Noel

 L e N o ë l ﻿& C h r i s t m a s


 * Christmas Traditions in France: **

On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplaces in their houses. Their shoes are later filled with toys from //Père Noël//, or Santa Claus. Small toys, sweets, fruit, and nuts can also be found on the family’s Christmas tree, or //le sapin de Noël// in France. Almost all people in France display a //Créche//, or Nativity Scene. Their Nativity Scenes are well-crafted and are passed down from generation to generation. The Christmas tree is not a very popular item in France to have around Christmas time. Instead, the French use a Yule log as a symbol of Christmas. The Yule log is not used anymore, but the French still incorporate it into their Christmas traditions. In 1879, the Yule log became a dessert served at Christmas dinner. Because you can’t eat a log, the French took cake, rolled it up, and put a filling inside; that dessert is called //le bûche de Noël//. In southern France, people burn logs on Christmas Eve, and keeps the log burning until New Year’s Day. Another tradition that is commonly seen among French families is the Thirteen Christmas Dessert tradition. In Provence, the people are involved in a ritual called //le gros souper//. In this ritual families eat a Christmas meal, and end with 13 desserts. These desserts symbolize Jesus and his 12 apostles. Everyone at the meal must taste each of the 13 desserts. Many French families leave their leftover food on the table incase Virgin Mary stops by. In northern France, children get presents from their parents on December 6, which is St. Nicholas Day, instead of on Christmas Day.


 * Christmas Traditions in the United States: **

In the United States, we have many different traditions from the French. During the month of December, families start to decorate their houses with Christmas items. Most Americans decorate their front doors with wreaths and garland that are decorated with ribbon and ornaments. Many families also hang lights around the outside of the house to brighten the street with sparkling lights. Indoors, families set up one Christmas tree, or more, and decorate it with ornaments, ribbons, lights, and sometimes popcorn. At the top of the tree, a star is placed. On the fireplace hang Christmas stockings to be filled with little toys and candy. Many American families set up nativity scenes around their house and some put up Santa Claus statues. In the house there can also be decorative Christmas plates found. Ornaments are a large part of the traditional American Christmas. Many people collect them and pass them down from generation to generation. Ornaments are a popular present when it comes to buying someone something for Christmas. Another part of Christmas that many children do during the month of December is make gingerbread houses out of gingerbread cookies, icing, and candy. On Christmas Eve, children set out cookies and milk in hopes that Santa Claus will eat them. The next morning, children wake up to find presents under their Christmas tree and in their stockings, and the cookies and milk to be gone. A traditional family Christmas dinner is done on Christmas day with grandparents and other family members. Turkey, stuffing, green beans, and pies are a part of the traditional meal eaten on Christmas.



**French Christmas Songs:**


 * Jingle Bells/Vive Le Vent **

media type="youtube" key="_-QLDqatEjY" width="425" height="350"

//Vive le vent, vive le vent,// //Vive le vent d'hiver,// //Qui s'en va sifflant, soufflant// //Dans les grands sapins verts, oh !// || (Refrain) Live the wind, live the wind, Live the winter wind, Which goes whistling, blowing In the big green Christmas trees, oh! || //Vive le temps d'hiver,// //Boules de neige et Jour de l'An// //Et Bonne Année grand-mère !// //(Fin du refrain)// || Live the weather, live the weather, Live the winter weather, Snowballs and new year's day and happy new year Grandma! (End of refrain) || //Tout blanc de neige blanche// //Un vieux monsieur s'avance// //Avec sa canne dans la main.// //Et tout là-haut le vent// //Qui siffle dans les branches// //Lui souffle la romance// //Qu'il chantait petit enfant, oh !// || Along the long path All white from the white snow An old man advances With his cane in his hand. And all above the wind Which whistles in the branches Blows on him the romance That he sang as a young child, oh! || //Aux mille bougies// //Qu'enchantent vers le ciel// //Les cloches de la nuit.// //Vive le vent, vive le vent// //Vive le vent d'hiver// //Qui rapporte aux vieux enfants// //Leurs souvenirs d'hier, oh !// || Merry, merry Christmas To the thousand candles Which delight toward heaven The night's bells. Live the wind, live the wind Live the winter wind Which brings to old kids Their memories of yesterday, oh! || //Descend vers le village,// //C'est l'heure où tout est sage// //Et l'ombre danse au coin du feu.// //Mais dans chaque maison// //Il flotte un air de fête// //Partout la table est prête// //Et l'on entend la même chanson, oh !// || And the old man Goes down toward the village, It's the time when everyone is good And the shadow dances near the fire. But in each house There's a festive air Everywhere the table is ready And you hear the same song, oh! ||
 * //(Refrain)//
 * //Vive le temps, vive le temps,//
 * //Sur le long chemin//
 * //Refrain// || Refrain ||
 * //Joyeux, joyeux Noël//
 * //Refrain// || Refrain ||
 * //Et le vieux monsieur//
 * //Refrain// || Refrain ||

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I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/J’ai Vue Maman Embrasser le Père Noël

media type="youtube" key="WU5e-TFY348" width="425" height="350" Moi, j'ai vu petite maman hier soir  En train d'embrasser le Père-Noël  Ils étaient sous le gui  Et me croyaient endormi  Mais sans en avoir l'air,  J'avais mes deux yeux entr'ouverts  Ah si papa était v'nu à passer  Je m'demande ce qu'il aurait pensé  Aurait-il trouvé naturel  Parce qu'il descend du ciel <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Que maman embrasse le Père-Noël.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I saw Mommy last night <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Kissing Santa Claus <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> They were under the mistletoe <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> And thought I was asleep <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> But without looking like it <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I had my two eyes half-open <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Oh if Daddy had happened by <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I wonder what he would have thought <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> If he would have found it normal <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Because he comes down from the sky <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> That Mommy kisses Santa Claus.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Moi, j'ai vu petite maman hier soir <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> En train d'embrasser le Père-Noël <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> J'ai bien cherché pourquoi <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Et j'ai deviné, je crois <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> C'est parce qu'il m'avait apporté <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> De si beaux jouets <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Aussi pour l'an prochain, j'ai bon espoir <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Qu'il viendra encore à mon appel <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Et de nouveau, je f'rai semblant <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> De dormir profondément <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Si maman embrasse le Père-Noël.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I saw Mommy last night <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Kissing Santa Claus <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I really tried to figure out <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> And I guessed, I think <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> It's because he brought me <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Such nice toys <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Also for next year, I really hope <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> That he will come again to my call <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> And again, I will pretend <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> To sleep deeply <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> If Mommy kisses Santa Claus.

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Christmas Vocabulary in French


 * <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold',sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">French Word  ||  <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial Rounded MT Bold',sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">Definition   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Crèche  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nativity Scene   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Le Père Fouettard  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Le Père Noël’s evil counterpart that goes around and spanks little children   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Pain d’épice  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Gingerbread   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bibelot  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ornaments   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Le gui  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mistletoe   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Traîneau  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sleigh   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Surce d’orge  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Candy Cane   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Flowcon de neige  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Snowflakes   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Soulier de Noël  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stocking   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lait de poul  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Eggnog   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chant de Noël  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Carols   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Renne  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Reindeer   ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lutin  ||  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 14pt;">Elves   ||

Websites:

Pictures:

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Information:

[|www.santas.net/frenchchristmas.htm]

[|www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/noel/angl/sauge.htm]

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