Catholic Activity: Customs of Christmas Eve Christmas Eve is
unique among all vigils. Joyous anticipation fills the hearts of
both child and adult, and all the Christian world has tried to
express this sentiment in a superabundance of images, customs
and traditions. It would be impossible to consider all of them.
Not only nations but even individual families have devised
splendid little customs to celebrate Christmas. Culinary art has
exceeded itself at this season. Since tomorrow is the feast, the
greater portion of the cooking must be done in advance. Swiss
krabeli, Greek malachrino (spice cake), and German lebkuchen and
stollen would delight the hearts of all. The very shape of
stollen is supposed to represent the Christ Child, and the folds
on top of the loaf swaddling clothes. Lebkuchen or life cake is
an excellent reminder of the Bread of Life. Among English
recipes are to be found everything from boar's head to plum
pudding, with accent upon hot buttered rum and eggnog. Polish
Wigilia Since the vigil w