Absolutely no holiday or observance has as many traditions, tales, myths and songs — especially songs, whew the songs — than Christmas. And it’s not even close.
I recognize that not everyone celebrates the religious meaning of the holiday but most folks at least gather with family and friends, exchange gifts, eat a nice meal, and/or drink a glass or two of holiday cheer. Personally, I’m big on the drinking of holiday cheer.
In our family the major festivities and feast were on Christmas Eve. Dad was the primary cook, and even though he didn’t eat meat on Dec. 24 — a tradition carried out in his family growing up — he always made a roast and a ham and meatballs for the guests, along with various fish and seafood dishes. He would chow down only on smelt and baccalà and shrimp — until midnight, which is when he would warm up some of the meat for himself, not putting a fork into it until 12:01!
Tradition in our house was that Mom and some of us would go to Midnight Mass — not Dad, who wasn’t exactly the best-practicing Catholic and often joked the church would collapse if he walked in on Christmas Eve. By the time we returned home, Dad would just be polishing off a large plate of meat. With a smile on his face.
My guess is that all of you have memories of your favorite traditions too. Or maybe you are in the middle of making those memories right now.
But speaking of those tales and myths surrounding parts........