Download the Power Point Presentation--Free


 

Spiritual Christmas Traditions from the "Olde Country"
  by Frank Schaefer

On this Christmas Day (Eve) I would like to share some of those Christmas Traditions that have a spiritual meaning and make a connection to Scriptures of Promise and Hope.

I’m not against secular Christmas traditions and stories, such as those surrounding a certain old man with a white beard and his cute, mythical little helpers, but in church we celebrate the true and original meaning of Christmas—the incredible story of the birth of God in form of a poor little baby--the incarnation of the Son of God.

We Americans pride ourselves on being a diverse people. We may not have many original Christmas traditions, but we do appreciate and celebrate many traditions from around the world.  The way you celebrate Christmas often depends on where your family originally comes from.

Today, I would like to present five Christmas traditions from the “Olde Country” (Europe),that we may not be very familiar with.  These are inspiring traditions and whether we celebrate them or not; they are certainly worthwhile learning about.  In fact, they each celebrate an important aspect of the Christmas story at home.

I would like to invite you into the living room of Christian folks from France, Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic, and Great Britain.  Our first visit leads us to the Loire Valley, France . . .

 
 

France: Le Réveillon --fast and wake to celebrate God's gift to us

We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.  Titus 2:13

The tradition of Réveillon, a French word meaning ‘awakening’, can be traced back to the mid-1800s.  It is a day-long fast on Christmas Eve that culminates in the midnight Christmas mass followed by a big Christmas dinner. The Réveillon (awakening) refers to being re-energized by the food after the fast. This meal is usually celebrated within the immediate family circle.

The fast heightens the experience of waiting for the arrival of Christ. In a sense the fast is a condensed Advent experience, with the difference that during Advent we focus on the second coming of Christ.  During the Réveillon we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ-child. Can you imagine how good that food must taste at the midnight Christmas dinner after fasting and waiting all day?  It is a true spiritual anticipation of the glorious banquet we will celebrate on Christ’s return at the end of times.

Next, we’ll take a Lufthansa flight to Munich, Germany . . .

Germany—The tree as a gift from God

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.  Isaiah 11:1

Germany is the birthplace of the Christmas tree. Traditionally, the Christmas tree is not set up nor decorated until Christmas Eve. The children are not allowed into the living room all day. They are told that the Christ-child is bringing and preparing the Christmas tree.  The tree itself is said to be a gift from God to remind us of the incredible gift of baby Jesus. The Christmas tree is the symbolic shoot of Jesse’s branch, a reminder that God made good on his promise of sending the Messiah even though the glory days of the house of David were long dead.

This way, the children in Germany experience an incredible and sometimes agonizing period of anticipation of Christmas. When they are finally allowed into the living room following the Christmas service at church, it is like entering a different realm with the lights, the smells, and the sounds of Christmas all around.  There are gifts and candy under or in the tree, which are said to have been given by the Christ child, but there are also gifts exchanged between parents and children as part of the “Bescherung” (the giving of the gifts).  The emphasis of Christmas Eve is on Christ, at least until the toys are unwrapped.  On Christmas Day, families get together to celebrate and gifts are given to extended family members like grandparents.

Our next designation is in the north-east of Europe, the city of St. Petersburg, Russia . . .

Russia – the Star of Bethlehem is still leading us to the Christ child

“...and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.”   Matthew 2:9

 (1) “Starring” is an ancient Russian Orthodox Christian custom (which has been revived recently and is becoming popular again), which originated in the Ukraine. Starting on January 7, (when Orthodox Russians celebrate Christmas) a group of people would start off to church following a person carrying a pole made of wood, with a star on top with a candle in the front. When they came upon a house they would stop and stand facing the star. The star-carrier twirled the star while the rest of the group sang carols.

The religious significance behind the ritual is found in the story of the three wise men following the star of the East all the way to Bethlehem.  Sending the Star hold an implicit  promise that God will continue to lead us to the Christ child, who, in turn, will lead us to our Salvation. The re-enactment of this story reminds us of God’s faithfulness and guidance.

As we travel a little distance to the south-west we find ourselves in the ancient Czech city of Prague . . . .
    

Czech Republic: The extra place setting at the dinner table -- expect Christ to visit anytime!

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”  Heb 13:1
 

In the Czech Republic, Christians have a curious tradition: when the table is set for the Christmas family dinner, one extra place setting is provided. This is not just for a surprise guest, but reflects the core Christian belief that Christ himself may visit unexpectedly unbeknownst to the host family. Christ may visit in the form of a traveler or a beggar.

There is biblical precedent for such an encounter with Christ, as two disciples on their way to Emmaus shared a meal with the risen Christ unawares. The writer of Hebrews also reminds us of always being ready to extend hospitality to strangers and surprise guests.

We should look for Christ in those who come into our lives unexpectedly, no matter what they look like or how different they are from us.  After all, Mary and Joseph would have appreciated some hospitality as they traveled to Bethlehem. The theme of hospitality to strangers is thus deeply engrained into the Christmas story and nicely captured by this “small” symbolic Czech Christmas tradition.

             

Our last visit takes us to Brighton, England . . .

 

 

England:  Boxing Day -- Spreading Christmas Joy to others

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

On December 26, Boxing Day is celebrated in Great Britain and in most areas settled by the English (not the U.S.), including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A gift is given to service people, such as mail carriers and janitors, and often donations are made to support the needy.

The Name Boxing Day probably derives from an old English tradition: in exchange for ensuring that wealthy landowners' Christmases ran smoothly, their servants were allowed to take the 26th off to visit their families. The employers gave each servant a box containing gifts and bonuses (and sometimes leftover food). In addition, around the 1800s, churches opened their alms boxes (boxes where people place monetary donations) and distributed the contents to the poor. (2)

The tradition has spiritual roots in the biblical precedence of sharing our blessings with others. On Christmas Eve, God gave us the greatest gift ever given; on Christmas day, we pass on that blessing by the symbolic gesture of giving gifts to our loved ones.  On Boxing Day, we extend this gesture to include those who may not have. As we give we realize the joy that is in the truth of Jesus words when he said: “giving is more blessed that receiving.”

Whether we adopt one or all of these traditions or not, let them remind us of what’s really important as we celebrate the gift of the incarnation on this Christmas Eve (Day): God with us, revealed in us.  Amen and merry Christmas to all of you!

        

Download the Power Point Presentation--Free