Footprints on crackling snow. Visible breath. Clanging bells following midnight mass. All these, on an often sub-zero Christmas Eve, commemorated the beginning of the traditional Quebecker Christmas celebration. Though few still attend midnight mass, opening presents at the stroke of midnight is still a popular tradition. Many young children fall willingly asleep at 8pm in order to give "Le Père Noël" (Father Christmas) time to deliver their gifts, knowing they will wake at midnight with exuberant celebration, candy, and gifts.

Though Christmas may officially begin at the stroke of midnight, Christmas decorations and publicity are out in full-force the day after Halloween. Why? Quebec's Thanksgiving, which is only mildly celebrated with no days off of school or work, is in mid-October. Therefore the only holiday to look forward to after Halloween is Christmas.  (Easter is Quebec's counterpart to the American Thanksgiving, including days off of work and school).

Where is Jesus in all of this? Most with a Catholic background use only the phrase "the little Jesus" any time He comes up in a conversation (which is rare). They would not even say the word "Jesus" by itself. To many He is forever the little baby in a manger, the little Son of the one they (or their parents) sometimes pray to… Mary. His identity begins and ends in a manger scene that may or may not be placed under the annual Christmas tree.

Jesus has pretty much been wiped out of the popular culture's collective consciousness. Every November (to pre-empt the snow, wind, and sub-zero temperatures which arrive in December) "la parade du Père Noël" (the parade of Father Christmas), attracts tens of thousands in downtown Montreal. In the two times we have attended the hours-long parade, we have not seen one single reference to Jesus-Christ… other than in the profanity between parents jockeying for the viewing position of their children.

Christmas day for many represents a time to consume a traditional turkey and sweets, followed by much dancing and flowing alcohol in the evening. And back when people married in Quebec, they were traditionally engaged Christmas day... with the wedding the following summer. (Most of Martine's  aunts were engaged Christmas day)

December 26th brings something that does not exist in the States: "Le rigodon." Between Christmas and the New Year a unique genre of music is blasted all over the Province that is not played at any other time of year (much like "Christmas music" in the States is only played before Christmas).. It is a type of traditional folk music, popular for traditional Quebec group dancing.

Though Christmas celebrations in Quebec do have a religious Catholic heritage, believe it or not, its current secularization appears to be even two or three steps ahead of its American counterpart.

PHOTOS: Montreal Christmas Parade