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-Christmas Around The World-
CHRISTMAS IS
CELEBRATED IN
DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES AND
CULTURES
WELCOME
to the
Slide Show
Christmas in Argentina
In Argentina the weather is warm at Christmas. Preparations for
Christmas begin very early in December and even November. Many
people in Argentina are Catholic and they also celebrateAdvent.
House are beautifully decorated with lights and wreaths of green,
gold, red and white flowers. Red and white garlands are hung on the
doors of houses.Christmas Treesare also very popular and they are
often decorated by 8th December (the feast of the Immaculate Conception
- when Catholics celebrate when Mary was conceived). Some people like
to put cotton balls on the Christmas Tree to represent snow! Any tree
might be made into a Christmas Tree - not just the traditional fir tree!
TheNativity sceneor 'pesebre' is also an important Christmas
decoration in Argentina. The pesebre is put near to the Christmas tree.
The main Christmas meal is eaten during the evening of
Christmas Eve. It might be served in the garden or be a barbecue! Some
popular dishes include roasted turkey, roasted pork, stuffed tomatoes and
Christmas bread and puddings like 'Pan Dulce' and Panetone.
CHRISTMAS IN ARMENIA
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January
6th. This day it also celebrates the 'Epiphany' (which means the
revelation that Jesus was God's son). Epiphany is now mainly the
time Churches remember the Visit of the of Wise Men to Jesus; but
some Churches, like the Armenian Apostolic Church, also celebrate
the Baptis
m of Jesus (when he started his adult ministry) on Epiphany.
Some Armenians fast (don't eat anything) in the week before
Christmas. The Christmas Eve meal is called khetum ' '. It
often includes dishes such as rice, fish, nevik ' ' (green chard
and chick peas) and yogurt/wheat soup called tanabur
''. Desserts includes dried fruits and nuts, including
rojik (whole shelled walnuts threaded on a string and encased in
grape jelly), bastukh (a paper-like dessert made of grape jelly,
cornstarch and flour). This lighter menu is designed to ease the
stomach off the week-long fast and prepare it for the rather more
substantial Christmas Day dinner. Children take presents of fruits,
nuts, and other candies to older relatives.
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays!
Children have their summer holidays from early to mid December to early
February, so some people might even be camping at Christmas!
Because it's so hot at Christmas time in Australia, there are quite
often massive bush fires across the country. Many volunteer bush fire
fighters are involved in saving people and property and travel from all over
Australia to help in other states.
Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and sometimes go out
Christmas carol singing on Christmas eve. People also decorate their houses
and gardens withChristmas Treesand Christmas lights. Neighbors
sometimes have little competitions as to who has got the best light display.
The neighbors often visit each other to look at the light displays at night.
Sometimes the displays are put out as early as December 1st. One street in
Sydney raises over $(AUS)35,000 every year for charity with their coordinated street display!
Australians also decorate their houses with bunches of 'Christmas
Bush', a native Australian tree with small green leaves and cream coloured
flowers. In summer the flowers turn a deep shiny red over a period of weeks
(generally by the week of Christmas in Sydney).
The Flying Doctor Service has to work all thoughout Christmas. On Christmas Day the people who live
in the outback send Christmas greetings to each other
over the radio network.
Most families try to be home together for
Christmas and the main meal is eaten at lunch time.
Most people now have a cold Christmas dinner, or a
barbecue with seafood such as prawns and lobsters
along with the 'traditional english' food. On Christmas
Eve, fish-markets are often full of people queuing to
buy their fresh seafood for Christmas day.
Australians often haveChristmas Crackers at
Christmas meal times.Thank you to the students at
Georgiana Molloy Anglican School for their help in
giving me information on Christmas in Australia!
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRIA
Austria shares many Christmas traditions with its
neighbourGermany, but also has many special Christmas
customs of its own.
