Remembering Christmas Past

Our Family Gathering Christmas 2007

Although steeped in tradition and celebrated for 2000 years, Christmas has evolved along with our Western Culture.

In days gone by, it was primarily a Religious Holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In pre-Christian times, ancient societies celebrated the Winter Solstice marking the end of the darkest days of winter and welcoming the New Year. Today there is more emphasis on Santa Claus, gift giving and feasting. The common denominator is that we gather together with our friends and family to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate life.

Many of us still love the traditional Christmas Carols. Nothing can convey the solemnity and mystery of the Nativity as “Silent Night“ Some songs, however, have become outdated. Does anyone know what a “Figgy Pudding” is? It must be some sort of dessert made with figs, but no one I know has ever made a figgy pudding, much less eaten one.

And then there is the famous line, “Don we now our gay apparel” which today has totally different connotations, and certainly not what the composer originally intended to say!

I have many happy memories of past Christmases and would like to share some of them with you.

As a child, Christmas always began with the annual trip to Hudson‘s Department Store in Detroit. I remember standing in line for hours, waiting to see Santa’s Village and sit on the knee of Santa himself. The village consisted of miniature robotic Elves posed in various settings with lots of mini lights and fake snow. It was hot and crowded, but we forgot about all those discomforts when we walked through that wondrous fairyland, our eyes wide with amazement.

In the weeks leading up to the big day, we sometimes participated in Christmas pageants at church and the Teutonia Club. This is the German Club in Windsor Ontario. Everyone was dressed in their finery as songs were sung, German verses were recited and St. Nick arrived. It was a production line as the children were brought up on stage, starting with the youngest. I remember the noise and chaos in the large hall as we waited our turn. Now, years later, I appreciate all the work and expense that was involved.

Because we didn’t have a fireplace, I was concerned about poor Santa. I was worried that he would climb down the chimney and end up in the furnace. My mother reassured me that he had a special key to the front door. Only then could I sleep in peaceful slumber. Santa was safe.

We upheld the traditions of our forefathers in Europe. Christmas Eve was a day of fasting so we ate fish instead of meat. My dad was the chief cook that day as he made the Fish Paprikash. It was a delicious fish soup made with fresh Carp ,onions, tomato juice and wine. My maternal grandmother was in charge of making the homemade noodles. She kneaded the dough and then rolled it out on a board. It was then cut into strips about 3” or 8 cm. wide. The strips were then lightly floured to prevent sticking and stacked one on top of the other. I still remember her skilful cutting, as she quickly sliced through the strips with a sharp knife, miraculously avoiding her fingertips.

We gathered around the table, said a prayer and enjoyed the soup. Fresh cut onions and roe (fish eggs) were sometimes added to the bowl and were considered a delicacy. It was the poor man’s version of caviar but we didn’t mind. After the soup, we each got a portion of the boiled fish and some potatoes. Carp is full of tiny bones and it required some skill and patience to avoid them. Not everyone appreciated this meal and my mother usually cooked some other seafood such as shrimp and scallops to tempt their discriminating palates.

We were well sated as we gathered in the living room. The tree was aglow with lights and ornaments. Our favourites were the little red bell and the birds that attached to the branch with a clip.

We were all eager to open our gifts (it was our custom to open gifts on Christmas Eve), but first we had to sing three Christmas Carols for our parents and grandparents. We tried to contain our excitement but soon tore off the wrappings of each gift with greedy delight. The entire living room was knee deep in wrapping paper in a matter of minutes.

Cookies and chocolates were offered but we were too full to eat.

Soon 12 am approached and we drove to church for Midnight Mass. St. Michael’s Church was resplendent in it’s holiday décor. Two huge white poinsettias flanked the altar and a pair of long slim trees covered in lights stood on each side. To the right was a large nativity scene; a manger with all the figurines nestled in straw and baby Jesus in the center. We celebrated Mass, the Choir sang our praise to the heavens and our Christmas was complete.

The next day as other families were just getting up for Christmas morning, we lingered in our pj’s and played with our new toys.

Christmas Dinner was always a turkey with all the trimmings at my maternal Grandparents’ house. The entire family gathered there, including aunts, uncles and cousins. Since the dining room was a bit small, the children ate in the TV room. After the meaI, the men stayed at the table and played cards. Cigarettes were not yet considered unhealthy and soon big clouds of smoke filled the room as they played for kernels of corn. 10 kernels of corn = 1 cent. It wasn’t exactly high stakes poker, but the games remained lively as they called out their trump cards and pounded them on the table. Meanwhile, the women sat in the living room and chatted about this and that. The children were left up to their own devices to find amusement. We sometimes played board games such as Monopoly and Parcheesi.

We also paid a visit to our Paternal Grandparents. My Oma offered us her crescent cookies filled with plum jam and sprinkled with fruit sugar. Her specialty was a Spritz cookie pronounced “Gex” ( I’m not sure of the correct spelling). Opa always had stories to share and the discussions that followed gave everyone an opportunity to contribute their own perspectives.

I was in Fort Lauderdale for Christmas 1968. It was very strange to see the colored lights strung on palm trees and Santa figures perched on green lawns. My friend and her grandparents were very gracious, but I missed my family terribly.

On Christmas Eve 1972 my Uncle Adam passed away suddenly. He had been suffering from stomach cancer and the chemo treatments proved too much for his heart. We were all devastated. My grandparents never put up a tree after that year. Each Christmas was a painful reminder of this tragedy, but life goes on as it must.

As everything changes. so did our Christmases. We got married and merged our traditions with those of our spouses and their families. As we raised our own families, we formed new traditions while honouring the old.

One of the most memorable Christmases was at my parent’s home in the mid-1980’s. My siblings, cousins and their families were all there. My dad slipped out quietly and soon we heard a knock at the door and a lot of Ho-Ho-Ho’s. It was Santa Claus come to deliver his gifts! The kids were all jumping for joy as they gathered around Santa. If they suspected my dad, no one said anything to ruin the magic. It was one of the best Christmases we ever had and one of my dad’s finest moments.

Now as our lives continue, the next generation is gathering for the Holidays. It is our turn to create memories for our kids and grandkids. Many things have changed, but many things remain the same. The Spirit of Christmas is alive and well in the love we share with family and friends. Love is the eternal bond that brings us all together. Love has always been there since that very First Noel.

Merry Christmas Everybody!