An Italian Christmas…
Kemira Richards

An Early Christmas
• In Italy, the Christmas season is so anticipated
that the religious celebration begins early in
December!
……
………….
…...
• It continues throughout the month.

GIFTS
• Gifts are sometimes exchanged on
*December 25*
• But some families wait until…………........
E P I P H A N Y (the celebration in
remembrance of Magi’s visit to the baby
Jesus), a holiday celebrated on *January
6* to formally exchange gifts

FOODS
• A strict feast is observed the day before
Christmas & ends 24 hours later
• With an elaborate celebratory Christmas feast!!!
• The dinner excludes meat items and is based
mainly on fish***but its permissible to eat meat
on Christmas Day.

Christmas
Food!!
Merry
Christmas
Gifts!!!

*Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle / Come down from the Stars*
Italian English
Tu scendi dalle stelle You come down from the stars
O Re del Cielo Oh King of Heavens,
E vieni in una grotta And you come in a cave
Al freddo al gelo In the cold, in the frost.
E vieni in una grotta And you come in a cave
Al freddo al gelo. In the cold, in the frost.
O Bambino mio Divino Oh my Divine Baby
Io ti vedo qui a tremar, I see you trembling here,
O Dio Beato! Oh Blessed God
Ah, quanto ti costò Ah, how much it cost you,
L’avermi amato. Your loving me.
Ah, quanto ti costò Ah, how much it cost you,
L’avermi amato. Your loving me.
A te che sei del mondo, For you, who are of all the world
Il creatore, The creator,
Mancano panni e fuoco, No robes and fire,
O mio Signore. Oh my Lord,
Mancano panni e fuoco, No robes and fire,
O mio Signore. Oh my Lord.
Caro eletto pargoletto, Dear chosen one, little infant,
Quanto questa povertà This dire poverty,
Più mi innamora, Makes me love you more.
Giacchè ti fece amor Since Love made you
Povero ancora. Poor now.
Giacchè ti fece amor Since Love made you
Povero ancora. Poor now.