| The spirit of Christmas is the same everywhere it's celebrated, but the many
different ways that people celebrate are part of what makes Christmas so much fun. Take a quick look at a few celebrations from all over the world.
Korea
Christianity is not the predominant religion in Korea, but some Koreans do celebrate Christmas. Early morning caroling is popular there.
Groups travel from house to house awakening their friends and neighbors. By the time the caroling ends, a beautiful Christmas Day is dawning.
Many churches also feature special Christmas music programs throughout the day.
Say Merry Christmas in Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Mexico
Las Posadas, a series of celebrations
lasting for nine nights, are an important part of Christmas in Mexico. In a posada, groups of adults and children dress as
figures from the Nativity story and make a procession symbolizing the journey of Joseph, Mary and Jesus as they sought shelter in
Bethlehem. When the procession reaches the house that has been chosen for that night, the pilgrims ask for shelter until they are
eventually admitted. Once the keepers of the house let them in, everyone celebrates with music, food and sometimes even fireworks.
Say Merry Christmas in Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Norway
Julenissen (the Christmas elf), with his stocking cap and long white beard, brings presents to Norwegian children on Christmas Eve. Families also
exchange gifts on Christmas Day. In the past, Norwegian children would dress up in costumes and go from house to house asking for treats, much as American children do for Halloween.
The leader of the group would be dressed as a bukk, or goat, and the custom was known as "going Julebukk (Christmas goat)." Children in rural areas of Norway still go Julebukk today.
Say Merry Christmas in Norwegian:Gledelig Jul
Poland
Polish families share a Christmas Eve supper
called the wigilia. The number of dishes served at the wigilia must always be odd --5, 7, 9-- and the number of guests must always be even.
An especially important part of the meal is the breaking of the oplatek, a thin, wafer-like bread with a nativity scene stamped on its surface.
Once the oplatek is broken, it is shared with everyone at the table.
Say Merry Christmas in Polish: Wesolych swiat
United States
Christmas is celebrated in the United States in many ways, each reflecting the rich heritage. Hawaiian children believe
that Santa comes in a boat. Alaskan children carry a large star as they go caroling, and some Pennsylvania Dutch children may believe
in Pelznickel, a gift-bringer similar to Santa Claus. In New Mexico, families display luminarias, paper lanterns, outside their
homes, and in Texas, Mexican-American children join posadas like the ones held in Mexico. These are just a few of the many ways that Christmas is celebrated around the United States.
continue....
|
