Around the world, people celebrate Christmas with specific traditions. Although so many countries are celebrating the same holiday, each has a different interpretation of what Christmas means. For example, in Japan, Christmas is not celebrated religiously, but more celebrated to help spread happiness to everyone (Link). However, Christmas is a relatively new concept for Japan so some traditions from the United States have been implemented there.
In the United States and many European and South American countries, Christmas is celebrated with religious traditions. Many people attend church on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, and some churches hold candle lighting ceremonies and special midnight masses for the night that brings in Christmas.
Christmas Eve traditions definitely differ from Christmas Day, and while there are religions traditions that span individual countries, there are also family traditions that vary from one group to the next. For example, in Canada, many families in French-Canada hold a huge feast on Christmas Eve that lasts until the early hours of Christmas morning. Some foods that are included in their traditional meal are meat that has been prepped months in advance, Nova Scotia-Lobster, or scallops (Link).
In Russia, it is traditional for members of a family to fast until the stars come out on Christmas Eve. Later on, some might make a traditional dish called Kutya. This dish consists of grains, honey, and poppy seeds shared in one bowl to represent unity.
Some families have a priest come into the house to spray holy water on each room and pray that each person has a blessed and safe year (Link).
In Guatemala, after midnight when it is officially Christmas, many families light fireworks and sparklers to celebrate the birth of Jesus. This is also when they open presents. A traditional prayer is normally said on Christmas morning. Later on, a traditional dish of Guatemalan tamales is eaten with family (Link).
In the Philippines, many people have big parties, also known as Noche Buena. This includes an open house, traditional foods, and presents with family. Many Filipino traditions include a mixture of their own and western customs. Singing Christmas carols, writing Christmas cards, and putting up Christmas trees have all come from the American culture but have woven their way into Filipino traditions. (Link).
Cultures and families celebrate Christmas in different ways. That’s what makes this season so beautiful. Everyone gets to enjoy the season of giving and happiness in his or her own way while doing it with the ones they love.