While doing some research on Haiti in preparation for my trip there in February, I came across this info on how they celebrate Christmas. Interesting (hey JW, just wanted to point out there are no reindeers in the nativity scene…lol!). Had I grown up there, my big feet would have paid off!
The Christmas tree has great importance in the celebration of Christmas in Haiti. The Haitians cut pine branches to serve as Christmas trees or they go to the market and get freshly cut trees brought from the mountains just a few days before Christmas. The trees are decorated with lights and bright ornaments. At the base of the Christmas tree they add a big nativity scene which occupies a large part of the living room. The nativity scene depicts the birth of baby Jesus in a cave manger, with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the three wise men, and sculptured stable animals. The realistic touch is given by the hay which is strewn around in the stable. An endearing tradition of Christmas in Haiti is that on Christmas Eve, the children place their cleaned up shoes filled with straw, on the porch or under the Christmas tree for Papa Noel (Santa Claus). Santa Claus removes the hay to fill up the shoes with presents. Christmas day is spent feasting, visiting friends and family and for small children playing with the new toys brought by Papa Noel. All houses in the neighborhood are decorated with lights. People also go to midnight mass. Singing of Christmas carols is common. Children of practically all ages drink anisette on Christmas Eve. Anisette is a mild alcoholic beverage prepared by soaking "anise" leaves in rum and sweetening it with sugar. After midnight mass people have the meals of the "reveillon".
The Christmas tree has great importance in the celebration of Christmas in Haiti. The Haitians cut pine branches to serve as Christmas trees or they go to the market and get freshly cut trees brought from the mountains just a few days before Christmas. The trees are decorated with lights and bright ornaments. At the base of the Christmas tree they add a big nativity scene which occupies a large part of the living room. The nativity scene depicts the birth of baby Jesus in a cave manger, with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the three wise men, and sculptured stable animals. The realistic touch is given by the hay which is strewn around in the stable. An endearing tradition of Christmas in Haiti is that on Christmas Eve, the children place their cleaned up shoes filled with straw, on the porch or under the Christmas tree for Papa Noel (Santa Claus). Santa Claus removes the hay to fill up the shoes with presents. Christmas day is spent feasting, visiting friends and family and for small children playing with the new toys brought by Papa Noel. All houses in the neighborhood are decorated with lights. People also go to midnight mass. Singing of Christmas carols is common. Children of practically all ages drink anisette on Christmas Eve. Anisette is a mild alcoholic beverage prepared by soaking "anise" leaves in rum and sweetening it with sugar. After midnight mass people have the meals of the "reveillon".
Although it's not at midnight, my favorite service is still the 11:00pm Christmas Eve service. Are you continuing the tradition at Sumner?
ReplyDeleteYeah...at 6:00pm! LOL!!
ReplyDelete