Joyeux Noël -- Merry Christmas, from France!
Christmas has been celebrated in France for about 1,500 years, meaning that there has been a long, long time for a multitude of traditions to be created in conjunction with the religious solemnity of the season, including many customs that pre-date Christianity, as is the case in nearly every country of the world.
Everyone knows that the French love food. Few people know, however, that the French of all classes and from all regions did not become so fanatical about food until the 1600s, when noble families, particularly Louis XIV, began to employ armies of chefs. The love of food spread to everyone and eventually became synonymous with good taste and excellence -- the envy of the world. French holiday feasts are known as réveillon and preparations begin days before the meal is actually served. Holiday feasts are, unsurprisingly, a time for gatherings of extended family and the réveillon is often hosted by one of the older members of the family.
It is nearly impossible to categorize the foods served at a réveillon because French cuisine is so regional -- and each family may have, almost certainly has, its own version of traditional meat dishes, pastries, cakes, breads and other sweets. In the coastal regions, such as Marseilles, lobster is often served.
One tradition, common to other countries where Roman Catholicism is the prevalent faith, nativity scenes are popular and each family will hve one. In Provence, ceramic figures of the various people and animals, known as santons, are famous for their beautiful workmanship. Tradition has it that St. Francis of Assisi brought the custom of making nativity scenes to France. In many places, there are scenes with live actors, right down to a real baby playing the part of the Holy Infant, Jesus.
Wherever Christmas is celebrated around the world, childen await the arrival of some version of Santa. In France, he is known as Père Noël. Long ago, children would await the arrival of Jesus himself. At some point, Père Noël began coming in His place. Children put their shoes near the hearth where this Father Christmas will leave them gifts -- only, of course, if they have been good all year.
If you can't go to France, you can, with some practice, patience and attention to details, bring a French flair as you celebrate Christmas the French way!