I'm enjoying Christmas this year more than I did last time we came to Switzerland for the holidays. I'm not sure if that's because Mom is with me this time or because these people are in fact my family here. I don't think I'll ever enjoy Christmas here as much as I do with the Lucio's or Karl's, but I would think that is to be expected.
The tradition here is to fast on Christmas Eve. That's the modern Catholic version of fasting (no meat). The family gathers at lunchtime for vánočka, a Czech sweetbread, and hot chocolate. Before eating we sang "Happy Birthday" to Baby Jesus. The evening meal is fried carp (which is very good) and potato salad. This year, Martina made some cinnamon ice cream for dessert which I will try very hard to get the recipe for.
After dinner, the children are sent upstairs to play while the adults light the candles on the Christmas tree, get all the presents out of hiding, and place a plate of Christmas cookies on the coffee table (Martina made 7 kinds of cookies this year). Once all is ready a bell is rung and the children come racing into the living room. Moritz went straight to the plate of cookies and had a great time eating one right after another. Before opening gifts, we admired the Christmas tree and sang Christmas carols, alternating between Czech, German, and English language songs. This is one of the traditions that I enjoy the most. I would now like to get Christmas songbooks in all three languages so that next time it will be easier for everyone to sing more songs. The gifts were open slowly since the children were handing them out and every time they came to one for themselves they would stop to open it and play with it for a bit before going to the next gift. Stepan got me an iPod (yeah, Stepan!); Mom got me some comfortable pajamas; Dominik got me and Mom a children's "My First Words" book in German; and Aline made a ring for me. Stepan and I got two tickets to Die Fledermaus which we will see in Prague and a bat sun catcher from (and made by) his mom. We also got a handmade candle from Rafael and a homemade ornament from Moritz. And better yet, I think all of our gifts to the children were appropriate and appreciated - it was hard to tell when we were buying them since we rarely see them and Martina couldn't provide very many suggestions.
Well, that's all I have time for at the moment. Hopefully I won't forget what we did on Christmas Day....Happy St. Stephen's Day!
Posted by jfer at December 26, 2003 3:23 AMIt would appear ya'll had an equally nice Christmas gathering. I kind of envy the fact you have wonderful scenery and lots of snow. That goes a long way in getting into the Christmas season. Mom is really doing well considering she just got out of the hospital two days ago. It's almost hard to believe she was even there. I would prefer to forget it ever happened, but I know that could cause me to become complacent where her health is concerned. When are you coming back to the states? Have you had time to post any online pictures, yet? Enjoy the rest of your stay and have a nice flight home.
Posted by: Theresa on December 26, 2003 8:20 AMSounds like there are some lovely traditions - how nice to be able to experience them - enjoy!
Posted by: Cynthia on December 26, 2003 10:46 AMVery glad to hear you had a lovely time. (I guess none of the Rihas other than Stepan read your blog, though?) The singing sounds very nice, and all those cookies sound quite yummy. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Elizabeth on December 26, 2003 3:47 PMSpeaking of IPODs....I Love mine!!! I was so surprised when I opened the box!!! I can't believe I have one. Thank you thank you thank you to Jenny, step, mom, dad and danny. I love it!
Posted by: Mermu on December 26, 2003 10:08 PMJennifer, inre, "The tradition here is to fast on Christmas Eve. That's the modern Catholic version of fasting (no meat)."
Not eating meat is called abstaining)i.e., from meat,) Fasting is not eating anything or less than usual.
from my Catholic Encyclopedia: Fasting is a limitation of the quantity of food eaten, as distinguished from abstaining from foods(cf Abstinence)
It is possible Stepan's folks were following "the ember days". from the Encyclopedia: Ember days originated in Rome about the 5th Century and were days of special penance intended to prepare the faithful for entry into each of the four seasons of the year. The decision regarding Ember days as days of penance or abstinence rests with [each National Council of Bishops]. Christmas eve was not listed as an Ember day, but family traditions being what they are this could be one of their pious actions. Go for it.
Thanks for having a very very merry Christmas!! I'll look forward to my special gift in September!
Tia
Posted by: TIA on March 5, 2004 7:54 PM