DuringAdvent, many families will have an Advent
Wreath made from evergreen twigs and decorated with
ribbons and four candles. One each of the four Sunday in
Advent, a candle is lit and a carols or two might be sung!
Most towns will have a 'Christkindlmarkt'
(Christmas market) from late November, early December
selling Christmas decorations, food (like gingerbread) and
Glhwein (sweet, warm mulled wine). Cities like Vienna,
Innsbruck and Salzburg have huge markets and people
from all over the world to visit them.
Every town will also have a largeChristmas Treein the town square. In
homes, trees are decorated with gold and silver ornaments and stars made from
straw.
Christmas in Austria really starts around 4.00pm onChristmas Eve ('Heilige
Abend') when the tree is lit for the first time and people come to sing carols around
the tree. The most famous carol isSilent Night ('Stille Nacht') which was written
in Austria in 1818.
The national pop radio station 3 has special Christmas 'jingles' and plays
Christmas music from 4.00pm on 'Heilige Abend'. It's used by many people as the
'soundtrack' to the start of Christmas. This is the version of 'Stille Nacht' played on
3 in 2007.
Traditionally the Christmas tree is brought in and decorated on Christmas
Eve. Decorations include candles (now often electric and) and sparklers. For
children, other important decorations are sweets such as small liqueur-filled
chocolate bottles, chocolates of various kinds, jelly rings and 'Windbckerei'
(meringue, usually in the form of rings, stars, etc.).
Some children believed that the 'Christkind' decorates the tree. The
Christkind also brings presents to children on Christmas Eve and leaves them
under the tree. (The Christkind is described as a golden-haired baby, with wings,
who symbolizes the new born Christ.)
Some children might also get a present from St Nicholas on December
6th.The main Christmas meal is also eaten on Christmas Eve. It's often
'Gebackener Karpfen' (fried carp) as the main course, this is because Christmas
Eve was considered a 'fasting' day by many Catholics and no meat could be eaten.
However 'Weihnachtsgans' (roast goose) and roast turkey are becoming more
popular. Dessert can be chocolate and apricot cake 'Sachertorte' and Austrian
Christmas cookies 'Weihnachtsbaeckerei'.
Some 'really cool' people, or those who live in the mountains, might go
skiing on Christmas Day. Skiing on New Years Day is also popular.
Every year, Austria's capital city, Vienna, holds a world famous classical
music concert 'NeuJahrsKonzert' which takes place during the morning of
New Year's day. It's held in the 'Groer Saal' (large hall) of the Musikverein,
the concert hall of the Viennese Music Association. The concert is played by
the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and always features music from the
Strauss family: Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss and
Eduard Strauss. It is famous for its waltz music. During the last piece played,
the The Blue Danube, the introduction is interrupted by applause from the
audience and the musicians then wish them a Happy New Year! The concert
is shown around the world on TV.
ForEpiphany, 6th January, Some people write a special sign in chalk
over their front door. It's a reminder of theWise Men that visited the baby
Jesus. It's made from the year split in two with initials of the names that are
sometimes given to 'the three wise men', Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, in
the middle. So 2014 would be: 20*C*M*B*14. The sign is meant to protect the
house for the coming year.
Another famous event that happens over the new year in Austria and
Germany is the Ski Jumping 'Four Hills Tournament'
('Vierschanzentournee'). It starts in Germany with Oberstdorf (Germany) on
the 29th or 30th December and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) on New
Years Day and continues in Austria with Innsbruck (Austria) on 3rd or 4th of
January and Bischofshofen (Austria) on the 6th January. I'm a big Ski
Jumping fan, so I watch it (and I support the Austrians)!
CHRISTMAS IN
BELGIUM
In Belgium there are two main languages, Flemish and
Walloon (a version of French). The two languages are spoken
in different regions of the country.
In Flemish Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest'
and in Walloon 'djoyeus Noy'.
On Christmas Eve ('Kerstavond' in Flemish and 'le
rveillion de Nol' in Walloon), a special meal is eaten by most
families. It starts with a drink (apritif) and 'nibbles', followed
by a 'starter' course such as sea-food, and then stuffed turkey.
