Christmas in India - Shub Naya Baras!

Christmas may only be celebrated by a small percentage of the Indian population, but it is celebrated. Only around 2.3% of the population in India are Christians, but that does equal out to about 25 million people. Similar to the US you will find Christmas trees in India, common Christmas decorations, nativity scenes and some closed schools and businesses. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December.

Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a wide spread tradition that is very important to Catholic Indians.Father Christmas, Christmas Baba in Hindi, visits children who have been good throughout the year and delivers presents by horse and cart. A decoration specific to India are paper lanterns in the shape of stars. These are hung between houses so they float over the sidewalks below.

Star Lanterns

Looking into specific regions of India, you can find some unique traditions. In some areas it is more common to find a decorated banana or mango tree instead of a pine. Banana and mango leaves might also be used to decorate the home. In southern parts of India families place clay oil lamps on their flat roofs to symbolize the light of Jesus. The Bhil of the northern regions celebrate by going out and singing carols each night for the week leading up to Christmas.

So happy Indian Christmas - in several languages below!

Hindi - Bade Din ki Mubarak
Sanskrit - Krismasasya shubhkaamnaa
Bengali - Barodiner shubhechha janai
Tamil - Christhu Jayanthi Nalvaalthukal

Christmas in Mexico - Feliz Navidad!

Ready for another origin story? Well, how about Poinsettias as Christmas flowers? The legend goes back to 16th century Mexico when it is told a child who was unable to buy a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday was told by an angel to pick the weeds alongside the church. Upon placing the weeds at the alter they blossomed into the beautiful red bloom of a poinsettia. In the 17th century Franciscan friars in Mexico were using the flowers in Christmas decorations. The star shape of the flower represents the star of Bethlehem, while the color represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus. Poinsettia's were brought to America by botanist Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1825, and obviously given a new name. The plant as an American Christmas decoration didn't become popular until the early 1900s.

Celebrations in Mexico often include a Posada, which is a procession reenacting the night Joseph and Mary searched for an inn. Children go door-to-door singing songs and asking for shelter. Each house will tell the children there is no room. Eventually, a designated place is reached where the children are welcomed in for prayer and a party. The procession may include music, people dressed as Mary and Joseph, or children carrying lanterns.

Christmas pinatas are also common. The pinatas are usually shaped in the form of a star with seven points. Each point represents one of the seven deadly sins. The candy and treats inside represent the blessings that God gives to us. And of course most people know that children are blindfolded and given a bat with which they attempt to hit and break open the pinata so the candy falls out.

The main day of celebration in Mexico falls on January 6th, Epiphany...El Dia de los Reyes (The Day of the Three Kings). On the eve of Epiphany children put their shoes outside filled with hay for the animals the Wise Men ride. The Wise Men then leave gifts for the children, which are opened on the 6th. A special cake is shared that day called Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake). Inside the cake is a small figure of Jesus (or other small trinket). Whoever receives the slice with the figure receives something special, or a special privilege. Or they may be required to make tamales for the Candlemas celebration on February 2nd, celebrating the day Jesus was taken to the church to be named, and marking the end of the Christmas season.

I'm thinking I'm going to celebrate the Mexican way and leave all my Christmas decorations up until February 2nd!

Feliz Navidad everyone!

Christmas in England - Happy Christmas!

Now we come to the origin of the Christmas Card. The first ever Christmas cards were illustrated by John Callcott Horsley in London in 1843. The card depicted a family sitting together drinking wine and read "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." 2,050 cards were produced and sold for a shilling each. The first Christmas card in America was offered in 1875. The first official White House Christmas card was sent in 1953 by Dwight D. Eisenhower. I don't know how you get on the list to receive a White House Christmas card, but in 2005 1.4 million people received one.

The first Christmas card

Christmas decorations and Christmas trees are very popular in England. Every year Norway presents England with a Christmas tree, and has been doing so since 1947. The tree is a gift of thanks for the help England provided to Norway during the Second World War. The tree is usually a Norway Spruce and is lit in Trafalgar Square in London.

Children hang stockings or pillow cases (brilliant, just think how much bigger pillow cases are!) either on the fireplace mantel or the foot of their beds. Father Christmas comes on Christmas Eve to fill the stockings (or pillow cases) and leave gifts. Gifts are opened Christmas day, a day spent with family. Families may attend mass, and usually have a Christmas dinner. Most noted is the dessert of Christmas Pudding.

