of Jesus Christ and thereby started what we now know as the Nativity scene. Christmas in Italy becomes all the more enjoyable because it starts eight days before Christmas and lasts till the first week of January, when we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany. However, the beginning of the festive season is marked by the firing
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of the canons from the Castle of Saint Angelo in Rome. The 24-hour feast, which is observed by all on Christmas Eve ends with this and Italians all come together to enjoy a sumptuous meal with family and friends. The traditional Christmas dinner in Italy consist of spaghetti and anchovies, which is made of various kinds of fishes, fresh broccoli, tossed salad, fruits, and sweets. Christmas in Italy is celebrated observing strict religious instructions and so we find an array of prayers and church services through all the eight days before Christmas. Children during this time dress as shepherds visit houses in groups singing Christmas carols and playing shepherd’s pipes. For this they are gifted and treated by the inmates of the houses. In Rome, however, this custom id observed by real shepherds. Another typical Christmas tradition in Italy is that every family has their Urn of Fate, which is a large ornamental bowl containing gifts for the members. Just after the Christmas dinner, every member has to try his or her luck and draw out a gift from the urn. Santa Claus is not very popular with the children of Italy. They are more close to Befana, or the witch like old woman who rides on a broom and for whom they hang stockings on the Feast of Epiphany. Finally they toast to the every body’s well being with champagne. Christmas in Italy can in all respects be a lifetime experience because here we find the true flavor of the traditional Christmas.
Enjoy your Christmas in Italy wi 123Christians.
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