The dessert is 'Kerststronk' (Flemish) or 'la bche de Nol'
(Walloon) a chocolate Christmas Log made of sponge roll
layered with cream. The outside is covered with chocolate
butter cream and made to resemble a bark-covered log.
As inHolland, children in Belgium have two Christmas
visitors! On December 6th, St. Nicholas' Day, 'Sinterklaas/St.
Niklaas' (Flemish) or 'Saint Nicholas' (Walloon) is believed to
bring presents to children.
Children put their shoes in front of the fireplace, together some for
Sinterklaas like a drawing or biscuits; they might also leave a carrot for
Sinterklass's horse and something for Zwarte Piet (Black Peter, Sinterklass's
assistant). Then in the night, Sinterklaas arrives on the roof on his horse with
Zwarte Piet. Zwarte Piet climbs down the chimney and leaves the presents in and
around the shows. Sinterklaas has a book in which he keeps all the names of the
children and tells if they've been bad or good. Children are told that if they've been
bad, Zwarte Piet will put you in his sack and take you back to Spain! Traditional
foods that are left for Sinterklaas include tangerines, gingerbread, chocolate and
'mokjes' (cookies made in the shapes of letters. There are lots of songs that children
sing about Sinterklaas. Different regions of Belgium have different customs and
traditions about St. Nicholas.
Some people celebrateAdventand have Advent Wreaths/Crowns made
from fir or leylandii greenery. The wreaths have four candles and a candle is lit
each week counting down to Christmas. These are very popular in
Elementary/Primary Schools where an Advent song is sung when the candles are
lit. Lots of children also have paper Advent Calendars with chocolate behind the
doors for each day!
In the weeks before Christmas, people also like to go to Christmas Markets.
You might spot Santa Claus at the market! Poeple go to buy Christmas presents,
decorations and food. You can also drink jenever (gin) or Glhwein (hot wine) and
eat some Smoutebollen/oliebollen (deep fried sweet dumplings) are also very
popular. Going ice skating with friends is also something very common.
Small family Christmas presents are also given at Christmas too, where
they are put under the tree. They are opened on Christmas Eve. People also
like to listen to Christmas music on the radio. Some people also go a
Midnight Mass service
The traditional Christmas breakfast is the same as the normal Sunday
breakfast eaten throughout the year. This is freshly baked crusty rolls
(bakeries do their best trade on Sundays in the Flanders region) with butter
& cold meats and/or jam, followed by pastries (like Danish pastries) called
"koffiekoek(en)" (meaning coffee cake(s) as they are normal eaten with a cup
of coffee!). In Walloon districts (the south of Belgium), a special sweet bread
called 'cougnou' or 'cougnolle' made in a shape that is supposed to be like
baby Jesus is eaten for Christmas breakfast.
On Christmas day itself people visit friends or distant relatives. Movies
like Home Alone! and Disney films are always shown on the TV as is the
Phantom of the Opera. New Year's Eve and New Year are also very big
holidays in Belgium. Many families eat another large meal together and
sometimes have even more presents! At midnight people countdown to the
new year and give everybody 3 kisses and wish them the best for the coming
year. Having fireworks is also a very popular way to mark the new year.
Some people have parties that last until the next morning!
On New Year's Day, people often visit friends and family. Children (up to
about the age of 12) also read their 'New Years letters' for their
Mother/Godmother. The letters are written at school and are done in your
best handwriting and put in beautiful envelopes.
CHRISTMAS IN BRAZIL
Many Brazilian Christmas traditions come from Portugal as Portugal
ruled Brazil for many years.Nativity Scenes, known as Prespio are very
popular. They are set-up in churches and homes all through December.
Christmas plays called Los Pastores (The Shepherds), like the
plays inMexicoare also popular. In the Brazilian versions of the play,
there's also traditionally a shepherdess and also a woman who tries to
steal the baby Jesus!
