Christmas Traditions

 

Christmas traditions in other countries are fascinating to learn about -- and at its Dec. 21 meeting, the Rotary Club of Jamestown had the opportunity to do just that when Rotary Exchange students Irina Rey of Switzerland and José Bazán of Spain spoke to club members about their Christmas traditions.

 

In Switzerland, Rey said, Advent marks the start of Christmas preparations, and each family has an Advent calendar filled with treats and sweets for each day. Christmas markets are popular and her family traditionally takes a holiday ski trip. Christmas Eve is marked with a midnight church service. Good children might be visited on Dec. 6 by Samichlaus, the Swiss version of St. Nicholas, but naughty children are visited by Schmutzli, swathed in dark robes with a face covered in soot. 

 

Christmas is different for Bazán's family. On Christmas Eve, his extended family comes over for dinner and family members prepare the meal together before attending a midnight mass. On Dec. 26, children write letters to the three kings who brought gifts to the Christ child. While children receive some gifts on Christmas, most typically open gifts brought to them by the kings on Epiphany, Jan. 5. But gifts aren't placed beneath the tree -- children leave shoes on window sills, balconies, or near the tree to be filled with gifts. The shoes represent those worn by the wise men on their journey to see baby Jesus. On Epiphany, the entire family is awakened before gifts are opened, and then -- in Bazán's words -- they "eat the best breakfast of the year," called roscon de reyes, or king's ring, a moist fruitcake. Once gifts are opened, the family might gather 'round and watch a concert on television. 

 

Advancing world peace through understanding is one of Rotary's most cherished missions. Special thanks to Irina and José for expanding our understanding of our world!

 

From left are Rotarian Cheri Krull, Irina, and José.