Christmas Around the World

How Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world

From the time we are very young, we have a clear idea of what our holiday celebrations will be like. They may change slightly the older we get, but the people and the traditions remain the same. Just as each family has a different style in celebrating their holiday, the countries around the world have entirely different traditions and celebrations. Here are just a few insights into some of the interesting traditions around the world that might appeal to your family.

Christmas in China is celebrated by Christians who light their homes with delightful paper lanterns and by decorating their Christmas trees. They call their Christmas trees ‘trees of light’ which are decorated with paper flowers, paper chains and paper lanterns. The children string up their muslin stockings in anticipation of a visit from Santa Claus. Santa Claus is called ‘Dun Che Lao Ren’ in China which is translated to mean ‘Christmas Old Man”. There aren’t a large number of Christians in China so the main winter festival is the Chinese New Year, which takes place in late January. The name of the festival is actually the Spring Festival and it is also when the children receive their abundance of gifts. A very significant part of this celebration is the honoring of ancestors.

Christmas in Iran is quite different from many other regions of the world. Iran is the where the three wise men were thought to have dwelt when Jesus was born. Today, Christians who live in Iran start a fast from animal products at the very beginning of December. After mass on Christmas Day, the Christians dine on a Christmas dinner, which includes a chicken stew called harasa. Gifts are not a traditional part of their celebration, but the children often receive new clothing, which they wear to celebrate the day.

The entire continent of South America considers the celebration of Christmas to be a profoundly religious one. The nativity scene is the focal point of both decorations and celebrations. It is not uncommon to enter a home and find a room completely dedicated to the nativity. Sometimes the nativity is so elaborate that the figures, including the animals, are made life-sized. The concentration of Christmas is based solely on the religious meaning and nothing else.

If any of these different types of celebrations interest you or you are curious about another region of the world, a little research might just lead you to find some new traditions you would like to make a part of your holiday celebrations. However you celebrate, have a very Merry Christmas!

This article appears in the Christmas 2004 issue of 'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine'. To download a FREE copy of the entire magazine packed with illustrated articles on holiday recipes, crafts, home decor, party planning tips, gift ideas and family fun activities for Christmas, go to http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/magazine.shtml