The tradition of pudding goes back to medieval England and the original recipe included 13 ingredients to symbolize the 12 apostles and Christ. It was to be made on the 25th Sunday after Trinity (a few weeks before Christmas) and each member of the family would take a turn stirring counterclockwise (east to west) to represent the direction the Wise Men traveled. Of course there are many different recipes and ways to make the pudding now. Sometimes wishes are made while stirring, or small coins are baked into the pudding which are to be kept by whoever receives that slice. Yes, slice. We're talking more of a fruit cake than a bowl of squishy, jiggly pudding.

Another English tradition is pantomime. These are musical, comedic theatrical productions performed around Christmas which usually contain a moral and good prevailing over evil. Current day pantomimes have evolved from the Mummer's Plays performed thousands of years ago in England.

So with that I wish you a Happy Christmas!

Christmas in Ireland - Nollaig Shona Duit!

As is the same with most other countries Christmas is celebrated from Christmas Eve until January 6th, which you should well know by now is known as Epiphany. However, in Ireland the 6th is also referred to as Little Christmas or Little Women's Christmas. This is usually the day decorations are taken down, but not by the women. Oh no, this day is a day for the women to relax or go out and have fun while the men take care of the housework and chores. Ireland, you're doing it right.

Orrrr...maybe not. Because before Christmas arrives the houses are whitewashed and cleaned top to bottom. Every inch of the inside and outside of the house, plus the barns and stalls are cleaned. Much like our time of spring cleaning.

Decorations in Ireland revolve primarily around the use of Holly. The green plant and red berries is widely used in the US (think wreaths), but the tradition began in Ireland. As an easily available plant, it was used as decorations so that even the poor were able to make their homes festive. It was used far before Christmas trees became popular in the country. Families would go out and find Holly together, looking for a tree with plentiful berries, as they were seen as lucky. And the holly went everywhere, behind hanging photos, on the mantel, dressers, etc.

On Christmas Eve families light a candle (or put up an electric candle) in the window to symbolize lighting the way for Mary and Joseph. It also symbolizes welcoming and warmth for friends and family. A Christmas cake, which women begin to prepare weeks before Christmas, is usually first cut on Christmas Eve. The cake is made with dried fruit, nuts, spices, and soaked in whiskey or brandy. Santa Clause, Daidi na Nollag (Daddy of Christmas) brings children presents on Christmas Eve and children leave out cookies and milk. Although in years past Santa might have enjoyed a mince pie and a glass of Guinness.

On Christmas day people may take part in the traditional Christmas swim...in the freezing cold water...in the freezing cold weather. Money is raised for charity at events all over the country, and some say it's a great hangover cure. The day after Christmas is known as St. Stephen's Day, or the Day of the Wren. A legend tells of St. Stephen (one of the first Christian martyrs) who was hiding from enemies and then betrayed by the chirping of a wren, and was later stoned to death. In days long ago on the 26th boys would hunt and stone a wren to death, then tie it to a stick and parade around town. These days a model wren is tied to a stick and boys may go door to door asking for charity money.

So have some cake, cut some holly, hide your wren, and Nollaig Shona Duit everyone!

Christmas in Germany - Frohe Weihnachten!

If you have one of those little calendars with a slot that opens each day leading up to Christmas that contains a picture, or chocolate, or small toy, then you've been practicing a German tradition. Many Germans set out an advent wreath, adventskranz, on a table with four candles - a candle for each week of the advent (the time leading up to Christ's birthday). The first candle is lit on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, with another being lit on each consecutive Sunday. The original advent calendars were simple paper cards which opened to reveal a picture, with the 24th spot usually showing the nativity. Now they're filled with all sorts of things, and a fun countdown to Christmas.

We also have Germany to mostly thank for the Christmas tree. The concept of decorating a pine for Christmas originated in Germany in the early 18th century, but was not widely popular until the 1870-1871 war, when the army placed Christmas trees in barracks and military hospitals.

Advent Wreath

Germans have one big Christmas tree difference though, something that doesn't seem to have spread along with the tree's popularity. Kids are not traditionally included in the decorating of the tree. Usually on Christmas Eve (and not before) the tree is placed in a locked room where the parents decorate it. At some point during the night the children are allowed into the room to see the lit and decorated tree, possibly already surrounded by presents.

Christkind

And who brings those presents? Well on December 5th, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children leave out their shoes and boots for Weihnachtsmann ("Christmas Man") to fill with candies and treats if they were good, or sticks if they were naughty. Then on Christmas Eve, December 24th, the children leave out letters for Christkind, a winged crowned figure that leaves presents for Christmas morning. Double the presents for German kids!

So, Frohe Weihnachten everyone!

Christmas In France - Joyeux Noel!

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th in France, but other Christmas celebrations take place throughout the month. In some areas Christmas begins on December 6th, which is la fete de Saint Nicolas. In Lyon, December 8th, la fete de lumieres, is a day to pay homage to the virgin Mary by placing candles in window sills. Also, like Italians, some French celebrate Epiphany...but they celebrate this day on January 1st. (Around the world pick a day and call it Christmas...)

