By Isabella Diaz
Christmas, the most beloved holiday across the world, is celebrated differently across nations. While many think of Christmas with decorated trees, presents, and Santa Claus, there is more to discover about them as different cultures embrace this season in a much deeper sense. These individual traditions broaden the horizons of understanding about Christmas and reveal how diverse people reach to find a similar meaning of this holiday.
Christmas in Mexico is a very religious and social holiday. One important Christmas tradition is the massive celebration taking place from December 16 to December 24. This is called Las Posadas, and these nine nights symbolize marching from door to door and re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. It ends with the families gathering for fiesta celebrations and breaking piñatas filled with candy. The tradition includes Nacimientos: colorful nativity scenes.
If you thought Christmas could only be celebrated in December, think again! It actually starts in the Philippines as early as September! The “Ber months” are brimming with bright parades and lively star shaped lanterns called paróls, even a midnight feast called Noche Buena. The Catholic country celebrates Simbang Gabi, or dawn masses, in the days leading to Christmas day. Putting everything together creates a sense of unique blending of spirituality and merriness this time of the year.
Christmas begins in Sweden, as it does in most northern countries, with the celebration of St. Lucia Day on December 13th. This day pays special respect to a martyr of the Christian church, known to be very generous and who made many sacrifices in life. Young girls wearing white gowns with red sashes, crowned with candles on their heads, and singing old traditional songs, bring light into the dark Swedish winters. In Sweden, the feast of Julbord includes such foods as cured salmon, meatballs, and saffron buns.
Whereas the popular association with Christmas involves snow and warm fires, Australians are in the middle of their summer. Instead of sleigh rides, they head to the beach for barbecues and swimming. A traditional activity includes Carols by Candlelight, where communities come together outdoors to sing holiday songs by candlelight. Australians also decorate with native plants like Christmas bush and eat a festive meal that often includes seafood and pavlova—a meringue based dessert.
In Ethiopia, the Christmas holiday is known as Genna. The celebration is on January 7th, per the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar. The emphasis is strictly on religious observance with church services and processions to commemorate the birth of Jesus. People wear traditional white garments called shammas and participate in solemn yet joyful ceremonies. Unlike the West, where the giving of gifts is almost synonymous with Christmas, Ethiopian Christmas emphasizes prayer, community, and feasting, with traditional foods like doro wat and injera.
In conclusion, the tradition of celebrating Christmas differs in different cultures. This should instill in us an appreciation for the diversity around us. From breaking a piñata in Mexico, to attending a Saint Lucia procession in Sweden, or having a barbecue on a beach in Australia, each custom carries a message pertaining to the values and the history of the people who celebrate. As we celebrate Christmas this year, maybe we can try and incorporate some of these global customs into our own festivities.
beniciapaw.com 