Christmas traditions around the world are as colorful and have as much tradition as we do in America. For
instance, in India, they celebrate Christmas in much the same way as we do. It’s an official holiday, people attend
church, and Hindu children that go to missionary school participate in the festivities. The educational system takes a holiday
beginning right before Christmas and goes through the first few days of the New Year. They call it Bada Din, or the big day,
and it revolves around shopping and Santa Claus, too.
In Japan, Christmas in not an official holiday and has
less importance than New Year’s Day. Santa Claus is not as important to the Japanese as he is to Americans. New Years
Day is the official day to get together with family. Christmas is more a day for lovers. They celebrate by having a special
date and strolling around looking at Christmas lights erected by companies to make it feel more romantic.
One of the highlights of the Christmas season in Japan is the giving
of the Christmas cake, a white-frosted cake symbolizing a birthday cake for Jesus. It often has strawberries on it.
Christmas in the Philippines is started with nine-day dawn masses
that start on December 16. The Philippines celebrate the world’s longest Christmas season. Family members eat together
on Christmas Eve after midnight mass.
South America
is heavily Catholic so the religious aspect is predominating. Their celebrations are a mixture of traditions from both Europe
and Native Americans. They have traditions that involve gift giving and family Christmas meals are very important. Villages
often act out the events surrounding the birth of the Christ child. Nativity scenes are a major feature of Christmas in South
America.
Australia is known for starting a
tradition around 1938 of Carols by Candlelight. People gather outdoors and sing carols either on Christmas Eve or an evening
right before Christmas. That custom has spread around the world. Australians celebrate Christmas on December 25th even though
it’s the middle of the summer season. Obviously a few traditions are different because of the hot weather. It isn’t
unusual to see Santa surfing in to the beach for an outdoor barbeque.
In Europe where many of the Christmas traditions originated, they still celebrate today as they did many
years ago. People usually stay in close family circles and it’s considered sad if you have to spend Christmas alone.
Gifts are given but Little Jesus gives them or they know their parents are the ones that bought them. Many people go to Catholic
Mass on Christmas Eve and it’s not uncommon for this to be the only time in the year that Church is attended.
Peter brought the Great Christmas to Russia after he finished
traveling in the western world late in the 18th century. After decades under communist rule, Christmas was revived around
1992. Russia celebrates Christmas Eve with a 12-course meal to honor each of the apostles and gifts are given on New Years
Day by either Grandfather Frost or his helper the Snow Maiden. Their Christmas traditions also include a “yolka”
or Christmas tree.
In Germany, traditions
vary by region. Gifts are given on Christmas Eve after a small meal. Gifts are brought by someone who resembles Saint Nicholas
or by “Christ Kind” who may represent the Baby Jesus.
Christmas starts with Santa Lucia Day on December 13 for Sweden. Father Christmas brings gifts on Christmas
Eve. Companies often celebrate by hosting a lunch for their employees. One of the most interesting traditions of the Swedes
is the watching of a Disney special on Christmas Eve at 3 PM.
In Norway, they also have a tradition of watching Disney. Norwegians celebrate on December 24th with large
dinners and gifts given by “Juvenescent” to children who have been well behaved. Boxing Day follows a quiet Christmas
day and children go door to door to gather treats, gifts, and money much as our children do on Halloween. The official end
of Christmas is January 6th.
Christmas traditions
around the world are varied but all have a central theme. The birth of Christ, gift giving, and family traditions are all
celebrated in many ways. People may celebrate in a different way, someone other than Santa Clause may deliver the gifts, but
Christmas is still celebrated throughout the world as a special day for family.
