Twas the Night Before Christmas

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Christkindel and Reveillon

Christmas Eve for French Canadians and Acadians, was the highlight of the holidays, when preparations were made for the Reveillon, the tree trimmed and the Creche, or  Nativity scene carefully placed underneath.  The entire family would attend midnight mass and come home to a feast of la tourtiere (meat pie) and Yule log; a chocolate cake in the shape of a log to symbolize the birch log burned in the fireplace on Reveillon.

I gew up with a similar tradition, though after mass we had pea soup; the best ever made; which was my father's specialty.  The tree would not be trimmed until the younger children went bed, and it would be part of our surprise on Christmas morning.  In my own home today, I always have my dinner on Christmas Eve, so that the following day I can enjoy with my family, and not have to spend it in the kitchen.

Christkindel and Pere Noel

Throughout the Middle Ages, especially in Eastern France; followers of Saint Nicolas were almost cult-like, as they conducted pilgrimages to pay homage to him.  However, by the sixteenth century, reformists wanted to place a greater emphasis on the image of the Christkindel or the Christ Child, to divert the fervour away from Saint Nicolas, and the custom of Christkindel visiting the children on December 24, was brought to Canada soon after.

Later; in Quebec and Acadia; it was Father Christmas or Pere Noel, who would pay them a visit and the children would put their shoes close to the fireplace so that he could fill them with gifts.  In some Quebec families, children hung their stockings at the end of their bed rather than hanging them close to the fireplace or putting out their shoes; and this is what I remember, though we usually 'borrowed' my dad's wool socks, since they were bigger.

The custom of Christkindel was still continued though, and in some communities young men and women dressed in white and would go from door to door; distributing gifts to good children, making them sing carols or recite prayers.   The Christkindel was played by a young girl veiled in white and crowned with fir boughs and burning candles. A frightening character called Hans Trapp would often accompy the Christkindel on his rounds; to beat children who had been naughty or to take them away in his big sack.  Fortunately, this rarely happened, but the threat of it was enough to make you want to be good.  Like Santa, he may have been keeping a list.

Christmas Eve

For fear one waif, this winter night, Should lack a garment's fold, Bring forth fair vesture, warm and bright, Lest the dear Christ-Child go cold! Nor let One Hungry from your door Fare sorrowing unfed, The whitest loaf bring from your store, Lest the Christ-child faint for bread. Hush mirth, to hark, this blessed eve,. The wanderer's weakest cry, The homeless at your hearth receive, Lest the Christ-child pass you by!

Edith Hope-Kinney c1906

Reveillon

The largest meal during the Christmas season in French-Canadian and Acadian homes, was always held on Christmas Eve and known as Reveillon.  This meal was like any other enjoyed the following day by the Anglo communities, and usually included turkey with chestnuts and oysters; or goose. with all the trimmings, and a cake called Buche De Noel. It is at Revillon that the traditonal birch log is lit, from last years charred remains, that would be kept burning until January 6,  or the Epiphany.

It was also said that reciting one thousand Hail Marys on December 24 would ensure obtaining a special favour. Therefore, while she was preparing the "réveillon" for Christmas Eve, mothers would recite their one thousand Hail Marys without fail, and then ask the Virgin Mary for small favours on behalf of one of her children or her husband; but never for herself.

Other Traditions and Superstitions Associated With Christmas Eve

It was believed that throughout the night, the sand on seashores, rocks on mountains, the oceans and valleys opened up in the light of the moon and the stars to reveal the rich treasures hidden in their depths: known as the Revelation of Hidden Treasures. At the  stroke of midnight, farm animals acquired the gift of speech, and oxen, cows, horses, pigs, and poultry began to speak to one another, exchanging strange secrets about humans, especially their masters. Bad luck, the risk of being struck dumb, or even death came to those who tried to spy on them.  Associated with this was the belief that at midnight, the farm cattle would kneel in the stable to worship the Infant Jesus who was born at midnight. In Canada, it was also believed, that on Christmas Eve, the dead would rise up from their graves and kneel at the foot of the cemetery cross where they would be met by the previous parish priest (now deceased), wearing a white surplice and golden stole.  This priest would say the prayers for the Nativity aloud and the departed would respond reverently.  Once the mass was finished, the dead would arise, look longingly at their former village and the house where they were born; then silently return to their coffins.

