It’s that time of year again…Christmastime! A time of year when family and friends visit, when we decorate trees, listen to carols, wrap presents, hang stockings, and eat way too many cookies. At least, that’s what we do in America. But what about the rest of the world?
In China, the small Christian population calls Christmas Sheng Dan Jieh (Holy Birth Festival). Trees are decorated with flowers, lanterns, and paper chains. Houses are decorated with evergreens, paper lanterns, and red pagodas.
The Irish often put out mince pies and a bottle of Guinness as a treat for Santa.
Brazil has a wide range of Christmas traditions. It’s popular to set up a nativity scene, attend Midnight Mass, and decorate houses with fresh flowers. A traditional Christmas dinner consists of ham, turkey, rice, vegetables, and fruit.
Norway blends ancient pagan traditions with the Christian holiday of Christmas. Gifts are delivered by a goat-like creature named Julebukk—a tradition dating back to the Viking days.
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, closes its streets to cars in the mornings leading up to Christmas so people can roller skate to Mass.
In Spain, the Magi (Three Wise Men) are especially revered. It’s believed the Wise Men travel through Spain reenacting their journey to Bethlehem. Children fill their shoes with straw, barley, and carrots as a treat for the Magi’s horses.
Nicaraguans celebrate Christmas by attending Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The Three Wise Men deliver gifts for the children on January 6. Fireworks displays are also popular.
Throughout the Christmas season, children in Romania travel from house to house singing carols and reciting poetry and legends. One child carries a large wooden star attached to a pole or broomstick. A picture of the Holy Family, surrounded by bells and ribbons, is pasted in the middle of the star.
Don’t feel like cooking Christmas dinner? Don’t worry. In Japan, it’s customary to go out to KFC for Christmas dinner.
your favorite Christmas traditions?
