What Italian Christians do to celebrate Christmas
A vendor sells food during the Christmas season in Naples, Italy. Photo canva.com, EPA, Cesare Abbate
Christian Life
Christian perspectives on Christmas vary greatly and even among evangelical churches. Why does Italy approach the holiday in different ways? The answers lie within our history and culture.
Italy has been a predominantly Catholic nation for hundreds of years. That changed until the mid-19th century when it developed a rich and intricate liturgical calendar surrounding Christmas. Once adhered to by almost the entire population, the calendar continues to influence the festive season. It encompasses the celebration of Christmas on December 25th and marks a series of dates and events that revolve around what is described as the “mystery of Christ.”
Alongside this liturgical framework, other traditions of popular devotion have emerged over the centuries. Since the 13th century, the nativity scene—the presepe—has been a central feature of Italian Christmas. Over time, these nativity scenes have evolved into a proper art form, with intricate, handcrafted figurines placed in wooden or recycled-material structures, a tradition many Italian families purchase or create.
Nativity scenes also take on a theatrical dimension, with numerous small towns across Italy organising live re-enactments of the nativity story. These artistic and religious traditions are often intertwined with superstitions, giving rise to practices such as placing the Baby Jesus figure in a manger on Christmas Eve and accompanying this with prayers or acts of veneration.
The figure of Baby Jesus, particularly in the Roman Catholic tradition, holds a distinct and symbolic significance. It is often seen as separate from the adult Jesus. In popular culture, Baby Jesus in the arms of Mary has inspired veneration and an exalted perception of Mary as the “Mother of God,” capable of interceding for sinners before her son.
In addition to this blend of Catholic traditions and cultural customs, secularisation and consumerism have introduced new Christmas customs, focusing on gifts, extravagant feasts, decorations, and market-driven events. This phenomenon mirrors trends in most Western societies.
Unsurprisingly, in a country renowned for its culinary excellence, Christmas in Italy is also a showcase of many diverse culinary traditions. Each region boasts dozens of Christmas recipes with ancient origins, lovingly preserved and passed down through families.
In this context, when evangelical churches first emerged in Italy in the second half of the 19th century, their initial response often involved rejecting these deeply rooted pagan traditions.
Even today, some evangelical churches emphasise that Christmas is solely about the incarnation of Christ and His coming into the world to bring salvation to those who believe in Him. Some evangelical churches may even refrain from mentioning Christmas during the Sundays leading up to December 25th, highlighting that the date is a cultural convention rather than a biblical mandate.
There are varying sensitivities about which traditions to embrace or exclude from family celebrations. This stems from an awareness that many customs have pagan origins and a sense of being a Christian minority in a nation that identifies as Christian but follows extra-biblical traditions.
Upholding the principle of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) at Christmas is challenging when faced with deeply ingrained societal traditions. Yet, evangelical Christians can and should maintain their unity despite differing views on traditions and rituals surrounding Christmas. Ultimately, regardless of how it is celebrated or the traditions that have developed over time, we hold fast to one certainty:
“Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11
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