Christmas is aout celerating the birth of Jesus Christ on the 25th December. But oh, how people in different parts of the Earth have adapted the Christmas tradition according to their own cultures and practices!
Japan
He'll Be Watching You
We know what you're thinking: do they or don't they celebrate Christmas? The answer is yes, Japanese do have a rollicking ood time during Christmas. And they celebrate it more as a festival or love and giving than as a Christian festival. We found theuir equivalent of the jolly old Santa highly unusual! A Japanese god named Horeisho is said to visit households bearing gifts for children. Like his Western counterpart, he also lugs a huge pack on his bag. But unlike the indulgent Santa, Horeisho has startling eyes as the back of his head to make sure that children behave well!
Canada
E, F, G And The Bean!
The Canadian population is diverse and Christmas is celebrated by the English, German and French communities. As can be expected, their Christmas carols contain English, French or German influences. Canada is rich in natural resources, so Canadian Christians can practically obtain a real Christmas tree in their backyard! French Canadians call Santa Claus Pere Noel and he has the same task as his non-French counterpart: to leave gifts for children under the tree. What's refreshing about the Canadians is that they have a festival to mark the end of Christmas. They would prepare a cake and hide a bean within it. The person who gets the bean while eating a slice of the cake will e "crowned" King or Queen, according to tradition!
Iceland
Yule Love It!
Ever wonder what Bjork's countrymen do for Yule (that's what they call Christmas in Iceland)? Well, celebrations start at 6 p.m. on Yule Eve. Icelanders eat Hangikjöt, or smoked mutton. Rjúpa or rock ptarmigan and Grautur, or porridge. Everyone in the family receives a new item of clothing, either before or on Yule Day. The new clothing symbolises a bonus for work well done during the year. Tradition has it that those who did not receive new garment would be captured by the Jólaköttur (Christmas cat). Uh-huh. we can only guess that Yule won't be much fun when you are in the paws of the Jólaköttur!
Finland
And The Lights Come On!
Another country in which Christmas celebrations extend to more than a day. Finland's Christmas starts from the eve and goes right up to two days after the actual day. People flock to church to attend advent concerts in the evenings. Shops and offices are decorated with pretty fairy lights that are switched on at night to give Finland a bright and magical feel!
Germany
Good Things Come In Twos!
Christmas celebrations last two full days for the Germans, from 25th to 26th December. Their equivalent of Santa Claus is the gift-bearing St. Niklaus, who is just as kindly and sweet to the kids!
Poland
See Who's Talking Too!
Christmas Eve is a time of family gathering and reconciliation. It's also a night of magic. For one night only, legend has it that animals are able to speak like humans, while people get to forsee the future!
Jamaica
The Spirit Of Sharing!
Christmas starts in the Jamaican home with a great clean-up. Walls get a fresh coat of paint, lawns are mowed to perfection and trees white-washed, all the better to resemble a white Christmas. An animal, usually a goat or a pig is slaughtered a few days before Christmas. The meat and other gifts are shared with neighbours.
Ukraine
Smile And Be Solemn!
For the Ukrainians, Christmas is the most important family holiday in the year. It is celebrated merrily, but also solemnly. The family comes together to partake in special foods during the Sviata Vecheria (Christmas Eve Supper). They also perform rituals which are dedicated to God, their ancestors and to their family.
The Philippines
Have Yourself A Musical Christmas!
Much of the musically-inclined Filipino population is Christian. There are Christmas carols with a Filipino twist such as Pasko na Sinta Ko and Maligayang Pasko (the latter meaning "Merry Christmas" in Tagalog).
The United States
12 Days Of Partying!
Just like Finland, the trees, the homes and the skyscrapers of New York are adorned with beautiful lights. The streets are so crowded with shoppers in their dark coats that the day after Thanksgiving is nicknamed "Black Friday". Remember the carol The 12 Days Of Christmas? Some New Yorkers actually celebrate 12 full days of the festival, though not with three French hens, two turtledoves and a partidge in the pear tree. Instead, they hold parties with lots of delicious festive fare, such as egg nog, Christmas cookies, puddings, cakes, fudge and candies. On Christmas Eve, stockings are hung up and children are tucked into bed with a bedtime reading of The Night Before Christmas. Christmas morning sees New Yorkers opening their presents excitedly over a hearty breakfast of warm pancakes and maple syrup. Yummy!
France
Pressies Or Punches?
For every yin, there is a yang. And so is the case with the French. Instead of one Santa, their legends speak of Pere Noel (Father Christmas) and his partner, Pere Fouettard (Father Spanker)! No prizes for guessing who will put pressies in the sabots, or shoes, of French kids and who will give the naughty their just desserts.
The midnight church service on Christmas Eve is traditionally, followed by a meal called le reveillon. The represents the symbolic spiritual awakening of the people to the meaning of Christ's birth. Christ cakes are baked and decorated with sugar to resemble the Holy Child. In the south of France, a Christmas loaf called pain calendeau is cut crosswise and eaten only after the first piece has been given to a needy person.
China
Paper-razzi!
Only a small percentage of the people in China celebrate Christmas. They erect artificial Christmas trees in their apartments and decorate them with spangles bought from Southern China's export zone. The trees are called "trees of light" and are also decorated with paper chains, paper flowers and paper lanterns. Children hang up muslin stockings in the hope that Dun Che Lao Ren (The Chinese Santa) will fill them with presents. Stores employ men to dress up as him to hand out candy, while restaurants get their waitresses to dress up as Santarinas. Festives close with the reading of the names of every person living in area. These names are then listed, attached to a paper horse and burned in the hope that the people will eventually find their resting place in heaven.
Labels: 12 days of christmas, christmas, dun che lao ren, horeisho, maligayang pasko, merry christmas, noel, pasko na sinta ko, pere fouettard, pere noel, st niklaus, yule, yuletide
