3. 8TH DECEMBER Feast of MARY’S Immaculate conception
4. This feast celebrates belief in the immaculate conception of the blessed virgin mary. It is celebrated on 8 December, nine months before the nativity of mary, which is celebrated on 8 September.
5. It is a PUBLIC holiday in italy and it is the first great celebration during advent.
6. conceived as awaiting the coming of the Christ-child at Christmas, advent is often marked by the Advent wreath, a garland of evergreens with four candles, one for each of the four weeks of advent.
8. Lucy was a Christian during the DIOCLETIAN PERSECUTION. She consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry a pagan, and had her dowry distributed to the poor.
9. Her would-be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of SYRACUSE - SICILY. Miraculously unable to move her or burn her, the guards took out her eyes with a fork.
10. BECAUSE OF HER MARTYRDOM, St. Lucia Has BECOME THE PROTECTOR OF SIGHT. MANY CELEBRATIONS TAKE PLACE ALL OVER ITALY, BUT ESPECIALLY IN SYRACUSE, WHERE SHE WAS BORN.
16. Epiphany is a Christian FEAST DAY that celebrates the revelation of GOD THE SON as a HUMAN BEING in JESUS CHRIST. On this feast, We commemorate principally the visitation of the BIBLICAL MAGI to the BABY JESUS.
17. The commemoration of thE MAGI’S visit, SYMBOLISING the manifestation of Christ to the world, MARKS the formal end of the Christmas season.
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19. Traditionally, the main focus of Christmas decorations in Italy is the Nativity scene, presepe or presepio in Italian. Every church has a presepe and they can be found in squares, shops, and other public areas. Displays often go beyond the manger scene and may even include a representation of the entire village.
20. Many people set up a Christmas crib in their house and figurines for nativity scenes are made in many parts of Italy, with some of the best coming from Naples and Sicily. Although the presepe is usually set up before Christmas, baby Jesus is added on Christmas Eve.
21. Vatican City Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City hosts the popular midnight mass given by the Pope inside Saint Peter's Basilica. At noon on Christmas day the Pope gives his Christmas message from the window of his apartment overlooking the square. A large tree and nativity scene are erected in the square before Christmas.
22. especially In southern Italy, living nativity scenes, in which real humans and animals participate, are extremely popular. in addition to the classic nativity scene, they may also feature a mock rural village, complete with artisans in traditional costumes working at their particular trades.
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24. The most famous, and probably the most elaborated, nativity cribs in italy are created in Naples.
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28. In Cesenatico, a nice resort on the Adriatic sea, a unique nativity scene is set on board the traditional fishermen’s boats along the pier.
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30. An international exhibition of nativity cribs from all over the world can be admired every year in the suggestive setting Of Verona’s amphitheatre.
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33. The Christmas tree is often brought into a home, but can also be used in the open, and can be decorated with christmas lights (originally candles),
34. ornaments, gARLANDS and TINSEL. An ANGEL or STAR is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the STAR OF BETHLEHEM from the NATIVITY.
35. ESPECIALLY IN THE PAST people USED TO decorate trees with food SUCH AS CANDIES, TANGERINES, MARZIPAN cakes, CHOCOLATE OR SUGAR DECORATIONS.
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37. CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE CENTRE OF MILAN ALONG THE SLOPES OF MOUNT INGINO – GUBBIO – THE BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE WORLD LIGHTS EVERY YEAR.
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39. Although Christmas Markets in Italy are not as big as in Germany, you'll find some good Christmas Markets - called Mercatini di Natale - in big cities and in many villages throughout italy. Trento market bolzano market
40. Trentino-Alto Adige Region in northern Italy is one of the best regions for Christmas markets. Many mountain towns hold Christmas markets selling everything from christmas items to beautiful local handicrafts.
41. After dark, the markets are decorated with lights and there are often other festivities to enjoy.
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44. The name of this plant means “Christmas Star”. Many people like having one in their homes during the christmas season.
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47. Traditions regarding the exchanging of gifts vary from region to region, as this might take place either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Presents are left for good children underneath the Christmas tree either by Santa Claus (called Babbo Natale) or, according to older traditions, by Baby Jesus himself.
48. According to tradition, the table must not be cleared after the christmas eve dinner, and some milk and biscuits should be left there, in case baby jesus needed something to eat when he passes at night.
