In 2023, according to a La Vie IFOP survey, 41% of French people said they would install a nursery at home in December. Among them, only 56% declared themselves Catholic, 35% of other faiths and 24% of no religion.
Regardless of their faith, for 88% of these French people, setting up a Christmas nativity scene is a family tradition carried on since childhood. For others it is above all a decoration for a party like any other, or a pleasant activity to do with their children. Only 40% see nursery school as a place of prayer.
“It’s my only mass of the year, but I’ve never missed Christmas mass”
Even though Lucile was unable to convince her atheist husband to install a Christmas nativity scene in their home, she religiously attends Christmas mass every year. “ It’s my only mass of the year, I don’t think I’ve ever missed it. When I was younger, I was very involved in the Young Christian Workers (JOC), but I never went to mass much. However, through the JOC I participated in religious celebrations and questioned my faith a lot. »
Today the young woman has moved away a little from the Catholic religion. “ I often disagree with the Church as an institution; its rituals sometimes seem outdated to me. However, I still consider myself a believer and live my beliefs rather through my daily actions. We have a children’s Bible and I easily talk about this topic with my daughters. »
As she has done since she was a child, Lucile goes to church every year with part of her family to celebrate Christmas mass. “ Everyone in the family is free to come or not. I go with my parents and some of my brothers and sisters, or with my mother-in-law and her mother. My husband is a guest of our daughters, for the moment I am not taking them with me, the delay and duration of the mass do not seem relevant for them. »
In fact, if midnight mass doesn’t always happen literally at midnight, it sometimes starts around 7 or 8 pm.
A universal message of peace and love
For the young mother, Christmas mass sends a more consensual message than weekly masses, which she also notes.” reactions “. Churches tend to take care of their Christmas mass, transmitting a universal message that evokes values of sharing, love and peace, capable of reaching as many people as possible, especially those who come only once a year. It is also necessary the decoration, sometimes with a giant nativity scene.
Lucile appreciates the speech at midnight mass, which unites people, but it is also an opportunity for her to take stock of her faith annually. “ This is an opportunity to remind myself that despite my differences with the religious world, I am still part of this community of believers. »
Although midnight mass is a dream come true in Christmas television movies, it is actually not popular folklore in France. According to a 2023 Statista study, 53% of French people declare themselves Catholic, of which 5% go to mass regularly and 9% go to Christmas mass, which is less attended than Palm Sunday or All Saints’ Day mass.
Nativity scene and other traditions
Although the nativity scene is absent from Lucile’s house, it is still very present among her parents and in-laws during the Christmas period. She takes advantage of these facilities to talk to her daughters about religion and answer their questions. “ There are traditions that I like to tell them. In my family, when the nativity scene is installed, the wise men are placed at the other end of the nativity scene, and they join little by little until they arrive at the Epiphany as Jesus arrives at Christmas. »
The young woman hopes one day to convince her husband to install one in their home. “ I love the simplicity of the bedroom, this child born in a stable, the hope that his birth brings, the memory of a little good and love in a world where sometimes it is difficult to see them. The symbol of family in the children’s bedroom is also important, knowing how to enjoy your loved ones, remembering that with simple things you can do anything. »
Although she enjoys Christmas mass and the nativity scene, Lucile does not celebrate the Advent season, which occurs from 1um to December 24, because it has less meaning for her.
But she particularly likes the fact that Christmas brings with it a message of hope and love. “ It’s very positive and tells me a lot about my life. I also like religious Christmas carols which are a different way of sending a message. »
To testify about Madmoizelle, write to us at:
[email protected]
We can’t wait to read you!
Add Madmoizelle to your favorites on Google News so you don’t miss any of our articles!
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
