Day 17: Christmas Around the World
French Santa
Great Britian
At midnight on Christmas Eve, bells ring out all over Great Britian in a joyous chorus to announce the birth of Jesus. In Wales, communal singing and caroling is an especially important part of the holiday, while in Scotland, the most elaborate celebrations are saved for New Year's, or Hogmanay.France
Santa Claus doesn't put presents under a Christmas tree in France. He puts them into children's shoes! Manger scenes called creches are popular. The lighting of the Yule log -- a huge log that burns all day on Christmas -- is followed by a traditional treat called a buche de Noel, which is a chocolate cake made to look like a log!Poland
Polish families celebrate the Christmas holiday with a twelve-course meal. An extra place is always open at the table, in case an unexpected guest should arrive. In many homes, sheaves of wheat or straw are placed in the four corners of a room in memory of Christ's birthplace in a stable.
Carolers in Great Britian
German Santa
Sweden
In the dark of the Swedish winter, Christmas is celebrated with lights. The Christmas celebrations start with St. Lucia's Day on December 13. A young girl wearing white and a crown of candles awakens sleeping families at dawn to share a breakfast of wheat cakes and coffee. Swedish families also reenact the journey of the Wisemen to Bethlehem. Christmas feasts include roast pig and plenty of Christmas cake.Germany and Austria
Most of our American Christmas traditions have thier roots in Austro-German traditions. The Christmas tree originated in the Black Forest of Germany. Some traditional Christmas treats, such as marzipan, also came from this area. Advent calendars and Advent wreaths with candles mark off the time left until the holiday. Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas as he is called in Germany, brings gifts for good children.Middle East
In the Middle East, Christian and Muslim traditions mix; but in the town of Bethlehem, donkeys still carry packs for people, and women wear robes like those Mary might have worn so long ago. In the surrounding fields, shepherds still watch their flocks by night -- as their ancestors on the first Christmas might have done.
St. Lucia Celebration in Sweden
Italy
In Italy, a woman, the Lady Befana, distributes gifts to children on Epiphany, twelve days after Christmas. She even comes down the chimney like Santa Claus. During Advent, brightly clothed pifferai, or pipers, march through the towns playing sweet music before shrines and manger scenes. They also play before carpenter shops in honor of Joseph's profession.Spain
In Spain, Christmas celebrations begin December 8 with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Traditional manger scenes, called Nacimientos, are put up in churches and homes, and families gather around them to sing carols. Food and clothing are given to the poor to bring luck for the year ahead. On January 6, children receive presents. Instead of being brought by Santa Claus, however, Spanish gifts come from the three Magi who are on their way to Bethlehem.
Lady Befana in Italy
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