The holiday season is upon us and most Americans are busily preparing to enjoy their favorite Christmas traditions. Our country is so rich with multiple cultures and religions that no two households celebrate the holiday in the exact same manner. Yet, most everyone seems to participate in the December 25 event, regardless of race or creed.
How does the rest of the world celebrate this holiday, if at all? Following are some interesting notes an exploration of the internet uncovered.
Most of our traditional holiday celebrating originates from the ancient pagan (pre-Christian) rituals and feasts to honor the rebirth of the Sun at the Winter Solstice. The festivities would last for days, sometimes weeks. The holiday was called "Yule" and modern Wiccan advocates still intertwine some of the ancient customs with modern traditions during the Christmas season.
The Roman pagans celebrated the solstice by starting with a holiday called Saturnalia on December 17, to honor their God, Saturn. This festival lasted until December 24. Brumalia was then celebrated on December 25, in honor of the Sun, and completed the solstice festivities.
Then along came Roman Emperor Constantine, in the fourth century, whose passion in life was to christianize the world. Most people today recognize Constantine as the man who removed all references to reincarnation and the Mother/Goddess from the gospels. He revised the gospels and had them compiled into a bible. He then lawfully instituted the Roman Catholic Church. Although Constantine developed the concept of Christmas (Christ's Mass) as a Christian celebration of Jesus' birth, it was not mandated as a holy day by the Roman Catholic Church until the fifth century.
The Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic religions do not recognize the December 25 holiday, but do have religious holidays around that season. The Jews commemorate an eight day celebration, starting on December 25, called Hanukkah or Chanukah. The Hindus celebrate Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, on November 7. The Buddhists celebrate the Tibetan Buddhist New Year on February 17. The Islamics celebrate Eid-al-Adha in late December/early January. In one fashion or another, it appears the entire world finds something to celebrate around this time of year.
Cultural interest and traditions are also expressed during this holiday season around the world. Our global neighbors celebrate their ancestral customs in a colorful array of traditions.
The Holy Land
The land traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus is a throng
of tourists during the holiday season. There are three distinct Christmas
Eve celebrations that are held simultaneously. One celebration is held
by the Protestant and Catholics; another by the Greek Orthodox, Coptic
(Egyptian) and Syrian churches; and the third by the Armenian church.
Truly an international event.
The British Isles
Traditional celebrations throughout the British Isles are very similar
to the American style of Christmas. Although, it is interesting to note
that gift giving was done in Britain on New Year's Day up until the Victorian
age. At that point, gift giving was switched to Christmas Day.
The day after Christmas is known as the Feast of St. Stephen or Boxing Day in Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is almost more popular than Christmas. No, this is not the day dad sits in front of the telly watching boxing matches, while mum goes shopping. Rather, it is a holiday which started in medieval times when the lord and lady of an estate would give their workers their annual distribution of clothing, tools and a small money donation. Today, employers still traditionally give their employees gifts of turkeys and money. Distributing funds to the poor is also an important theme of the day.
France
In the past, gift giving and card sending was observed on New Year's Day
in France. Today, gifts are given to children by Pere Noel on St. Nicholas
Eve (December 6) and le petit Jesus on Christmas (December 25). Adults
wait to exchange gifts on New Year's Day. Few homes in France will decorate
a tree. The center of focus in the household is the nativity scene or
crèche. Epiphany or Twelfth Night is another French celebration. The twelfth
day after Christmas is marked as when the Magi arrived to give Jesus his
gifts.
Germany
Germany celebrates the holiday in many ways similar to America. This country
is credited with the popularity of the Advent wreath and the Christmas
tree. The Christmas tree originated long ago in Germany when part of their
holiday celebrations included a pageant about Adam and Eve. A tree was
decorated with red apples, for the play, to represent the forbidden fruit
of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. This tradition has deep
roots in ancient Babylonian customs.
Russia
Since the fall of communism in Russia, citizens are more free to observe
Christian traditions for the holiday. The holiday is usually observed
on December 25, but the Russian Orthodox church uses the Julian calendar,
so their celebration is on January 7. During the reign of the Soviet Union,
Christmas was ignored and Father Frost would bring presents for the children
on New Year's Day.
Poland
Advent (the four weeks preceding Christmas ) is the major celebration
in Poland. Church services are held every morning. Each of the four Sundays
are said to represent 1,000 years of waiting for Christ's arrival. A candle
lit midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, or Wagilia, is the culmination of
their holiday celebration. A popular event on Christmas Eve is fortune
telling by pouring bees wax on water.
