Today's Date:

| French Christmas Customs | Christmas Tree | The Manger | The Midnight Mass and the Réveillion | The Children and Christmas |
| Christmas Carols and Mysteries | Local Customs and Legends |

Christmas carols, originally of popular origin, first appeared in the 15th century as part of liturgical drama. Collections of these songs with rustic themes were numerous as early as the 16th century and were presented as Christmas Bibles. They often included couplets with secular significance. Musicians often composed new airs from old themes.

Burlesque and full of verve at the beginning of the 18th century, Christmas songs came to include dances such as gavottes and minuets at the end of the century. The 19th century carols have a rather pompous character; the most famous is Minuit, chrétiens by Placide Cappeau.

Combining the elements of crèches and the earliest carols, liturgical drama evolved over the years. Typically performed in cathedral squares at Christmas, these dramas give rise to the French theater.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, only Biblical scenes connected with the story of Christ's birth were performed. These mystères were presented in stage settings, evolved over time into real plays. Presently, companies of young actors still perform miracle plays generally known as Mystères de la Nativité. One of the most famous was written by Marguerite, Queen of Navarre, at the beginning of the 16th century.

Puppet shows are also given every year for Christmas, especially in Paris and in Lyon. One of the most famous Christmas puppet plays, written by de Marynbourg, is called «Bethlehem 1933» and is a masterpiece of popular art.