Countries Which Celebrate Christmas

Countries Which Celebrate Christmas

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. This feast was created by the pope to promote Christianity and choose pagan festivals noted at the winter solstice.

During the 4th century, the pope decided to bring the Christmas day on December 25th.

This day has always been represented by religious ceremonies and gifts and greetings exchange.

Here are some Christmas symbols:

* The Advent consists of a burning candle each Sunday four weeks before December 24th; which symbolize the rebirth of light after the winter solstice.

* The December 24th Midnight Mass; which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

* The Christmas Crib; which symbolizes the birth of Jesus in Christian homes.

* The Christmas tree, a symbol from the pagan celebration and representing life.

* The Yule log; which represents the log that we assign in the fireplace to warm up on December 24th Eve.

* Santa Claus, an American creation, inspired by the Christian Saint Nicholas (famous in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Alsace) . This character wears a luxurious red cape, he has a long white beard and wears a red miter, he also holds a golden crosier. Saint Nicholas rewards kindly children while his companion Pere Fouettard/Black Peter punishes foul children) and the elf Yule Goat, noted in Scandinavian countries.

Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved and December 24th Eve with our family, replaced the religious ceremonies.

The gift exchange: luxurious for the rich people and useful - sometimes only one orange - for the terrible people, has been replaced by the current marketing. People not only buys gifts but also use lots of money in decoration items, food, drink...

The secularization of our society removed the fair meaning of Christmas Time; which is, obviously, becoming a pagan feast.

Here are some countries which celebrate Christmas:

Belgium:

We have a festival especially dedicated to children; which is Saint Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) on December 6th. The titanic Patron of Schoolboys, who is supposed to bring candies in their shoes, brings in fact toys by the thousands to our children.

In Belgium, Noël is rather reserved for adults: the streets are decorated and illuminated, we decorate our houses, windows, gardens, trees. Belgium seems to forget that it is a Catholic country and closes more and more churches, therefore, the Midnight Mass on December 24th usually happens at 6 or 8 PM. We then eat with our family and at 12 PM we exchange our gifts. Children usually receive a book or some clothes.

Christmas Day has tiny meaning but practicing Catholic go to church. Belgian people visit their family on January 1st. In the Belgian Ardens, people celebrate December 31st.

France:

Noël is dedicated to children. The streets and the houses are decorated several weeks in approach. French people have lots of Christmas customs: Christmas Markets, tree, the Christmas Dinner, Pere Noel, gifts, stories, songs, turkey, The Christmas Crib, the Yule Log, and so on. In Alsace, however, Saint Nicholas predominates on Santa Claus.

The Netherlands:

They organize their St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) festival: the outmoded bearded man traveling by boat and accompanied by many shaded aids, who distributes gifts to kindly children. Dutch people reserve the titanic gifts for Kerstmis Time because they profit for some colossal bargains after Sinter Klaas.

Germany:

Weinhachten in Germany lasts two days. On December 26th they visit their family and their friends. Christ-Kind offers gifts to the children on December 24th families and friends. Germany has also a Saint Nicholas festival on December 6th.

gigantic Britain:

This holiday is distinguished in England with enthusiasm. Children issue "Carols" in the streets, they eat the notorious "Xmas Pudding" at the raze their family dinner on December 25th. In England, Santa Claus fills the English children socks with gifts. British people also exchange greeting cards; which are a British creation.

Spain:

If Santa Claus has shrimp importance in Spain (Magi distribute gifts to children on January 6th), Spanish people decorate the streets with lights during the month of December. The windows of the shops are filled with lots of gifts and Spanish celebrate the Navidad Evening with their family.

Portugal:

Natal Eve is a holiday. The Portuguese help the Midnight Mass; which is the "Missa Do Galo". If there is no Christmas tree in Portugal, there is nevertheless a "Wooden Natal".

Italy:

Natale lasts three days, from December 24th till 26th. However, Natale traditions vary from one residence to another one and, depending on the plot it is Babo Natale (Father Christmas) or the "Gesu Bambino" (diminutive Jesus) who brings gifts on December 25th. The Italian Christmas dessert is "Panettone".

Scandinavian Countries:

During the Christmas Dinner, Scandinavian people reserve a set for the souls of the deceased members of their family. Once they accomplish to eat, they read the bible. The whole family is singing Christmas songs and dance around the Christmas tree.

Other European countries:

In Romania, on December 24th, there is a Christmas candle burning until the morning of December 25th. In Russia, Christmas Day happens on January 7th, according to the Orthodox calendar. In Greece the Christmas period begins on Christmas Eve and ends at the Epiphany. Christmas is less valuable than Easter.

USA:

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus is coming to deliver the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. American people adore to celebrate Christmas and state up a decorated Christmas in their home. Children hang empty stocks empty on the fireplace and on the Christmas morning they salvage them filled with candy and exiguous toys.

Canada:

Houses, shops and streets are decorated with lights. Canadian people decorate their house with a Christmas tree, a Christmas wrap, a Christmas Crib... After the "Midnight Mass" people have a Christmas Eve with their family. Turkey and the Christmas log are the principal ingredients of a Canadian Christmas Dinner. They send greeting cards to their friends and family who live far away.

South America:

Peruvian people have Christmas parties but also learn to live better on christmas time. Their Christmas season lasts a plump week. Mexican people celebrate Christmas with Las Posadas (pilgrimages representing the path by the Mary and Joseph) . They celebrate the last Posada on the Christmas morning and then commence the Christmas dinner. I Guatemala, immigrants have imported their German customs and the Christmas tree is vital but the Christmas gifts are reserved to the children. Gift exchange for adults is on January 1st.

Australia:

Christmas happens during the summertime, so Australian people celebrate Christmas at the beach. People eat frosty turkey and pudding.

fresh Zealand:

If there are few decorations, recent Zealand people organize Christmas parades and people suppose in the parks. They also organize their celebrated "Christmas barbecue".

Japan:

Christmas is merely commercial significance in Japan. This festival represents Saint Nicholas and it is an opportunity to offer gifts to shrimp children.

China:

If Christmas Day is not a holiday, Christmas is noted in Chinese cities. This festival was imported into this country by foreign missionaries. For the Chinese people who celebrate it, Christmas is a religious event.