Christmas is the most observed and popular festival in the Christian calendar. In the West it has largely turned into a commercial event. In previous centuries, however, there was very little giving and receiving of gifts and, in fact, up to the latter part of the nineteenth century, Christmas remained a regular day of work. However it is perceived, the story of Christmas still manages to capture the heart of almost everyone whatever their age or beliefs. The Christmas story with images of angels, shepherds, wise men, a stable and the birth of a baby rarely fails to captivate young minds. In theological terms, Christmas celebrates the incarnation of God in His son, Jesus Christ, in human form. Although we may just think of Christmas as being one day, it is actually a season which extends from four weeks before December 25th to two weeks after.
Around the world, Christmas is celebrated in many different ways. In England, children visit Father Christmas in many centres throughout the country. They tell him their wishes and then he comes to visit them late in the night on Christmas Eve, pulled along on his sleigh by his reindeers. The children must make sure they are not awake when he visits, otherwise he will leave them no presents! On Christmas Day most people in Britain tend to cook a turkey with all the trimmings. This is often followed by Christmas Pudding, a delicious sticky, sweet hot pudding, which is served with brandy butter or even clotted cream. The following day in Britain is known as Boxing Day and this is usually another day to celebrate. Many people choose to go out on Boxing Day to walk off the excesses of the day before or simply to get some fresh air. In some coastal areas, there is often a Boxing Day swim but it is only for the very brave!
Christmas Across the Globe
In Australia, Christmas falls in mid summer so many festivities take place out of doors. Families often decorate their houses with palm leaves, evergreens and ferns as well as the bright flowers that bloom in December Down Under. Whilst many families still cook the traditional British dinner, a lot are now choosing to have a barbeque outdoors.
In the USA, Christmas is celebrated in much the same way as in Britain. Turkeys are cooked, Christmas cakes baked and the whole family gets together on this special day. Many families go to church with their loved ones too. Those in the warmer States usually spend part of the day out of doors, walking or just enjoying the Christmas sights and sounds. In the colder parts of the USA, families often stay inside by the warmth of the fire and play games or watch television.
Although there are relatively few Christians in China, those that are celebrate by decorating their houses with paperchains and evergreens. Christmas trees are called the Trees of Light and these are festooned with flowers, lanterns and red paperchains which signify happiness. Houses are lit with lanterns too and red pagodas are cut out of paper and stuck on to windows.
In Ethiopia, Christmas is celebrated on 7th January, following the ancient Julian calendar. Most families attend church to celebrate Ganna, Christ’s birth, and everybody wears white clothes. On January 19th, Ethiopians start a 3-day celebration to commemorate Christ’s baptism.
In France, Christmas festivities begin on 5th December, the Eve of St Nicholas. On December 24th church bells ring out and carols are sung. Many families attend church on Christmas day. This is followed by a feast of sumptuous food which ends with the buche de Noel, a traditional cake filled with butter cream and shaped like a Yule log.
Food plays a major part in Christmas celebrations in Germany too. Leading up to Christmas, German homes are filled with the sights and smells of bread, candied cakes and spicy biscuits being baked. Germans prepare for the festival throughout the whole month which can be very cold in Germany. People make wreaths out of pine or fir and use coloured candles. A candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday through the month.
Dutch children await the arrival of Sinterklaas on 6th December which is St Nicholas Day. Sinterklaas is a friendly bishop who wears a tall pointed hat and red robes. He travels on a white horse carrying a large sack of presents for the children. St Nicholas Eve is celebrated at home with food, drink, hot chocolate and a letterbanket – this is a letter cake which is made in the shape of the initial letter of the family surname.
In Italy, the Christmas season starts on the first Sunday of Advent. Fireworks, bonfires and music are all part of the scene. Christmas markets are full of families shopping and enjoying the atmosphere. Some families have Christmas trees and many set up a manger tableau, in front of which they light candles and often pray.
In Mexico, the weather is mild at Christmas time. Homes are decorated with evergreen leaves and lilies. Lanterns, or farolitos, are made by cutting designs out from brown paper bags. Candles out of doors illuminate roofs, outdoor walls and pavements.
In Spain the Christmas season starts on 8th December when there is a 7-day celebration of the Feast of Immaculate Conception. Churches are decorated with evergreens. Musical instruments such as tambourines, castanets, miniature guitars and rattles made of gourds are on sale. Children recite verses and sing carols from house to house and in return are given sweets or toys.
In Sweden, in the dark Northern hemisphere, they celebrate the patron saint of light. If there is a daughter in the house, she gets up before first light and dresses in a white dress as The Queen of Light. On her head she wears a crown of leaves and she goes to all the bedrooms in the house serving coffee and small treats to her family. Christmas trees are selected by the whole family just a day or so before 25th December.
More Christmas Articles
- Christmas Cards
- Father Christmas
- Christmas Decorations
- Christmas Music
- Christmas Holidays
- Christmas Tree
- Christmas Gifts Sitemap
