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Christmas
A Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as the son of God, Christmas is observed with different traditions all around the world. A common denominator in the celebration of Christmas is usually a large meal, a Christmas tree in some cultures, and the gathering of family and friends.
Italy
Christmas in Italy is known by the celebration of the meatless meal on Christmas Eve. Though the tradition varies on the number of dishes, the primary focus of the meal is the consumption of fish. This is of special importance because meat was considered an extravagance among many poorer residents of Southern Italy and therefore was reserved for Christmas Day.
Japan
The people of Japan have not celebrated Christmas for very long as less than one percent of their population is Christian. However, since the beginning of the 20th century, Christmas has been celebrated in many of the cities and highly populated areas of the country. Christmas in Japan is exhibited by lights and tinsel decorations, much like the western world, and Santa Kurohsu, who is said to have eyes in the back of his head to watch children, brings gifts.
Brazil
Because it is a former Portuguese colony, Brazil has retained many of the customs from that heritage. Papai Noel is the Brazilian version of Santa Claus who brings gifts to the children. However, Papai Noel wears silk clothes because it is so hot during Christmas in Brazil. A large dinner and the presence of nativity scenes are also common in a Brazilian Christmas.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is the Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a war to expel the foreign presence of the Syrians. It is celebrated by the lighting of a menorah for eight nights, which signifies the miracle of the oil which burned the eternal light in the Temple. Hanukkah is also celebrated with the eating of special foods, the giving of gifts, and the gathering of family and friends.
Chrismukkah
While "Chrismukkah" was actually started as a joke in the early 1990's, this merger between Christmas and Hanukkah has since become recognized as a way to share in rituals of both traditions. This is a three week celebration that includes aspects of both holidays and is especially practical in interfaith households. While Seinfield's "fesitvus" may not have taken off, this custom seems to be growing in acceptance.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. It is celebrated by adorning the house with African decor and the colors of Kwanzaa, which are black, red, and green. Gift giving and a feast are also customs of this holiday.
The holidays herald various kinds of tradition and celebration all over the world. The difference in cultures and beliefs around the world may be the reason why the holidays bring about a variety of festivity and practices to the people. Christmas Holidays is indeed one of the most celebrated seasons in the whole world and owes much to the people that observe it year after year. Who can resist a season filled with joy, laughter and gift giving, right? Here is an example of how two different nations celebrate the Christmas season.
United States:
United States have always been known as the biggest melting pot in the world where nations and traditions blend together into one harmonious culture. Caroling is a part of the celebration and is said to be an influence of England and Germany to the country. The belief in a red-suited Santa Claus hails from Scandinavia and his using the chimney to deliver the gifts to children is believed to come from the Netherlands. Some American children even leave cookies and warm milk for the jolly Santa Claus. Hanging stockings filled with treats such as small gifts and candies and the famous Christmas tree with lavish presents under it is a must in every American household. Gift giving and holiday cards also hold a special place in every American's heart and accounts for extravagant end-of-year sales and holiday season discounts from shopping stores and malls nationwide. Traditional feasting during Christmas Eve is the same all over the world though, but Americans love serving the traditional Turkey Dinner with mashed potatoes and meat pie to commemorate this festive holiday.
Spain has perhaps one of the most uncommon traditions during the Christmas Holidays. This practice is called “Hogueras” or bonfires and is observed to commemorate the winter solstice as the shortest day of the year and as the beginning of winter. It involves a person jumping over fires that is believed to ward off evil and protect him from illness. This tradition started long before the celebration of Christmas, however. Spain also boasts of elaborately designed nativity scenes, Christmas trees and various Christmas shops filled with heaps of fruits, flowers, candles, Christmas decorations and some hand-made Christmas gifts. During the eve of Christmas day at exactly midnight, church bells would clang and call families to partake in the “La Misa Del Gallo” or Mass of the Rooster which includes lavish choirs performing during the Mass itself. Christmas dinner also consists of the traditional Turkey and is eaten after midnight. After the traditional meal, the family members would gather round the Christmas tree and sing hymns and carols of Christendom. Surprisingly, the Three Wise Men of the Nativity distributes the Christmas gifts instead of the much-publicized Santa Claus.
All in all, different cultures present different ways of viewing and observing the Christmas season. But let us not forget that love is the central reason why we are celebrating the holiday seasons. Love for mankind is the one tradition that nations from all over the world, however different they are from each other, celebrate Christmas in the midst of their homes.