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The Eve of Christmas
The Christmas season brings with it all sorts of individual, family, and community customs and rituals. Today on this holy of days, please share your favorite customs and rituals with the A Nun’s Life community. Does it have to do with food, decorations, people, events, outreach? 
Tell your story!
Sister Julie: My sibling sister gathers the family at her house after church. The house is filled with trays of cookies, including my Aunt Linda’s famous pizzelles, appetizers, and holiday cheer. This year my brother and his family are in town and my cousin is home from Iraq!
We exchange gifts with the extended family and then as the night draws to a close and it’s just me, my sibs, and spouses and children, we open one gift before bed. The next morning, all heaven breaks loose as the nephews stir up the family for Christmas morning goodness! Coffee, stockings, gifts, and total children sweetness!
Sister Maxine: For my family, Christmas Eve is a little different each year. I have five siblings, so the family gathering is literally a moveable feast from year to year. We often have a light dinner together on Christmas Eve, then the kids open gifts from their godparents. After that, we have the Reindeer Games — a marathon event consisting of Rummy, Scrabble, and Monopoly that goes late into the night.
Then we bundle up to go home. I usually stay with my mom. Driving through rural Iowa on a clear, cold night is a great experience. The sky glows with millions of stars, and their light sparkles on the snow-covered fields. For a moment, we imagine how the magi felt. 
On Christmas morning, my mom and I are usually up early. We have coffee together and greet the new day dawning.
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My family observed a very Italian Christmas custom. Our supper consisted of a fish stew, not unlike cioppino. My youngest sister has since taken over the cooking (She does it so well) and prepares a broth with tomatoes, onion, Italian parseley, and GARLIC, into which is added baby squid, clams in the shell, a firm white fish (maybe cod), shrimp and scallops. This is ladled over plain spaghetti.
When we were younger, we’d eat this meal at about 4 or 5, then take a little nap to be ready for Midnight Mass (which started at 11:30. Go fig.) After Mass, we’d come home all excited. We toasted Christmas with eggnog and then got to taste one from the mountain of Mom’s cookies (She’d prepare 14 different kinds to share with neighbors.) After that, we’d open presents, not getting to bed until about 3am.
Now as a Felician Franciscan, we observe Polish customs. We carol through the corridors of the convent ending in chapel for the Vigil Mass. Some of these carols are in Polish, or are based on Polish hymns. After Mass we process, still singing, to the dining room where the letter from the Provincial Minister is read. After that we share the oplatek, a wafer similar in consistency to the Eucharist. We each get a piece and share it with the other sisters, wishing them a blessed Christmas. Then there is the Vigilia meal at which you have to eat 9 different foods to simbolize the 9 months Mary carried Jesus. Being in the Southwest, the Polish foods share the spotlight with New Mexican cuisine and other foods. Another Mass is celebrated on Christmas Day, after which there is the distribution of gifts from “the house.” The Minister General’s letter is read and dinner is served.
Wow. I just realizedthat all I mentioned was food. Well, we share more than nutrition at this time. We also share what we’ve read or discuss the homily–a mini-faith sharing. A table of sisters with different stages of dementia often break into song (My convent has dinner and a floor show–who knew?)
Well, here’s to fish stew, international convent customs, floor shows and you. Have a Blessed Christmas season, everyone.
the caroling through the convent corridors sounds heavenly. i can’t say the same for fish stew!
Wishing the warmest Merry Christmas wish to Sister Maxine, Sister Julie and your entire community!!! Hoping you have a wonderful day filled with lots of love – surrounded by those you love and smiles to go on for miles.
what beautiful customs. both made me cry.
i wish you both the happiest of christmases.