Such A Different Christmas

2023 Author: Ashton Daniels | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 17:13

Christmas is a great religious holiday, a characteristic feature of which is that it is widely celebrated almost all over the planet, and not only by Christians, but even by non-believers. Different countries celebrate Christmas in their own way, because each nation has its own, rooted in antiquity, Christmas traditions.

On the day of Christmas, according to religious tradition, a very important event took place for believers - Jesus Christ was born in the town of Bethlehem, sent to Christians to atone for sins and save people. It happened on December 25 according to the old style, or January 7 according to the new calendar calculation.

Common Christmas symbols

Common Christmas symbols among Christians include the tree, the tradition of giving gifts, and Christmas wreaths and bells, as well as holiday candles and a star.

Spruce

The history of the Christmas tree began in the 8th century in Germany. And by the 17th century, this tree had become a permanent attribute of Christmas in many countries of the world. The Christmas tree was decorated with colored paper figures and flowers, as well as apples, like a tree of paradise. Later, glass balls and figurines appeared on the tree, as well as beads and garlands.

Star of bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem led the Magi with gifts to the cradle of Jesus. Its rays showed the way to the birthplace of the Savior. It is believed that after this the wise men themselves adopted Christianity and preached Christ. Today, a symbolic star adorns the top of the Christmas tree.

Candles

The light of Christmas candles symbolizes the divine radiance of the joy of the Nativity of Christ.

Wreath

The Christmas wreath with four candles was taken from the Lutheran Church in Germany. During the four weeks before Christmas, one candle is lit at a time, as a symbol of the light coming with Christ. Traditional Christmas is made from holly (holly). The thorny leaves of this plant are a symbol of the crown and thorns of the crucified Christ, and the red berries are drops of his blood.

Bells and angel

The angel and the bells remind us of announcing the birth of the Lord to the shepherds. On Christmas, the ringing of bells in all Christian churches of the world greets Christ. And I decorate the Christmas tree with small bells in almost every home.

Christmas traditions of different countries

Christmas has many faces and is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the world. Almost everyone knows about the Christmas tradition of kissing under a mistletoe in the UK, or Santa's stockings in America. How else is Christmas celebrated in the world? Let's take a little pre-Christmas trip around the planet and learn about some unusual Christmas traditions.

England

In England, the Yule Log is cooked a whole year before the holiday. A log cut in the forest dries until Christmas, and then the head of the family brings it into the house, sprinkles it with honey and wine, sprinkles it with grain and places it in a stove or fireplace. The Christmas log should burn for 12 days and nights, expelling evil spirits, illness and misfortune from the house.

Germany

In Germany, preparation for the holiday begins on November 11 at 11.11. It was at this time, according to tradition, numerous and very beautiful Christmas markets were opened throughout the country.

Starting from December 1, every Sunday Germans light candles in Christmas wreaths. According to the belief existing in the country, the candle is a symbol of warmth, peace and family well-being. Lighting a candle in the house, they wish happiness not only to their relatives and friends who live together in the same house, but also share this happiness with neighbors and just passers-by on the street. If the Christmas wreath was not “lit” in time, every German on the night before Christmas will certainly light an ordinary candle and put it on his window.

On Christmas itself, the Germans are quiet. Each family respectfully sits down at the festive table with Christmas treats. After the Christmas dinner, according to tradition, the Germans go on a visit to wish their neighbors Merry Christmas and wish them happiness and health. The traditional gift is the German "Christmas star" - a plant called poinsettia. By the end of December, it blooms with a bright red corolla, like a star.

Austria

In this country, the festive spruce is decorated not with ordinary toys, but with figured chocolate and marzipans. And then there is an old tradition, neither on Christmas Eve, nor during the holiday itself, not to lock the door to the house. Anyone can enter the house at any time and taste Christmas treats with a cup of aromatic tea or cocoa. We cannot guarantee that this tradition is carried out today in large cities, but in small Austrian settlements - on Christmas Day everything is the same!

Belgium

Belgium has an interesting tradition of giving Christmas gifts. At a holiday party, a Christmas song is played and a gift is passed around the room. When the music stops, the person holding the gift becomes its owner. Then the next Christmas song is played and the distribution of gifts continues.

France

In France, the Christmas season starts on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day. From this day on, the streets begin to shine with Christmas lights and trees. Concerts are held in the temples every evening. The French are very fond of flowers at any time of the year, so at Christmas they fill shop windows, windows, offices, shops and houses.

And since 1962, any letter to Santa Claus must necessarily receive a response in the form of a postcard from himself - this is what French law says.

