Christmas in other
Countries
Now that the month of December is fastly approaching, HOW
takes a look at how Christmas is celebrated around the world.
Sweden = In Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is St
Lucia’s Day (or St Lucy’s Day) on December 13th, which comes from
stories told by monks who brought Christianity to Sweden. St Lucia was a
martyred Christian girl killed for her faith in 304 AD. Legend has it that she
would bring food to persecuted Christians living in Rome, hiding in the
catacombs underneath the city. The event was preceded by a Pagan festival of
lights and is now celebrated by a girl in a white dress (with a red sash around
her waist and a crown of candles on her head.
Spain = The most important aspect of a Spanish Christmas is
Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which is preceded by the main Christmas meal. A
traditional Spanish Christmas dinner consists of turkey stuffed with truffles.
After the midnight service, a procession takes place through the streets
involving people carrying torches and playing various instruments.
Russia = Christmas in Russia is now celebrated on the 7th
of January, as the date is different because the Russian Orthodox Church uses
the old calendar for religious celebrations. Russians also celebrated Advent,
which runs from the 28th November to the 6th of January.
Poland = In Poland, Christmas starts with Advent. Excess is
prohibited during this time, and people often give up their favourite food and drinks
and parties are also scarce during this time. Christmas Eve in Poland is
traditionally a day of fasting, although a special meal is eaten after the
first star appears in the sky. Meat cannot be eaten on this day and the meal
usually consists of beetroot soup, pasta and fish.
The Netherlands = Dutch children traditionally receive
presents on the 5th of December and major celebrations are also held
on this day. St Nicholas’ Day takes place on the 6th and involves St
Nicholas travelling around the country – sometimes he even travels to the Palace
in Amsterdam!
Mexico = Christmas is celebrated from the 12th of
December to the 6th of January in Mexico. During this time many “Posadas”
(processions) are held, celebrating the part of the Christmas story where Mary
and Joseph are looking for room in an inn. This involves several children
calling at the homes of neighbours and friends, they then sing a song and are
told there is no room and that they must leave. Eventually they come to a house
where they are told there is room and they go in to say a prayer of thanks and
they then have a party with food, games and fireworks.
France = In France, Nativity scenes are widely used to
decorate houses. They also burn Yule Logs (usually made of Cherry Wood), which
are sprinkled with red wine to make them smell nice when burning. They are kept
burning during the night with food and drinks left out in case Mary and the
baby Jesus visit during the night. In French tradition, Santa is dressed in
black. Rather than the traditional Christmas pudding served in the UK, the
French tend to eat chocolate yule log cake.
China = China is a mostly secular country with only a small
minority of Christians. When Christmas is celebrated it is usually in the major
cities and in a similar fashion to Western society, with Christmas trees,
lights and Santa’s grottos on display. Giving apples on Christmas Eve is
becoming a popular tradition (this is because Christmas Eve in Chinese is known
as “Ping An Ye” – meaning silent night – and the Chinese word for apple is “Ping
Guo” so they sound similar).
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