Another is that the devil dies at the very moment that the Saviour of the world is born, and to remind the faithful of the "Devil's funeral", the church's great bell tolled the death knell an hour before Midnight Mass.  As soon as the clock finished striking twelve, all the church bells began to ring out joyously to announce the birth of The Saviour.

On a lighter note, on Christmas Eve, young girls would resort to certain customs to try to discover the name or, at least the initials, of their future husbands. One of these customs involved melting lead and letting it run into cold water through a metal ring.  From the tracery formed by the metal,  girls would try to guess the initials of their future husband, his profession, his personality or his looks. Another method to look into their romantic future, was to fill a bowl with water and let it freeze on a window sill. On Christmas morning, the young girl only had to look at the loops and swirls which had formed in the ice to discover her heart's desire.

Mistletoe

The Druids considered the mistletoe to be a sacred plant, believing that it could cure illnesses, was an  antidote for poison, ensured fertility and protected you from witchcraft. Also, whenever enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce until the next day. Centuries ago, the custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill, emerged from the old superstition and it was also claimed that if a couple in love exchanged a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, and a a prediction of happiness and long life.

There is also a tragic story associated with the Mistletoe, immortalized in a song by Thomas Haynes Bayly. Supposedly based on the true story of a nobleman's daughter who, as a young and beautiful bride, plays hide and seek with her husband during the wedding feast.

The Mistletoe Bough by: Thomas Haynes Bayly

The mistletoe hung in the castle hall, The holly branch shone on the old oak wall, And the baron's retainers were blithe and gay, And keeping their Christmas holiday. The baron beheld with a father's pride His beautiful child, young Lovel's bride. While she with her bright eyes seemed to be The star of the goodly company. Oh! the mistletoe bough! Oh! the mistletoe bough! "I'm weary of dancing now", she cried, "Here, tarry a moment, I'll hide, I'll hide, And Lovel be sure thou'rt the first to trace The clue to my secret hiding place." Away she ran and her friends began Each tower to search and each nook to scan And young Lovel cried, "Oh where dost thou hide! I'm lonesome without thee, my own dear bride." Oh! the mistletoe bough! Oh! the mistletoe bough! They sought her that night and they sought her next day, And they sought her in vain till a week passed away, In the highest, the lowest, the loneliest spot, Young Lovel sought wildly but found her not.

And years flew by, and their grief at last Was told as a sorrowful tale long past, And when Lovel appeared the children cried, See! the old man weeps for his fairy bride. Oh! the mistletoe bough! Oh! the mistletoe bough! At length an oak chest that had long lain hid, Was found in the castle, they raised the lid, And a skeleton form lay mouldering there, In the bridal wreath of the lady fair. Oh! sad was her fate, in sportive jest She hid from her lord, in the old oak chest, It closed with a spring, and her bridal bloom Lay withering there, in a living tomb. Oh! the mistletoe bough! Oh! the mistletoe bough!

Not exactly a cheery Christmas song, but a Christmas song none the less, and to the romantic Victorians, it was probably one often sung.

A few more Christmas superstitions, include: If you thrash the garden with a flail on Christmas Day, wearing only a shirt, the grass will grow well the following year. The ashes of the Yule Log are supposed to fertilize the ground, get rid of cattle vermin, cure toothache and protect the house from fire and bad luck. If a shirt is spun, woven and sewn by a 'chaste maiden on Christmas Day, it is supposed to protect against lead and steel.

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