Most people, especially Catholics, will go to a Midnight Mass
service or Missa do Galo (Mass of the Roster). The mass normally finishes
about 1.00am. On Christmas day, people might go to church again, but this
time the services are often in the afternoon.
After the Missa do Gallo there are often big firework displays and
in big towns and cities there are big Christmas Tree shaped displays of
electric lights.
In Brazil,Santa Clausis called Papai Noel & Bom Velhinho (Good
Old Man). Many Christmas customs are similar to ones in theUSA orUK.
CHRISTMAS IN CHINA
In China, only about one percent of people are Christians, so
most people only know a few things about Christmas. Because of this,
Christmas is only often celebrated in the major cities. In these big cities
there areChristmas Trees lights and other decorations on the streets and
in department stores.Santa Claus is called 'Shen Dan Lao Ren' and has
grottos in shops like is Europe and America.
In Chinese Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Sheng Dan Kuai Le or
' in Mandarin and 'Seng Dan Fai Lok or ' in
Cantonese.
In China, Santa is known as 'Sheng dan lao ren' (Traditional:
, Simplified: ; means Old Christmas Man).
One a few people have a Christmas Tree (or celebrate
Christmas at all!). If people do have a tree it is normally a plastic one and
might be decorated with paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns
(they might also call it a tree of light). The Christmas Trees that most
people would see would be in shopping malls! Christmas isn't that widely
celebrated in the rural areas of China, but it's becoming more well known.
CHRISTMAS IN EGYPT
In Egypt about 15% of people are Christians. They are the only part of
the population who really celebrate Christmas. Most Egyptian Christians
belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church and they have some very unique
traditions for Christmas.
Christmas Day isn't celebrated on the 25th December but on 7th
January (like inEthiopiaand by some Orthodox Christians
inRussiaandSerbia).
The Coptic month leading to Christmas is called Kiahk. People sing
special praise songs on Saturday nights before the Sunday Service.
For the 43 days before Christmas (Advent), from 25th November to 6th
January, Coptic Orthodox Christians have a special fast where they basically
eat a vegan diet. The don't eat anything containing products that come from
animals (including chicken, beef, milk and eggs). This is called 'The Holy
Nativity Fast'. But if people are too weak or ill to fast properly they can be
excused.
On Coptic Christmas Eve (6th January), Coptic Christians go to church
for a special liturgy or Service. The services normally start about 10.30pm but
some chapels will be open for people to pray from 10.00pm. Many people meet
up with their friends and families in the churches from 9.00pm onwards. The
services are normally finished shortly after midnight, but some go onto
4.00am!
CHRISTMAS IN SPAIN
Most people in Spain go to Midnight Mass or 'La Misa Del Gallo' (The Mass of the
Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was
born.
Most families eat their main Christmas meal on Christmas Eve before the service.
The traditional Spanish Christmas dinner is 'Pavo Trufado de Navidad' which is Turkey stuffed
with truffles (the mushrooms, not the chocolate ones!) In Galicia (a region in north-west Spain,
surrounded by water) the most popular meal for Christmas Eve and for Christmas Day is
seafood. This can all kinds of different seafood, from shellfish and mollusks, to lobster and
small edible crabs.
After the midnight service, people walk through the streets carrying torches,
playing guitars and beating on tambourines and drums. One Spanish saying is 'Esta noche es
Noche-Buena, Y no Es noche de dormir' which means 'Tonight is the good night and it is not
meant for sleeping!'
A few different languages are spoken in different regions in Spain. In Spanish
Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Feliz Navidad'; in Catalan it's 'Bon Nadal'; and in Galician 'Bo
Nadal'.
