Christmas Eve traditions link generations, cultures

Mrs. Arenas-Fenn is a native of Mexico and coordinator of Hispanic Family ministry for the Albany diocesan Family Life Office. She describes Mexican Christmas Eve as a festive and prayerful day.

"We all went to church at 11," she said. "The liturgy was just beautiful. Everyone brought to church their baby Jesus -- the figure made out of clay to be put in their nativities. I remember as a kid this had an impact on me. Baby Jesus came in all sizes and colors, and was wrapped in all type of materials. The fun part began at midnight, when all the lights went out. People -- I mean everyone, including kids -- lit their sparklers. The choir sang a beautiful song full of rhythm. Each family sang directly to their baby Jesus figurine. The sparklers gave just a special touch to the celebration."

Traditional food

"We would go home and start the big party," she said. "Baby Jesus was put in the Nativity scene, hot fruit punch was served and dinner began. The food was a great feast."

Some of the foods Mrs. Arenas-Fenn enjoys on Christmas Eve include: tostadas, fried tortillas with a layering of chicken, refried beans, lettuce, avocado, onion and tomato, topped off with sour cream and cheese; tamales, corn dough mixed with lard, spread on corn husks or banana leaves, sometimes mixed with a savory filling, then wrapped and steamed; lamb; pozole, pork and hominy soup; mole, typical Mexican sauce containing a great variety of hot peppers; tortas de camar¢n, dried shrimp patties; and pescado bacalao, dried cod.

Also included in her family's celebration was a pi¤ata. "Children break the last pi¤ata of the Christmas season," she said. "The breaking of the pi¤ata is the destruction of evil. A celebration of God's triumph over evil."

Midnight Mass

Those who attend this Mass enjoy other parish traditions, like singing hymns in Italian. For those who can't stay up that late the parish offers a 4 p.m. children's liturgy.

"Usually, the children take part in it and act out the Christmas story during Mass," Father Medwid said. "It's very well attended. It's the most attended Mass of the year."

Many of the parishioners enjoy a special meal on Christmas Eve. "For the Italians, Christmas Eve is a meatless day," explained Father Medwid. "A variety of fish are served."

Christmas Eve is also a time when many parishioners share baked goods with the priests of the parish. "Goodies do come my way," said Father Medwid. "There are Italian cookies and other treats, but actually that's a year 'round activity here."

Lithuanian memories

Lithuanians abstain from meat on Christmas Eve, so the meal consists mainly of fish. Some of the menu items include herring, pirogis and traditional Lithuanian food.

"We'll have kugelis [potato pudding]," Sister Roberta said. "You can count on that. It's a traditional meal done in ritual form."

The meal begins with the sharing of a special Christmas wafer known as "dievo pyragai" or God's cakes. Some refer to them by their Slavic name of plotkele.

"We pass and break the wafer and wish each other a happy holiday," Sister Roberta said.

Family-style

This year, three generations will be gathered at her house to ring in Christmas together. After the meal, presents will be exchanged but not opened. They aren't opened until Christmas Day.

Since she was a child, Mrs. Bullock's family didn't begin their Christmas celebration until Christmas Eve. "We don't put up the tree until Christmas Eve," she said. "We don't have Christmas until Christmas Eve."

Waiting for 24th

"I can remember when I was growing up seeing movies where people decorated the tree on Christmas Eve," she said. "It's an observation of Advent."

She admits that putting up the tree on Christmas Eve takes a lot of effort, but it's worth it because of the magical childhood feelings it stirs up.

"When I was growing up, Christmas Eve was quieter," she said. "At my parents', we would read the Gospel story and go to bed. Then the tree went up."

Mrs. Bullock said her family does not attend Mass on Christmas Eve. Instead, they go on Christmas morning. "I've never been to Midnight Mass," she said.

Getting together

"It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without my family," she said. "The highlight is seeing everyone."

The teacher at St. Helen's School in Niskayuna spends Christmas Eve at her sister's house in Ballston Spa. The house is filled to capacity with her eight nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.

"Everyone brings food and we share gifts," she said. "There's a nice warm feeling. It's exciting."

(12-21-00) [[In-content Ad]]