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In many parts of the world, Christmas is the most grand, festive, and religiously significant time of year. Families gather for food, companionship, gift giving, and celebrating the birth of the Christ Child of the Christian foundation. In other locations, the day goes by without a mention.
Many traditions have started over the decades concerning Christmas. The "real" Saint Nicholas was born in the Middle East region in the 4th century. He was kind and adored children. The story of "Santa Claus" evolved over the years to what we know today, however, there are different legends about Santa to delight children from around the world. He might be known as Father Christmas, St. Nick, or a number of other monikers.
Each culture also its own interpretation of how Santa deals with naughty and nice children. Some of the traditional stories concerning naughty children sound rather fear-inspiring next to North American legends. Presents do not always come from a Santa-like character, however. In certain parts of Europe, gifts are believed to be sent from the stars and other cultures believe that angels deliver Christmas gifts to children.
The Christmas trees we enjoy decorating today were actually part of celebrations very long before the holiday we know as Christmas came into existence. Cultures long before the birth of Christ decorated with evergreens to signify life and the watching and waiting for the return of spring.
Another ancient tradition is the mistletoe. It was thought to be all-healing and used for medicinal purposes as well as protection from all things evil. In 18th century England, the tradition of needing to kiss a girl standing under the mistletoe was begun.
Christmas is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In Cuba, it has evolved and changed many times over the years. Before the Castro rule began in 1959, Christmas Eve was the time of celebration for Cubans. The meal of tradition was roasted pork or ham. Families gathered for dancing, eating, and celebrating midnight mass. Gifts were exchanged on January 6th, known as Epiphany. The traditions of Santa Claus and Christmas trees found their way to Cuba in the 1940s and 50s. Interestingly, Santa only brought Cuban children candy and sweets, not toys. With the introduction of communism to the country in 1959, Christmas celebrations in Cuba were halted, but have returned to a certain degree in recent years.
Mexicans celebrate Christmas with "Las Posadas" by re-enacting the journey of the Biblical Joseph and Mary to the point where the baby Jesus was born. The festival lasts for nine evenings.
Christmas (called Yule) in Iceland is surprisingly similar to the holiday in North America. There is tree and home decorating, a meal, presents, and shopping. A citizen of Iceland will be finding mutton on the Yule table more likely than the North American turkey, however. A very big difference in tradition here, though, is that 13 distinct Santas are part of Iceland's Yule customs.
Although the unofficial "Christmas season" begins the day after Thanksgiving in America, the day for this happening is December 6th in Germany. It is known as Saint Nicholas Day. This is when the children put a shoe by the fireplace and Saint Nick comes by with his "naughty or nice" list. The good children find treats to eat in the shoe. If they find twigs, they know they have been placed on the naughty list. Children are not allowed to feast eyes on the Christmas tree until Christmas Eve, and after the traditional meal, most likely pork or sausage. When the children come into the room, there are presents, singing of carols, and a reading of the Christmas story.
Russian children look forward to a visit from Babouschka each year. She brings gifts while wandering the land looking for the Christ Child. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the primary church in Russia, and due to the use of the Julian calendar, Christmas for this region is celebrated in early January. No meat is eaten for the traditional Christmas meals, but there is indeed a gala meal. Church services and the singing of carols is also part of a Christmas Eve celebration in Russia.
How does a resident of a place such as Nigeria celebrate Christmas? There are various traditions according to the part of the country from which one originated. One form of celebration is to return to one's hometown to visit with friends from the past and to spend time with relatives. One of the traditional dishes for Christmas meals is made of yams, vegetables, and hot spices. Christmas Day might find a family attending a church service. Gift giving in most of Nigeria has always been different in that gifts are to be given to those less fortunate.
Egypt is not a primarily Christian country, but the Christian Egyptians do indeed celebrate the birth of Christ and Christmas. It is celebrated on January 7, as with many other Orthodox Church religions. One tradition that is not generally found as a part of Christmas is that Christian Egyptians eat no meat or milk from November 25 until late in the evening of January 6. After a church service on that night, a meal of meat and rice is eaten. Homes are found brightly decorated with lights, a manger scene, and Christmas trees.
Very unlike the Christmas season in North America and other regions, December in Australia is in the middle of summer and the weather is hot. The traditional meal is usually ham or turkey and dessert is Mince Pie or Plum Pudding. A Christmas picnic at the beach is not at all unusual. Santa Claus often arrives via boat or surfboard instead of by sleigh and reindeer.
Residents of the world's largest island, Greenland, begin the celebrations on the first Sunday of Advent. The singing of carols is very prevalent in this country. Carolers might be found walking past houses singing very early in the morning. There is a church service later in the morning followed by visiting with friends and other church members for coffee after the service. A second church service during Advent Sundays is also attended. During the Advent period, there are many decorations displayed and the baking is done during this time. Children are given their presents to open on the morning of Christmas Eve and the rest of the day is spent visiting family, eating sweets, and drinking coffee. Due to the fact that trees do not grow in Greenland, (only 1% of the land is forested) for residents of this country to decorate a traditional Christmas tree, they need to either make a tree from driftwood or choose to buy an artificial tree or import a live tree from outside of Greenland.
Even with all the worldwide celebrations happening each December or January to commemorate Christmas, there are regions that are not Christian oriented, and thus, Christmas means nothing to the citizens. The totally Muslim Saudi Arabia is one such area. Other countries in the Middle East house a small percentage of Christians, so small and private family and religious celebrations occur, but not with the fanfare and commercialism of things such as gift giving that other regions have become accustomed to. Christmas celebrations in China only exist for tourists and those from other areas of the world who happen to live there or be visiting over the holiday season.
Last but certainly not least, how is Christmas celebrated in the "Little Town of Bethlehem" of Christmas carol fame, and the place Christians believe the Christ Child was born? The answer depends upon which organization is being discussed. The Western churches celebrate on December 25 and the Russian churches use the January 7 date of the Julian calendar. The Armenian churches celebrate on January 6. Residents of Bethlehem spend Christmas Eve with special services at church.
No matter where on the planet it occurs, or which exact date is used, Christmas is a time of good will and of celebration. It is a time when the faces of children are lit with wonderment and glee no matter what special traditions their own culture follows.
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