December 28th is 'Da de los santos inocentes' or 'Day of the Innocent Saints' and
is very like April Fools Day in the UK and USA. People try to trick each other into believing
silly stories and jokes. Newspapers and TV stations also run silly stories. If you trick someone,
you can call them 'Inocente, inocente' which means 'innocent, innocent'. 28th December is
when people all over the world remember the babies that were killed on the orders ofKing
Herod when he was trying to kill the baby Jesus.
Some big towns and cities have Epiphany Parades with each King having a big
float that is shaped like a camel. Sometimes there are also real camels in the parade. The
Three Kings in the the Spanish Epiphany are:
Gaspar, who has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) and wears a green
cloak and a gold crown with green jewels on it. He is the King of Sheba. Gaspar represents
the Frankincense brought to Jesus. Frankincense is sometimes used in worship in Churches
and showed that people worship Jesus.
Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard and wears a gold cloak. He
is the King of Arabia. Melchior represents the Gold brought to Jesus. Gold is associated with
Kings and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings.
Balthazar, who has black skin and a black beard (or no beard!) and wears a purple
cloak. He is the King of Tarse and Egypt. Balthazar represents the gift of Myrrh that was
brought to Jesus. Myrrh is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them smell nice and
showed that Jesus would suffer and die.
Christmas in the Basque Country
In the Basque country (which is a part of northern Spain and southern France),
on Christmas Eve, children's presents are delivered by a magical man called Olentzero. He's
a big, overweight man wearing a beret and smoking a pipe. He dresses like a Basque farmer.
Christmas in Catalonia
In the Catalonia province of Spain there's a Christmas character called 'Ti de
Nadal' (the Christmas log) or he's sometimes known as 'Caga tio' (the pooping log!). It's a
small hollow log propped up on two legs with a smiling face painted on one end. From the 8th
December (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) Catalan families gives the log a few
morsels of food to 'eat' and a blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Day or Christmas Eve,
the log then 'gives out' small gifts! People sing songs and hit the log with sticks to help its
'digestion' and the log drops sweets, nuts, and dried fruits. When garlic or an onion falls out
of the log, all of the treats are finished for the year.
CHRISTMAS IN
FINLAND
Finnish people believe thatSanta Claus or Father Christmaslives in
the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi (or Lapland), north of the Arctic
Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland.
There is a big tourist theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of
Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives.
It means that Santa doesn't have far to travel on Christmas Eve to
deliver presents to people in Finland! If he doesn't get a chance to deliver the
present personally he will often leave them under theChristmas Tree.
In Finland, Santa might also be known as Joulupukki! (This really
means 'Christmas Goat' as it was traditional in Finland that there was a Yule
Goat who was scary and asked people for presents - and certainly didn't give any
out! Over time the goat became the gift giver and then Santa took over the gift
giving duties but the name of the Christmas Goat was still retained in Finland!)
Joulupukki rides with reindeer leaves gifts under the Christmas tree but if you
have been naughty you could end up with a bag of coal!
In Finnish Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Hyv Joulua'.Everyone tries to
be at home for Christmas, including fishermen who try to get their boats into the
harbour by December 21st, St. Thomas' Day
CHRISTMAS IN
MALI
Mali is a mainly Muslim country, but Christmas is also an official public holiday.
In Mali, most Christmas celebrations take place in Churches, where people remember
the real meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came into the world as a baby.
The festivities begin on Christmas Eve with an all night service which includes
worship, preaching and items performed by different groups including children and
young people. The children memorize bible verses to recite on Christmas day at Church,
as do the women. At the Christmas Eve service, each language group gets up and sings a
song in their language.
There is often a baptismal service on the day after Christmas (Boxing Day),
although this is sometimes held in the week before Christmas. Baptismal Services are
special services where Christians make a public statement that they follow Jesus. This is
normally done by being totally immersed (dunked) in water.
Some people can spend over 30 hours in Church over the Christmas period!
After Christmas the women's group of the Church often goes around to different
courtyards (of houses) to greet people, sing and dance. The Church choir also does the
same. If they come to your yard it is customary to give a small gift of money to the group.