Christmas Eve, the actual Eve of Christmas being December 24th, families traditionally attend la Messe de Minuit, a Catholic midnight mass. After mass there is a large feast known as le Reveillon. Food served might be goose, oysters, turkey, or chicken. It varies by region.

Children put shoes in front of the fireplace that will be filled with gifts from Pere Noel. They will also wake to find that the Christmas tree (sapin de noel in French) has been covered with small toys, fruit, and candy. Naughty children might get a visit from Pere Fouettard, who dishes out spankings instead of toys.

The French too put much emphasis on nativity scenes and reenactments. Plays and puppet shows are used to teach the lessons of Christianity and the meaning behind Christmas. There may also be mistletoe and a yule log, which is burned from Christmas Even until the new year. Or eaten. Sometimes a real yule log is replaced by a cake that resembled a log.

So, Joyeux Noel everyone!

Christmas in Italy - Buon Natale!

Christmas in Italy is celebrated from Christmas Eve to January 6th, the day known as Epiphany. Epiphany is the day that the Three Wise Men arrived to meet and give gifts to Baby Jesus, and is the Italian's main day of celebration.

On the eve of Epiphany children are visited by La Befana. The legend of La Befana tells that the wise men stopped at an old woman's shack to ask for directions, and invited her to come along. She declined, also declining the invitation of a shepherd. Later in the night, when she saw the star in the sky she decided to find the manger. She gathered toys that had belonged to her deceased child and set out, but she got lost and never was able to find the Baby in the manger. La Befana still looks for Baby Jesus, filling children's stockings with toys as she searches. Most interestingly, La Befana is portrayed as an old witch who flies on a broomstick. Halloween meets Christmas.

Although La Befana and the Epiphany are still the most popular traditions, gift-giving on Christmas is also gaining popularity. Toys on Christmas Eve are delivered by Babbo Natale, Santa Claus. Christmas Eve is celebrated with a usually meatless dinner, or in the case of Naples fish is served. Nativity scenes are a main focus of Christmas celebration and decoration, and a live nativity is often held on Christmas Eve, along with bonfires in the main squares.Christmas trees are also becoming popular in Italy. The Guinness Book named the 650 meter (a little over 2,000 feet) tree on Monte Ingino, that is lit up with over 700 lights, "The World's Tallest Christmas Tree."

So, Buon Natale everyone!

Christmas in Africa

I feel like I'm ok to start talking about Christmas, because at least Halloween has passed now. If you still aren't ready for Christmas carols or candy canes, come back in about a month and catch up.

Every family has unique holiday traditions. They might be based on religion, ethnicity, or simply what grandparents and great-grandparents set in motion. But everyone does something - even if it's sitting in front of the tv drinking beer and watching A Christmas Story. It's still something.

This next series is going to be looking at Christmas and the holidays around the world. A different country or region each time. I want to cover a lot, which is why I'm starting now. So deck the halls and grab some egg nog.

First we visit...Africa. And the first thing you must know is that they don't celebrate Kwanzaa, like you might be thinking. Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday, and largely unknown in Africa itself. Africans place the focus of the holiday on spirituality and being together with friends and family; much like we do, but without the attention to gifts and other commercial aspects.Aside from the basic principals, Christmas varies largely from country to country.

Ethiopians and Egyptians celebrate Christmas on a day that is January 7th for most of the world, but is actually December 25th for them. Other countries will be celebrating the same day as those of us in the US. But no white Christmas for them, since December falls in the middle of the African summer.

Although gifts may be exchanged, most families cannot afford this Christmas tradition. You won't find any Santa Clause and toy stores are rare, even in rural areas of Africa. Most gifts that are exchanged are practical items such as books or soaps, or a new set of clothes for church on Christmas morning. Much of Christmas day is spent at church, singing, acting out plays, or dancing in celebration. A meal may be shared with family and friends - and from my reading it seems goat is high on the menu.

There may be some decorating for Christmas, especially in store fronts and shops. Churches and homes may also be decorated, and instead of a pine you may find an adorned mango tree or palm tree. I'm guessing not many snowman images.

Lastly, you should know how to say "Merry Christmas"...so here you go.
Ghana - Afishapa
Zimbabwe - Merry Kisimusi
South Africa - Geseende Kersfees
Tanzania, Kenya - Kuwa na Krismasi njema
Ethiopia - Melkam Yelidet Beaal
Egypt - Colo sana wintom tiebeen
Nigeria - E ku odun, e hu iye' dun