Legends associated with Christmas Eve and the celebration of Christmas
Bien qu’on n’en connaisse pas l’origine, quelques légendes circulent à travers la planète, le soir du réveillon de Christmas, principalement pendant la messe de minuit. Certaines sont terrifiantes, tandis que d’autres sont plutôt étonnantes. Mais quoi qu’il en soit, ces légendes courent toujours, et les vieillards éprouvent un réel plaisir à les raconter aux enfants.
In Franche-Comté, for example, legend has it that during midnight mass, a pyramidal rock would turn on itself three times in a row, at the very moment when the priest would read the genealogy of the Savior. In the Vosges, a similar legend circulates, to the effect that the turning stone would start moving at the sound of the bells of Remiremont, calling the faithful to midnight mass. Moreover, the legend of the turning stones seems very popular, since it is also found in the Pays de Caux, in Minières in Manche, in Saint-Mirel in Plénée-Jugon, as well as in Tancarville and Griquetot-sur-Ouville.
En France, il s’agirait plutôt de légendes relatives aux animaux. Une croyance populaire veut que les animaux conversent entre eux pendant la messe de minuit. D’ailleurs, cette légende est si répandue, qu’à Comimont, au Val-d’Ajol, certains croient toujours que les animaux s’éveillent juste à temps pour la messe de minuit, et qu’ils en profitent pour discuter ensemble. Dans le Colentin, les habitants sont persuadés qu’à minuit, les animaux de ferme s’agenouillent. Cette croyance est sans doute due à la foi naïve de ces habitants, qui persistent à croire que tous, humains et animaux, vénèrent le petit Jesus à Noël.
But the most terrifying legend of all is undoubtedly the one in which it is said that the Maufait, the name given to the devil, would circulate in the countryside, taking all kinds of forms. This legend refers to the exasperation felt by Satan, whose anniversary constantly reminds him of his failure, thus redoubling his hatred and rage towards humanity. Satan would sow pistoles in the paths and carroirs, the name given to rural crossroads, and would open gaping caves at the foot of crosses and rural oratories. At the bottom of these caves, there would be streams of gold. Anyone who tried to seize a pistole would bear a black imprint on their fingers, indelible, and causing a terrible burning sensation, comparable to that of the fires of hell.