This is after Christmas Carol Singing!
Not many people give and receive presents at Christmas in Mali. It is only normally
done by rich families.
Thank you to Gordon and Cheryl Roedding from Bamako, Mali and Jo Bowman for
their help in giving me information on Christmas in Mali!
CHRISTMAS IN GREEZE
On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing
'kalanda' (carols) in the streets. They play drums and triangles as they sing.
Sometimes the will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted
gold. Carrying a boat is a very old custom in the Greek Islands.
If the children sing well, they might be given money, nuts, sweets and
dried figs to eat.
Christmas Trees are becoming more popular in Greece, but they aren't
traditional. Instead most houses will have a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of
wire is suspended across the rim. A sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross
hangs from the wire. Some water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and
fresh. Once a day, someone, usually the mother of the family, dips the cross and basil
into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house.
This is believed to keep the 'Killantzaroi' (bad spirits) away. The
Killantzaroi are meant to appear only during the 12-day period from
Christmas to theEpiphany(January 6th). They are supposed to come from the
middle of the earth and get into people's house through the chimney! The
Killantzaroi do things like putting out fires and making milk go off. Having a fire
burning through the twelve days of Christmas is also meant to keep the Killantzaroi
away.
Every December, in Aristotelous Square in the city of Thessaloniki
(which is the second biggest city Greece) a huge Christmas Tree and three masted
sailing ship are put up. It's a popular tourist attraction.
Going to a Midnight Mass Service is very important for most Greeks. After
the service people can go home and end their Advent fast. The main Christmas meal
is often Lamb or pork, roasted in an oven or over an open spit. It's often served with a
spinach and cheese pie and various salads and vegetables. Other Christmas and new
year foods include 'Baklava' (a sweet pastry made of filo pastry filled with chopped
nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey), Kataifi (a pastry made from a special form
of shredded filo dough and flavored with nuts and cinnamon), Theeples (a kind of fried
pastry). Another popular Christmas dessert are melomakarono, egg or oblong shaped
biscuit/cakes made from flour, olive oil, and honey and rolled in chopped walnuts.
A traditional table decoration are loaves of 'christopsomo' (Christ bread). It's
a round sweet loaf and the crust is often decorated with what the family do for a living
(if you're a fisherman there would be fish, etc.).
In Greek Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Kala Christougenna'.In Greece,
presents are often brought to children by Aghios Vassilis / (Saint
Basil) on the 1st January.1st January, New Years Day, is St Vasilis's Day who is also
known as St Basil the Great.
People in Greece also celebrate Epiphany on the 6th January. In the Greek
Orthodox Church, Epiphany celebrates Jesus's baptism when he was a man. It's also
known as 'The Blessing of the Waters'. There are many events throughout the country
where young men dive into really cold lakes, rivers and the sea to try to be first to get
a cross which has been blessed by a priest and thrown into the water. Whoever gets
the cross first is meant to have good luck during the coming year. Epiphany festivals
also include blessings of boats & ships, music, dancing and lots of food.
CHRISTMAS IN LEBANON
In Lebanon, 35% of the population follow a form of Christianity
called Maronite Catholic. These Christians build manger scenes in their
homes called a Nativity Crib. The crib is more popular than a Christmas
Tree. It's traditional for the scene to be based around a cave rather than a
stable. It's often decorated with sprouted seeds such as chickpeas, broadbeans, lentils, oats and wheat that have been grown on damp cotton wool in
the weeks leading up to Christmas. The crib scene then becomes a focus for
the prayer of people in the house.
Other common Catholic traditions such as going to a midnight mass
service are also celebrated in Lebanon.
In the capital city, Beirut, big and glamourous Christmas parties
are held in major hotels and lots of people like going to them, even if they're
not Christian. Western-style commercial displays of poinsettias, Christmas
lights, holly and community Christmas trees are also becoming more
popular, although some people don't like as they think they are too
commercial.
