Christmas Around the World
As the weather turns chilly, lights start coming up, and carols reign supreme at the stores, it is evident that the Christmas is near. Christmas is my favorite time of the year: I love the atmosphere, the excitement, and of course, the traditions. From putting up the tree to baking cookies and buying gifts, every culture has a different way in which they celebrate, and today, I want to explore what Christmas looks like in other countries.
Mexico:
A posada
In Mexico, Christmas is a very important religious holiday celebrated from December 12 to January 6. From mid-December, processions called posadas are formed. These celebrate the story of Mary and Joseph traveling to find a place to stay, and it involves children going from door to door singing a song, looking for somewhere to rest but being turned away. At the last house, the children are finally let in, and there is a party.
Christmas Eve is called Noche Buena, and it is a day to spend with family. In addition to a big Christmas meal, everyone attends midnight mass (Misa de Gallo) and the final posada where figures of baby Jesus are put into a manger. Then, there are even more fireworks!
Many houses have a nacimiento, or nativity scene. Here, clay figurines such as the Shepherds or Three Kings are displayed. The Baby Jesus is added during Christmas Eve, and the Three Kings are added during Epiphany.
Three Kings Cake (yum!)
A traditional Christmas food is the Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Cake), which is eaten on Epiphany. Inside the cake, there is a figure of baby Jesus, and whoever finds the figure in their cake is the godparent of Jesus for that year.
Russia:
In Russia, Christmas is normally observed on January 7, as the Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar to mark religious holidays.
Sochivo
On Christmas Eve, people may choose to fast until the first star shows up in the sky, and then eat sochivo, a wheat or rice porridge with honey, poppy seeds, berries and nuts. A Christmas Eve meal often has 12 dishes to represent the 12 disciples of Jesus, and popular foods include borsch (beetroot soup), vegetable pies and salads After the meal, prayers are said and then everyone attends midnight Church services- often staying out until 4 or 5 a.m.!
Vzvar
Christmas Day means a huge feast, with items such as pork or goose, pelmeni (meat dumplings) and gingerbread or fruit for dessert. A traditional drink, vzvar (dried fruit and honey in water), is also served with the meal. This drink is typically given when a child is born, and is served at Christmastime for the birth of Jesus.
…
Christmas is a very special time of the year. It’s a time where everyone comes together to celebrate, regardless of race or religion. Although our traditions are different, ultimately, the feelings of goodwill and happiness are universal. So no matter where you live, I wish you all Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Счастливого рождества, or Happy Holidays!
For more information about Christmas around the world, check out http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/
