Pastrage (I haven't found an equivalent in English)
Pastrage, or the shepherds' celebration, is a rural Provence tradition. The word pastrage comes from pastre, "shepherd" in Provençal. The celebration begins with the chief shepherd, who chooses the most beautiful suckling lamb and places it in a small wagon decorated with boxwood, ribbons, and candles. (Alternatively, in some villages, the wagon is filled with gifts and the youngest shepherd carries the lamb in his arms.) After the Gros Souper, everyone leaves for midnight mass: a ewe, the lamb's mother, pulls the wagon and the shepherds follow it down to the village, where they announce the birth of baby Jesus. The villagers join the parade with gifts, candles, and musical instruments.
The group heads to the church to offer the lamb and other gifts like fruit and bread to baby Jesus (in the crèche). The priest takes the lamb in his arms and tells the story of the trip the lamb and shepherds had to make to arrive in the village. Thus begins midnight mass.
There aren't many shepherds left today, but you can still see pastrage (or a re-creation) in many French villages, including Allauch, Barbentane, Les Baux de Provence, Eygalières, Fontvieille, Maussane, Saint Martin de Crau, Saint Michel de Frigolet, Saint Rémy de Provence, and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
Courtesy of Laura's French language blog