When people visit each other houses over the Christmas period,
sugared almonds are often eaten with strong cups of coffee.
In Lebanon most people speak Arabic, so Happy/Merry Christmas
is Eid Milad Majid ( ) which means 'Glorious Birth Feast' or you
could say Kul 'am wa enta bi-khair which means 'may every year find you in
good health'. French is also spoken so you could wish people Joyeux Nol!
In Lebanon, Santa Claus/Father Christmas is known as Baba Nol.
CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN
Around Christmas time in Sweden, one of the biggest
celebrations is St. Lucia's Day (or St. Lucy's Day) on December 13th.
The celebration comes from stories that were told by Monks who first
brought Christianity to Sweden.
St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed
for her faith, in 304AD. The most common story told about St Lucia
is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in
Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would
wear candles on her head so she had both her hands free to carry
things. Lucy means 'light' so this is a very appropriate name.
December 13th was also the Winter Solstice, the shortest day
of the year, in theold 'Julian' Calendarand a pagan festival of lights
in Sweden was turned into St. Lucia's Day.
St. Lucia's Day is now celebrated by a girl dressing in a white
dress with a red sash round her waist and a crown of candles on her
head. Small children use electric candles but from about 12 years old,
real candles are used!
CHRISTMAS IN ZIMBABWE
For most people in Zimbabwe, Christmas day starts with a Church
service. After the Church service, everyone has a party in their homes and
people go from house to house, visiting all of their family and friends on
the way home! Sometimes, this can take all of the rest of the day! At every
house you have something to eat, exchange presents and enjoy the party!
A lot of people get their biggest stereo speakers out and put them out
side the front of the house and play their favourite music very loudly! It is
not only Christmas music that is played, but also the latest pop tunes and
old African favourites!
Everyone wears their best clothes for Christmas, as for some
families the only new clothes they get every year are for Christmas. The
parties are a good place to show off their new clothes.
Children in Zimbabwe believe thatSanta Clausbrings them there
presents early on Christmas Day, ready to show their friends at Church
and at the parties.
Only the main room in the house is often decorated in Zimbabwe.
Some Zimbabweans have a traditional 'European'Christmas Tree, but
they decorate the room with plants likeIvy. This is draped around the
whole of the top of room.
CHRISTMAS IN MALAYSIA
When someone mentions Christmas, snow, decorated pine trees, presents and of
course, Santa Claus comes to mind. Its close to impossible to have a white Christmas in
Malaysia but this doesnt mean that the celebrations are less festive, for Christmas is celebrated
the Malaysian way!
Many look forward to the Christmas decorations put up by the shopping malls. The
set up is certainly pretty with gigantic Christmas trees; some are even as tall as six storeys and
are heavily decked with baubles, candy canes and angels. The malls change their theme each
year and try to outdo each other, only to our benefit. One year, we had one mall scattered with
life-sized teddy bears in line with their Beary Christmas theme while another had real fake
snow falling, leading to an elderly man exclaiming, Wow, theres snow, theres snow!. We were
actually there the first time Pavilion KL started this snowwy tradition. Hundreds came to the
square in front of the mall, to see the snow coming down (it was actually a soap-like substance,
but nobody minded and everybody had a great time).
As Christmas approaches, dont be surprised to find the Christmas spirit in even the
non-Christians. Malaysians from all walks of life spend the Christmas holidays visiting their
friends with their families. At Christmas countdowns in selected locations, you can see people
enjoying the festive cheer and wishing each other happy holidays and Merry Christmas.
You can see people wearing the signature red cap of St Nicholas and grooving to the
beat of Christmas songs. There is even caroling in some malls and the audience are from
different walks of life and religion too. At the workplace, colleagues organize a secret Santa
event to exchange gifts, where every member of the team shares the spirit of giving, regardless
of status, age or race. Christmas is not exclusively for Christians here in Malaysia but its
celebrated by all in their own unique way without disrespecting their own religion.
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