ASHLAND — At this time of the year, most Americans are busy attending school Christmas programs, shopping for gifts, cooking, meeting with friends and family, decorating, and attending church services.
It’s a busy time of the year here but did you ever wonder what people in other countries do to celebrate the Birth of Jesus?
Christmas celebrations vary from nation to nation because of distinct customs, cultures and religious practices passed on throughout the centuries. However, for most Christians in other countries, traditions often include the same or similar traditions that we practice.
Some countries are in the middle of summer when Christmas arrives while others are buried in snow. Sometimes it is celebrated the day before, day of, or day after depending on the government or culture.
I have listed some of the traditions in other countries that are a little different from those here.
— In Argentina, the weather is warm and homes are decorated with wreaths of gold with red and white flowers. Cotton balls are placed on the Christmas tree to look like snow. A nativity scene is the most important decoration and it set up near the tree. Fireworks are heard everywhere to celebrate the Birth of Jesus.
— Christmas falls at the peak of summer in Australia. December 25 and the day after (Boxing Day) are national holidays and workers receive time off with pay. Santa is pulled by kangaroos instead of reindeer and Carols by Candlelight is an annual concert and charity event that is important in their culture.
— In Jerusalem, people who visit Bethlehem enjoy the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square. This is believed to be the location where Mary sang Baby Jesus to sleep. Next door is also Catherine’s Church where thousands of tourists come to look and pray every Christmas season.
— If you live in the Czech Republic, you try not to drink milk or eat eggs and meat. It is an important time to confess sins. Fish scales are placed under dinner plates for good luck. Gifts are brought by Baby Jesus, not Santa Claus. Fish soup and breaded roasted carp with special homemade potato salad are a traditional dish for the dinner.
— In Greece, some wrap a sprig of basil around a wooden cross, dip it in water and sprinkle the water around the house to drive evil spirits away. Christ bread is made into sweet loaves with crispy crust.
— In the week before Christmas, poor children dress up as shepherds in Italy. They go from house to house singing and playing flutes. People will provide them with money to help purchase a few gifts to celebrate the Birth of Jesus. Nativity scenes are called “cribs” and everyone wants to build the best. The first ever crib may have been carved in Italy.
— Christmas is not considered a religious holiday in Japan and is celebrated more like Valentine’s Day. People put up a tree and buy gifts and many Japanese weddings occur on Dec. 25. Japanese Christmas cake, is a white sponge cake covered with cream and decorated with strawberries. It, and Stollen cake are dessert traditions in Japan.
— People from the Netherlands hold a special feast on Dec. 6 to honor St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. Since the area is a country of sailors, they enjoy salmon, fish and eel for their Christmas meal.
— At one time, Romanians were unable to celebrate Christmas. Christians there are now able to walk through their towns singing Christmas carols as they walk behind a large wooden star covered with metal foil. There is a picture of a nativity scene fastened in the middle of the star and it is carried on a simple broomstick.
— In Poland, mothers thoroughly clean house for Christmas. Another custom is to fast on Christmas Eve to show they are sorry for their sins. When the first star appears on Christmas night, a 12-course feast is eaten. Each course represents one of Jesus’ disciples and an extra seat at the table is always left open for a guest.
— In Ukraine, some people celebrate Christmas on December 25 while others celebrate on Jan. 7. A common custom is to place a loaf of bread with the lit candle in the middle of the table on Christmas Eve. This is done to represent that Christ is the light of the world. Stalks of wheat are also placed on the table as a remembrance of the manger.
— It wasn’t until 2008 that Christmas was first observed as an official holiday in Iraq. Because it is primarily a Muslim country, Christmas is not largely celebrated. Decorations are difficult to find. Christmas is similar to a dedicated family day and people spend the day meeting relatives, and friends, praying and attending local churches. Iraqi Christians prefer keeping Christmas celebrations simple and quiet and often spend Christmas Eve making cookies.
— In Nigeria, English is the official language but there are also 250 tribal groups who speak one or two dialects. Yesu yana Kaunacce Ni means Jesus loves me. Nigerians celebrate with many pageants that tell the story of Christmas. Sometimes the pageants last for hours. The drum is referred to as the heartbeat of the country so many drums are heard on Christmas Eve to welcome the arrival of the Baby Jesus.
— Until Fidel Castro came into power, Cuba had a long tradition of celebrating Christmas. Families gathered at the dining table attended to Mass after dinner. Castro abolished the paid Christmas holiday in 1969, stating workers were needed to continue the sugar harvest. In 1998, the Regime declared Dec. 25 a leisure day, as requested by Pope John Paul II as a condition to visit the country. It is a one-day public holiday and it is celebrated only in the evening.
— Christmas in Ireland is the largest celebration of all and lasts from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6, although many view Dec. 8 as being the start of the season. Most workers are gone by lunch on Christmas Eve, if not already off and many people do not return to work until after New Year’s Day. It is extremely popular on Christmas Eve to go for “the Christmas drink” in the local pub. Neighbors and friends attend each other’s houses for Christmas drinks and parties on the days leading up to and after Christmas Day.
Religious services for Midnight Mass and Christmas Day are well-attended. Most families arrange for prayers for their deceased family during Mass as it is a time of remembering the dead in Ireland.
Graves at Christmas are decorated with a wreath made of holly and ivy. Window candles are also an important tradition. Dessert after Christmas dinner is a very rich selection of Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and mince pies with rich sauces such as brandy butter.
I didn’t mention why some countries celebrate on dates other than or in addition to Dec. 25 so have some family fun during your Christmas gatherings by looking up these dates and their importance.
Whether your family Christmas traditions originated from generations ago or are more modern and relaxed, we at the Ashland County Historical Society wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
