Article By:
Urban Dsouza,
M.A; B.Ed; Diploma in Journalism, Executive MBA
6. France:
Celebrations of Christmas in France start by children leaving their shoes by the hearth on December 5 so that Father Christmas or Pere Noel can fill them up with gifts. This is called St Nicolas Eve. On Christmas Eve, children go around singing carols in French that are called Noels. People fast during the day and then attend midnight mass. Cathedrals are decorated too to welcome people for Christmas prayers.
The most important part of Christmas celebrations in France is the crèche (crib) that is decorated to create a scene of nativity. Even though Christmas trees are part of Christmas decorations, the crèche is of utmost importance. Plays and puppet shows are held throughout December for kids as well as adults. On Christmas Day, people go to church and then eat a feast which ends with a special treat which is a butter cream-filled cake.
7. Germany:
A big part of the Christmas celebrations in Germany is Advent. Several different types of Advent calendars are used in German homes. As well as the traditional one made of card that are used in many countries, there are ones made out of a wreath of Fir tree branches with 24 decorated boxes or bags hanging from it. Each box or bag has a little present in it. Another type is called an 'Advent Kranz' and is a ring of fir branches that has four candles on it. This is like the Advent candles that are sometimes used in Churches. One candle is lit at the beginning of each week in Advent.
Christmas Eve is the main day when Germans exchange presents with their families. Germany is well known for its Christmas Markets where all sorts of Christmas foods and decorations are sold. Perhaps the most famous German decorations are glass ornaments. Christmas trees are very important in Germany.
8. India:
Christmas celebrations in India are also on a large scale. Even though the Christian population in India is in minority, the festive spirit is all over and even non-Christians take part in the festivities if not exactly in the traditional way. While not everyone would go to church for a midnight mass, they usually exchange gifts and enjoy a feast in a restaurant or by making some at home. There are certain places in India where Christmas celebrations are more than the others. These include metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, hill stations like Shimla, Manali and places where Christian population is higher like Goa, northeast India.
Of course, the traditions vary slightly and people have regional delicacies as well in the feast including locally made wine & plum cake. To get a real taste of Christmas in India, visit any of these places and enjoy a beautiful Christmas with the locals.
9. Israel:
Although the Christmas story took place in Israel, Christmas isn't widely celebrated in the country at all! Only about 2.5% of the population of Israel is Christians. Christmas isn't a public holiday in most of Israel!
For most people in Israel, Christmas is a 'normal working day’, unless the 25th December is at the weekend and in major cities, such as Jerusalem, you're fairly unlikely to see many signs of Christmas, except at 'tourist' areas or areas with churches in them.
There are Christmas services and activities in the Christian Churches such as the famous carol concerts and services. The largest Christian population in Israel is in Nazareth (the town where Jesus grew up). Nazareth has lots of Christmas lights on the streets and outdoor markets to celebrate both Christmas.
There is a Christmas Eve parade which ends at the Church of the Annunciation which represents the journey that Mary and Joseph took in the Christmas Story, when they travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Then there's a big firework display and the Midnight Mass Service.
10. Italy:
One of the most important ways of celebrating Christmas in Italy is the Nativity Crib Scene. Using a Nativity scene to help tell the Christmas story was made very popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 (Assisi is in mid-Italy). The previous year he had visited Bethlehem and saw where it was thought that Jesus was born. A lot of Italian families have a Nativity scene in their homes.
On Christmas Eve, it's common that no meat (and also sometimes no dairy) is eaten. Often a light seafood meal is eaten and then people go to the Midnight Mass service. The types of fish and how they are served vary between different regions in Italy. An old Italian custom is that children go out Carol singing and playing songs on shepherds pipes, wearing shepherds sandals and hats.
When people return from Mass, if it's cold, you might have a slice of Italian Christmas Cake called 'Panettone' which is like a dry fruity sponge cake and a cup of hot chocolate!