Spain

Christmas in Spain, especially in the big cities, strongly resembles the annual carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Crowds of people dressed in brightly colored feathers take to the central streets and begin a festive procession, and sometimes ride on painted vehicles or mobile platforms. On this day, the streets are closed for cars everywhere. After the Christmas parade, everyone goes to church, and from there the whole family goes to their favorite restaurant or cafe. At night, the fun flares up with renewed vigor, the Christmas mood is fueled by Christian songs sounding everywhere, usually processed by modern DJs.

Greece

In Greece, there is a Christmas tradition to wrap a cross with basil, and then spray the house with the basil cross and holy water to protect it from evil spirits. Also, traditionally, the Greeks burn old shoes at Christmas for good luck in the coming year.

Hungary

In Hungary, children are not allowed to watch the process of decorating a Christmas tree, so on Christmas Eve, parents send their children to visit, and they themselves start decorating the Christmas tree with toys, usually homemade ones. Here's a custom!

Czech Republic

At Christmas, Czechs traditionally like to arrange apple fortune telling. A large apple is cut into two equal halves and looks at its core. If a small star from apple seeds is clearly visible, this means that the inhabitants of the house this year will live in full prosperity and peace. If the star turns out to be incomplete or the figure does not look like a star at all, then the owners of the house should not expect anything good.

Iceland

This country has one of the most unexpected Christmas traditions. On Christmas, from five to ten in the evening, absolutely all residents of the country turn off their televisions, especially since national television and radio companies stop broadcasting during this period of time, so that all residents of the state can devote themselves entirely to the holiday, communication with loved ones, without being distracted by television broadcasts …

Mexico

From the first of December, this country begins to prepare for Christmas. Houses are decorated with bright toys and garlands, and a special toy called Pinata is always hung from the ceiling in the living room. The piñata is usually made from papier-mâché and bright brown paper, it is hollow inside, and may resemble an animal or a geometric figure in shape. On Christmas Eve, Mexicans decorate the Pinata with bright ribbons and ropes, and most importantly, they fill them with sweets to the very top. According to tradition, at Christmas every child can try their hand and break this festive toy with a special stick in order to get all its contents. Moreover, this must be done with a blindfold.

New Zealand

Christmas in New Zealand is usually celebrated on the beach or by boat. And New Zealand Santa wears a black rugby shirt. For their Santa, kids in New Zealand prepare beer and sliced pineapple, and of course carrots for deer!

Australia

Since Christmas is in this hemisphere in the summer, in Australia Santa Claus has 6 white kangaroos instead of reindeer. This holiday is usually spent enjoying a beach holiday or a barbecue.

India

Christians in India are slightly over 2%, but considering the total population, there are over 25 million people. Here, mango trees are decorated for Christmas, and houses and temples are decorated with mango leaves.

Ethiopia

This country, although Orthodox, celebrates Christmas in a rather unusual way: a black country puts on white robes and goes to pray in temples, with men separately from women, followed by a festive dinner with an African menu and a special festive coffee ceremony. Christmas is celebrated here on January 7, but the Ethiopian calendar is very complex and does not correspond to either the Julian or Gregorian, so New Year is celebrated here on September 11.

Venezuela

Venezuela greets Christmas with prayers in temples. During the Christmas holidays in large cities, especially in the capital of the country, in Caracas, all roads are closed to cars so that all people can be in time for the morning liturgy. Recently, parishioners have been arriving for morning services on roller skates. This tradition is so popular that the authorities are forced to organize special roller-skating tracks for the holiday!

It is noteworthy that some residents tie a long rope to some part of their body, and throw the other end out the window: if they oversleep, passers-by can pull the rope and wake them up.

Brazil

This country celebrates Christmas during the hottest season. Brazilians decorate their artificial Christmas trees with something reminiscent of our tree, cotton wool and artificial snow. The celebration of Christmas begins with a church service that lasts all night and is called the Mass of the Rooster. At the end of the service, the priests traditionally bring a rooster into the temple, which announces the arrival of Christmas. After that, folk festivals, carnival processions and other bright and cheerful events begin throughout the country.

Japan

Christian traditions were brought to the Land of the Rising Sun at the beginning of the 16th century by the famous missionary Francis Xavier. In Japan today there are about 2% of Christians, mainly Catholics, who celebrate Christmas as a family. According to local tradition, straw is lit in houses to drive away evil spirits. Instead of Santa Claus, the god Hoteyosho is responsible for Christmas gifts. Interestingly, although most Japanese do not adhere to Christian rules and do not consider Christmas a holiday, every year before December 25, they decorate their homes with colorful lanterns and the roofs of buildings with bright garlands. And just like in the rest of the world, they give each other gifts.

Whatever Christmas is in your home - a traditional Christian holiday or just a fun holiday for children and adults with a mixture of traditions and rules - we wish you a Merry Christmas!