Christmas in Italy
The Christian world celebrates Christmas on December 25th each year.
In the lead-up to this date, the entire Christian world, particularly Italy as the capital of Christianity, prepares with various events, ceremonies, and customs.
Visiting Italy during this period is a celebration of light, colors, flavors, sounds, and sights.
To uncover the meaning of each detail, we present a glossary of Christmas terms.
Christmas – NATALE
Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th. The holiday, recognized by almost all denominations of Christianity, commemorates the birth of Jesus. According to the New Testament, Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, where the Church of the Nativity now stands. The announcement of the birth was on March 25th, nine months earlier, and is marked as the Feast of the Annunciation L’Annunciazione
The Advent
The Advent period begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (without a precise calculation of the number of weeks included in this period). The meaning of the word is ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’ – symbolizing the waiting or anticipation for the birth of Jesus on December 25th – Christmas.
Advent Calendar CALENDARIO DELL’AVVENTO
The calendar during the Advent season is found in every family’s home and there is an additional one in the town center. Each day, a window opens on the calendar revealing a surprise or blessing of some kind. Children await the surprises while residents look forward to community blessings.
The Advent Wreath CORONA d’AVVENTO
A custom that has established itself in Christian homes during the period of anticipation leading up to Christmas. Four weeks during which one candle is lit each week from the four that are contained within it. The wreath itself is circular and symbolizes the cycle of life, eternity, and God, who has no beginning and no end. The ring shape represents the connection between humanity and God.
The Four Candles LE QUATTRO CANDELE
The candles are placed within the wreath of Advent, and every Sunday during the four weeks of Advent, the family lights one candle. Lighting the fourth candle on the last Sunday before Christmas symbolizes the victory of light over darkness (similar to the Jewish Hanukkah). Each candle represents a different theme: First candle – the Candle of Prophets (who foretold the birth of the Messiah), Second candle – the Bethlehem Candle (in memory of the town where the Messiah was born), Third candle – the Shepherds’ Candle (in memory of the shepherds in the field, who were the first to know that the Messiah was born), Fourth candle – the Angels’ Candle (in memory of the angels who announced the coming of the Messiah and the good he would bring to humanity).
PRESEPE
A model of the birth of Jesus, which is placed in the living room of the house. The basic model is the birthplace – the cave in Bethlehem, Jesus in the manger, Mary leaning over the baby, and Joseph, the father, standing beside her with an ox and a donkey watching the event. Over time, the PRESEPI have grown and become very electronic and impressive, with some exhibits featuring movement and many other figures added.
Christmas Tree L’ALBERO DI NATALE
The famous fir tree is set up even before Christmas itself, but the tradition is to light and decorate it only on the evening of the 24th of the month. The tradition also insists on keeping the lights and decorations until January 6th, the day of the Epiphany (Visit of the Kings).
The custom of placing a tree during the height of winter, when darkness falls early, dates back to pagan times and was adopted by Christians.
In the past, the decorated tree stood outside the front door, but over the years it found its way inside and entered the home.
Christmas Markets MERCATINI DI NATALE
One of the holiday attractions that draws people of all faiths. Whether for shopping or to participate in a celebration of lights, colors, and joy. The origin of the Christmas market is in Germany, where it served economic and social purposes. It first arrived in Italy in 1991 in the cities of Bolzano and Bressanone, in the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige. The market is a celebration of gifts, food, souvenirs, decorations, and handicrafts typical of the region and the holiday itself.
