Every family has their own traditions for Christmas. In America most families decorate Christmas trees, visit family, decorate with lights, attend a special church service, leave cookies out for Santa, and open presents on Christmas day; but what about the rest of the world? How do they celebrate Christmas?
In Ecuador, Christmas Day is celebrated as a community. The Indians, who live and work in the mountains, dress in their finest clothes and ride their llamas down to the ranches where their employers live. They bring gifts of fruit, which they lay before an image of the Christ child. Then everyone celebrates together with a huge fiesta where the owner of the ranch distributes gifts to all the employees and their families.
In Puerto Rico, carolers begin early in the Christmas season by going house to house dressed in costumes they imagine the three Wise Men might have worn. The carolers are given food and drink, and often the occupants of the house will then join them as they travel throughout the town.
In Ethiopia, people receive candles as they arrive at church on Christmas Day. After lighting the candles, everyone walks around the church three times and then stands for the entire service, which can last up to three hours. Children usually receive very simple gifts such as clothing.
In Zimbabwe, everyone dresses in their finest clothes to begin the day with a church service. Following church, people travel from house to house to visit family and friends, eat food, and exchange presents. To accompany the party-like atmosphere, people gather their biggest stereo speakers and place them outside of their houses to play Christmas music for everyone to hear.
In the Philippines, children do not have Christmas trees. They decorate their homes with flags, palms, and lots of colorful flowers. Also a candle is kept burning in their window sill all night long. Colorful wreaths made of tropical flowers are worn by Filipino children as they walk in a parade that follows a church service. A band leads the parade and provides music for the children’s singing.
In the Ukraine, “Holy Supper” is the central tradition of the Christmas Eve celebrations. The dinner table sometimes has a few pieces of hay on the table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. When the children see the first star in the eastern evening sky, they may begin to eat supper and sing carols as a family in celebration.
In France, Christmas is called “Noel” which means “The Good News.” Every French home displays a “crèche,” or Nativity scene which serves as a centerpiece for the Christmas season. They also make a traditional yule log shaped cake called the “buche de Nol,” which means “Christmas Log.” On Christmas Eve, beautifully lit churches and cathedrals ring out Christmas carols with the church bells.
The Christmas tree originated in Germany. It has special meaning for children because they are not allowed to see it until Christmas Eve. While the children are occupied in another room, the parents bring out the Christmas tree to decorate it and place the presents under the tree. When everything is ready, the children come into the room and carols are sung, the Christmas story is read, and gifts are opened.
From these many examples, it’s easy to see that every culture, every country, and every family has their own way of making Christmas special. I believe that it’s important to enjoy tradition and to have a Merry Christmas!