Celebrating Christmas in Other Countries

I thought it would be interesting to know more about how other countries celebrate Christmas in comparison to how we celebrate in the United States. I found that many of the customs we enjoy have been adopted and adapted from other countries. It is truly a small world.

The United Kingdom

Christmas in the UK is celebrated very much as it is in the United States. The holidays consist mostly of Christmas caroling, the exchanging of gifts, enjoying a Christmas meal with family and friends and wishing "good cheer" to everyone.

From the English, we get the custom of hanging Christmas stockings. It seems that Santa once dropped some gold coins as he was attempting to pass through the chimney. Some of those coins fell into a stocking which had been hung by the fire to dry. As a result, today, children hang their stockings in expectation of having them filled with wonderful Christmas surprises.

Germany

In Germany, in nearly every town, you will find Christmas shops which are set up in booths and stalls at every shopping market. The fun starts at the beginning of Advent (typically the Sunday between November 27th and December 3rd). These market places sell everything that is needed to make Christmas a memorable holiday in Germany. You can purchase gifts and decorations for your Christmas tree, as you enjoy the smells of fresh roasted almonds, gingerbread, chestnuts roasting and sausages being fried. The experience is a delight to all of your senses as you stroll leisurely from one booth to another.

After the four Advent Sundays have passed, Christmas Eve has arrived, bringing excitement to all the children. Advent calendars help children mark off the days until Christmas. Each day of the four week Advent Calendar is marked with a transparent paper. Each morning the child opens one of the small paper windows to find the picture of a gift that children would enjoy, such as a ball, a candle, a snowman, etc. This way they can mark off the days until Christmas by following their Advent Calendar instead of pestering busy parents with "how many more days is it until Christmas?"

German families also have an Advent wreath of greenery with four candles, one candle for each of the 4 four Sundays in Advent. However, the Christmas tree is still the most important symbol of Christmas in Germany and typically is not put up until December 23rd.

Music is always a huge part of the Christmas celebration in Germany and the most famous of German Christmas songs is "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!" (Silent Night, Holy Night) which is one of America's beloved Christmas songs as well.

And as in most other countries, there is always a Christmas dinner to help celebrate this holiday. Today's meal typically consists of either turkey, roast beef or goose.

Mexico

One of the most exciting places to celebrate Christmas is Mexico. The celebration, called "Las Posadas" begins nine days before Christmas as re-enactments of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem begins. Family members divide themselves into two groups, pilgrims and innkeepers. The pilgrim family members travel from house to house and are refused entry until they reach the home with the nativity scene in the yard. The pilgrims are warmly received into this home and all the celebration and partying begins. A prayer is said, food and drink are served and the children break open the pinata to find the Christmas treasures inside.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and are used here in the United States as the flower of choice at Christmastime.

China

Even though Christianity is not officially recognized in China, the celebration of Christmas has taken on many of the same customs we enjoy here in the United States. Approximately 1% of the population, or about 10 million people are Christian. Midnight mass has become so popular that churches are unable to accommodate the huge numbers of people who turn out on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day is not a public holiday in China, however, more and more people are choosing to celebrate in traditional American ways. You will find Christmas trees, homes and businesses decorated with lights and paper lanterns and flowers. Gifts are exchanged with loved ones and meals will be enjoyed with family and friends.

One of the major Christmas events in China is the winter festival. At this time, children are provided with new clothes, good food and a spectacular fireworks display. Worshiping ancestors is the most important part of this festival.

Bethlehem, Israel

I was curious to understand how this city celebrates Christmas, since it all began here. It is the custom in Christian homes to display a painted cross above the door, and to display a homemade manger scene in the yard.

Bethlehem also is host to the many visitors who travel to the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The Church of the Nativity is highly decorated as people from around the world come to visit this most famous and Holy birthplace to celebrate Christmas where it all began so many years ago.

Source:

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/index.htm