Many Portuguese families in Bermuda retain their Christmas traditions despite being thousands of miles from their homeland.

Traditionally, Portuguese children, expecting Santa Claus, leave a shoe or sock under the chimney to let Santa know that someone lives in the house.

Many years ago it was said that a shoe left by a chimney was for baby Jesus as he was the one delivering gifts.

And instead of putting the presents under a Christmas tree, most Portuguese families put them next to the fireplace or where the shoe is.

Some families decorate under the tree with a nativity scene and a little village, while others decorate their whole room as a village.

President of the Portuguese Cultural Association Joe Benevides said the Portuguese community was a very religious one. After opening gifts on Christmas Eve, he said, the Portuguese community set off to the midnight Portuguese Mass, normally held at St. Michael's Church in Paget.

Father Albano Silva, who conducts the mass, said this year's service at St.

Michael's would get under way at 11.30 p.m. with Portuguese Christmas carols.

At midnight the mass will begin.

Following the service, families join in a procession to see the nativity scene where they kiss a statue of the baby Jesus and put money into a basket before heading home.

On Christmas Day, Father Silva said, a morning mass will be held at St.

Theresa's Cathedral in Hamilton at 9.45 a.m. The service will also be conducted in Portuguese and feature Portuguese songs.

And on January 1 -- New Year's Day -- there will be a mass at 10 a.m. at St.

Theresa's, Father Silva added.