Scandinavia
Scandinavian holiday traditions continue to richly reflect the pagan celebrations
of long ago. Their primary focus is "Yuletide," celebrated around
the Winter Solstice. A hundred years ago, Sweden's King Canute declared
the festivities would last an entire month, from December 13 to January
13. The celebration begins with the Feast of St. Lucia. The eldest daughter
in each home wears a wreath of seven candles upon her head. Carols are
sung to St. Lucia, Queen of the Light, to bring hope during the long winter
months. Interestingly, St. Lucia was a Sicilian saint, who was adopted
by the Swedes.
Greece
Christmas customs in Greece sound almost like American Halloween traditions.
The Greeks believe the Killantzaroi, mischievous goblins, emerge from
the center of the earth and enter homes through the chimneys during the
twelve days of Christmas. Christmas trees are seldom used in the homes.
Rather, each home has a shallow wooden bowl of water with basil wrapped
around a wooden cross suspended over the bowl by wire, to ward off the
Killantzaroi. On Christmas Eve young boys sing songs and beat drums and
triangles, as they go from home to home to chase away the Killantzaroi
and receive treats from the residents. Priests will also visit homes on
that night to bless them with holy water, another endeavor to chase away
the unwanted spirits. Gifts are exchanged on New Year's Day.
Italy
St. Francis of Assisi is credited with the popularity of the Nativity
Scene. He asked Giovanni Vellita of the village of Greccio to make a manger
scene as a backdrop to his ceremonies for Mass. This dramatic scene of
the Nativity produced so much interest and devotion in Italy that the
creation of the figurines or pastori has become a traditional folk art.
A strict fast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve. The fast ends with a celebration feast that includes a Milanese cake called panettone. Gift giving is done on January 6, to honor the Feast of the Epiphany.
Africa
Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that is growing in public awareness.
It lasts for seven days, beginning on December 26. Some people mistakenly
believe this is a traditional African holiday. Kwanzaa was originally
developed by African-American Maulana Karenga and was first observed in
1966. The seven day festival is partially based on African harvest festivals,
but primarily focuses on the roles of the family and community in African-American
culture.
Egyptian customs for the holiday center on the traditions of the Coptic Church. A forty day fast from meat, poultry and dairy products is observed prior to the December 7 celebration. New clothes worn to Christmas Eve services is more traditional than gifts. December 25 is considered a public holiday for Christians.
January 7 is the Ethiopian holiday known as, Ganna. It is celebrated in church services, with the men separated from the women, sitting in circles. The choir stands outside of the circles to sing their songs. Small gifts of clothing may be given to the children. Otherwise, gift giving seldom occurs.
Kenya celebrates December 24 by caroling from house to house. The carolers will receive small gifts of money, which are given to their church.
Japan
Japan's population consists of only one percent of Christians. However,
the Christmas holiday is enthusiastically celebrated with decorating and
gift giving.
China
Despite communist rule there are some Christian Chinese who populate China's
countryside. However, their holiday traditions are more influenced by
regional culture than religion. Some Christians in China will decorate
their homes with paper lanterns and decorate trees which they call, "Trees
of Light."
The primary winter holiday in China is the Chinese New Year, celebrated towards the end of January. Gift giving, feasting and fireworks mark this festive event. Ancestors are especially honored during these celebrations with their portraits prominently displayed.
Central and South America
Holiday customs in this area of the world still reflect the historical
traditions inherited from Spain and are deeply religious. The manger or
presepio is the primary focus of the holiday. Sometimes an entire room
in a household is elaborately decorated with shepherds, angels, and the
Wise Men surrounding the manger. On January 6, the three Wise Men bring
gifts to the children.
Thus ends our holiday tour of our tiny globe. May the memorable words of Tiny Tim ring in your ears throughout the season…….."May the God/Goddess bless us, everyone!"
Research resources used for this article:
BOOKS:
Whitcomb, Bill "The
Magician's Companion"
Llewellyn Publications,
1994, ISBN 0-87542-868-1
INTERNET WEB SITES (where more book references may be found):
Encyclopedia.com
http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/07122.htmlYule, the Winter Solstice - Pagan/Wiccan Religion - Net Links
http://paganwiccan.about.com/msubyule.htmChristmas - is it Christian?
http://www.cornerstone1.org/b-christmas.htmCVC Christmas Page
http://www.cvc.org/christmas/#cultureUrban Legends - Santa Around the World
http://urbanlegends.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htmChristmas Traditions and Customs Around the World
http://www.soon.org.uk/country/christmas.htmA Positive Light - Web of Christmas
http://www.execpc.com/~shepler/christmas
© copyright Teri Robison 1999