A Midnight Cradle-Rocking Tradition

In the historic town of Les Baux-de-Provence, the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass features an ancient, living nativity ceremony called the Pastrage. A real newborn baby, chosen as the youngest child born in the village that year, is placed in a small, decorated wicker cart. Local shepherds dressed in traditional capes escort the cart up the church aisle, playing flutes and drums to present the child.