TODAY - December 26
NIELS’ MORNING GREETINGS
ON: DECEMBER 26
New edition
TODAY’s LENGTH:
This day is here
in Belgium 1 minute longer than December 21. Its length is 7 hours and 59
minutes – from 08.44 to 16.43.
See more – also in
English – about where you are on: www.dagenslaengde.dk
TODAY’s NAME:
This day is called STEPHEN’s DAY. He was one of the very first Christians, who were killed because of his belief. He lived in the years 5-34.
The Apostle Stephen is linked to the popular legend about Stephen Stableboy, who was a waiter for King Herod. Stefan was the first one, who discovered the star of Bethlehem, and he immediately told the king about the star and its importance. Herod – who was eating a fried chicken – said immediately: This is impossible. Just as impossible it would be to make this cock on my plate to crow. The chicken crowed rightaway: Christus natus est – Christ has been born. Herod got so mad, that he immediately had Stefan killed.
The day’s name in Belgium is the same: SAINT ETIENNE.
TODAY’s EVENT:
2004: An earthquake and a tsunami in the Indian Ocean have
devastating results.
TODAY’s QUESTION:
Christmas
traditions in Portugal – what are they?
"Natal em Portugal" - Christmas in
Portugal
Christmas (Natal) is a very important period of the
year in Portugal: in the past for the strong religious symbol it represented
and nowadays for the deeply rooted traditions and shared values of Family,
Friendship, Peace and Charity.
Christmas Eve (24) and Christmas Day (25) are
celebrated with lots of Joy and enthusiasm bringing Families and people
together to share gifts and gastronomic delights.
In the beginning of December children start writing
letters to "Pai Natal" (Santa Claus) asking him to bring gifts and
sweets to be put in their shoes near the Christmas tree (or the chimney) during
the night of 24th December.
Decoration of the Christmas tree and preparation of the "Presépio"
(Nativity) is a magic moment for children (and parents alike).
In the kitchen the activity goes crescendo from
mid-December on to prepare all the traditional dishes and desserts until the
23rd when the "Bacalhau"
(codfish) is put into large basins of water to lose its salt, the turkey is
stuffed and the last desserts are prepared such as "Rabanadas" (fried slices of bread
rolled in sugar and cinnamon); "Toucinho
do céu" (a delicious and rich cream prepared with egg yolks, almond
powder, sugar and walnuts); "Sonhos"
(a kind of pumpkin doughnuts served with a light sugar syrup)…
On December 24 the whole Family and close friends
gather in the evening to celebrate "Natal".The table is covered with
the most beautifully embroidered linen white table-cloth. In the most
traditional families diner is served quite early in order to allow the group to
go to Church to celebrate the "Missa
do galo" (midnight mass) and "Nascimento do Menino Jesus"
(birth of Little Jesus).
The most traditional dish one can find on all tables,
poor or rich, is the "Bacalhau
cozido" (boiled codfish) served with boiled potatoes, eggs,
vegetables and seasoned with olive oil, vinegar and raw garlic. In the Northern
Oporto regions it is also very common to eat octopus.
As a second service, a variety of meat roasts is
brought to the table: turkey, lamb or "leitão assado" (suckling
piglet) all served with puffed potatoes or rice.
Then comes the most incredible variety of desserts
which recipes differ slightly from region to region but have one thing in
common: they are prepared with lots of eggs, sugar, almonds and all sorts of
nuts!
The "Ceia" (Supper) is in the programme for
those coming back from the "Midnight mass": a hot "Canja" (chicken or turkey soup)
or in the Northern regions "Caldo
Verde" (a soup prepared with green cabbage) is served.
Then the most magic moment - specially for the
Children – arrives: the opening of the gifts by order of age: the younger first
!In some families, probably the most disciplined, kids go to bed and only
open their gifts the next morning meaning that in some places anxiety is at
it's maximum until very early on 25 December.
That day is usually passed with siblings or with other
people who could not be present during the Christmas Eve. The atmosphere is in
general warm and relaxed: some delicious special preparations are made
with the left overs: just to mention "Roupa velha" (kind of stew prepared with onions and garlic
fried in olive oil, mixed with the rest of cod fish, octopus, potatoes,
vegetables, olives, hard boiled eggs and fresh herbs such as coriander and
parsley).
Until the dawn …
The New Year's Eve is also a moment of celebration and
partying: the most courageous run the "São Silvestre's" night race or
plunge into the sea (average: 15 ° C) on the first day of the New Year. The
rest - to which I belong - dance, drink and eat all night long … until
Sunrise.
The Season's Celebrations come to an end on "Dia dos Reis": on 6th January where a special cake is
prepared with dried and crystallised fruit. A "fava" (kidney bean) is
hidden in the middle of the pastry and the one who gets it in his or her slice
wins the King or the Queen's crown! The Year may begin under the best
auspices.
QUESTION FOR TOMORROW:
Holy flame - where does that tradition come from? And what does it mean?
47 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT EUROPE:
EUROPE AT WORK www.europe-at-work.be
TODAY’s QUOTE & FAMOUS PEOPLE :
1.
Yesterday’s quote:
The smile is the
shortest distance between two people.
This was said by the
Danish-American entertainer Victor Borge.
2.
Today’s quote:
The Buck stops here!
Who among today’s persons said that?
3. Famous
people born on this day:
1891: Henry Miller ( died 1980 )
1893: Mao Tse Dong ( died 1976 )
1914: Richard Widmark ( died 2008 )
1939: Tina Turner
1945: John Walsh
4. Famous
people died on this day:
1890: Heinrich Schliemann ( 68 years )
1972: Harry S. Truman ( 88 years )
2001: Nigel Hawthorne ( 72 years )
2006: Gerald Ford ( 93 years )
Niels Jørgen Thøgersen
www.simplesite.com/kimbrer +
EUROPE-AT-WORK www.europe-at-work.be
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