Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve

These pictures are of the nativity scene that my husband has created in our diningroom. It is quite large, takes up a whole bookcase (books removed!). Some of the pieces date back to his childhood, while others have been collected along the way.
Tonight is "Christmas" as much as tomorrow here. I will be hosting 18 people for dinner tonight. We will exchange our gifts (mostly just for the children) and eat, eat, eat. The menu tonight is fish-based. We'll have smoked salmon, raw mollusks, and two or three other fish dishes. At midnight, or earlier if the kids are fading, we have the traditional procession around the house singing "Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle," or "You Come Down From the Stars" an Italian Christmas carol about baby Jesus. The procession is organised in order of age, with the youngest member of the family (who is my son) leading the way, carrying the tiny figure of baby Jesus around the house and finally laying him to rest in his crib in the manger of the nativity scene. If you notice, there's no baby Jesus in the manger in the photo at the top.
Sorry about the poor quality of these photos...Santa, remember I want a camera for Christmas? I've been good, really I have!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Very sweet Nativity...I whisper to Santa...abt new camera.....Best wishes

Greg Dimitriadis said...

Hello!
I have an award for you at my blog, just to say thanks for the beautiful and interesting pictures youĆ¹ve been posting! You take beautiful pictures of an amazing place that I should get round to visit at some point. You do not have to acknowledge or pass on the award if you don't want to.
Cheers!

Livio Bonino said...

Buon Natale Saretta. Auguri e complimenti per il menu. Ti auguro di trovare sotto l'albero domani, una bellissima macchina fotografica.

Unknown said...

Here we also celebrate Christmas tonight and tomorrow.
Thank you for the congratulations.
Wish you a very happy Christmas!

Anonymous said...

wishing you and your family a merry xmas and a happy new year!!!
i have been reading your blog everyday
maria

Chuck Pefley said...

Buon Natale, Saretta! What a wonderful tradition! And all those childhood memories for your husband to pass on! Thanks for sharing.

nobu said...

It's a wonderful scean.
Merry Christmas.

Pietro Brosio said...

Hello Saretta!
Merry Christmas!