49. In some areas of Italy, children might receive other gifts earlier (in some areas of the North, saint lucia brings gifts on 13th december) or later by “la befana" (on 6 th january)
50. St. Lucia is popular among children in some regions of North-Eastern Italy, where she brings gifts to good children and coal to bad ones.
51. Children are asked to leave some food for Lucia (a sandwich, or anything else) available at the moment and for the flying donkey that helps her carry gifts (flour, sugar, or salt), but they must not see Santa Lucia delivering gifts, or she will throw ashes in their eyes, temporarily blinding them.
52. La befana is a kind old witch who brings children toys on the Feast of the Epiphany. According to the legend, the Three magi stopped at her hut to ask directions on their way to Bethlehem and to invite her to join them. She declined, but soon repented. La befana
53. As she wasn’t able to reach the magi, she couldn’t find the baby jesus. Therefore, Each year, on the eve of the Epiphany, she sets out looking for him. She stops at each child's house leaving presents in case the baby jesus is there.
54. Children hang their stockings before going to sleep, hoping the befana will fill them up.
55. She is said to bring sweets and gifts to good children and charcoal (nowadays sweet charcoal!!!) or bags of ashes to naughty children.
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57. On christmas Eve, dinner is traditionally based on meatless dishes, as it is a vigil. Several fish dishes are served.
58. Tortelli with pumpkin Marinated fish Marinated eel Fried baccalà Tuna salad
59. In Northern Italy it is more common to celebrate Christmas on the 25th with a family lunch, consisting of different types of meat dishes, and local sweets.
64. Tu scendi dalle stelle o Re del cielo, e vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo, e vieni in una grotta al freddo e al gelo. O Bambino mio divino, io ti vedo qui a tremar. O Dio beato! Ah! Quanto ti costò l'avermi amato. Ah! Quanto ti costò l'avermi amato. A te che sei del mondo il Creatore, mancano i panni e il fuoco, o mio Signore. Mancano i panni e il fuoco, o mio Signore. Caro eletto pargoletto, quanto questa povertà più mi innamora, giacchè ti fece amor povero ancora. Giacchè ti fece amor povero ancora. TU SCENDI DALLE STELLE
65. Astro del ciel, Pargol divin, mite Agnello Redentor! Tu che i Vati da lungi sognar, tu che angeliche voci nunziar, luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor! luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor! Astro del ciel, Pargol divin, mite Agnello Redentor! Tu sol nato a parlare d'amor, Tu disceso a scontare l'error, luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor! Luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor! Astro del ciel, Pargol divin, mite Agnello Redentor! Tu di stirpe regale decor, Tu virgineo, mistico fior, luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor! Luce dona alle genti, pace infondi nei cuor! Astro del ciel (Stille Nacht)
66. Quel lieve tuo candor, neve, discende lieto nel mio cuor. Nella notte santa il cuor esulta d'amor, è Natale ancor. E viene giù dal ciel lento, un canto che consola il cuor che ti dice "Spera anche tu." Bianco natal (White Christmas) È Natale, non soffrire più. Oh...oh oh oh oh E viene giù dal ciel lento, un canto che consola il cuor che ti dice "Spera anche tu." È Natale, non soffrire più.
67. Din don dan din don dan din don din don dan suona allegro il campanil: è Natale in ogni cuore... Din don dan din don dan che felicità! oggi è nato il buon Gesù tra la neve che vien giù. La renna al polo nord scampanellando va, le strenne porterà a tutti i bimbi buoni e dalle alpi al mar i bimbi di quaggiù aspettano quei doni che regala il buon Gesù. Din don dan din don dan din don din don dan il Natale cambierà: tutti buoni renderà... Din don dan din don dan che felicità! oggi è nato il buon Gesù tra la neve che vien giù. Din, don, dan ( Jingle bells)
68. Venite fedeli, l'angelo ci invita, Venite venite a Betlemme! Nasce per noi Cristo Salvatore, Venite adoriamo, venite adoriamo, Venite adoriamo il Signore Gesù. La luce del mondo brilla in una grotta la fede ci guida a Betlemme!! Nasce per noi Cristo Salvatore, Venite adoriamo (Adeste Fideles) venite adoriamo… La notte risplende, tutto il mondo attende seguiamo i pastori a Betlemme! Nasce per noi Cristo Salvatore. Venite adoriamo… Il figlio di Dio, Re dell'universo, si è fatto bambino a Betlemme! Nasce per noi Cristo Salvatore. Venite adoriamo…
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