Christmas, a holiday commemorating the Birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike across the globe. While the core message of Christmas remains constant, its interpretation and customs vary significantly from country to country, reflecting the unique cultural, historical, and social contexts of each nation.
In this article, we’ll embark on a festive journey to explore how Christmas, the birth of the saviour is perceived and celebrated in different parts of the world.
The Birth Of The Saviour Of The Christians Around The Globe
1. Germany: A Season of Frost and Festivity
In Germany, Christmas is a time for snow-covered landscapes, twinkling lights, and traditions that date back centuries. The festive season begins on December 6th with St. Nicholas’ Eve, where children leave their shoes by the door for the mythical figure to fill with treats and small gifts. Christmas Markets, featuring glühwein, lebkuchen, and handmade crafts, are a staple of German festive culture. The family-focused holiday centers around the Christmas tree, decorated with candles, ornaments, and a star on top.
2. Mexico: Posadas and Piñatas
In Mexico, the birth of Jesus is a vibrant celebration that blends indigenous and European influences. The nine-day Posadas, beginning on December 16th, reenact the journey of Mary and Joseph as they sought shelter in Bethlehem. Children participate by carrying candles and reciting prayers, while families exchange gifts and enjoy traditional foods like tamales and hot chocolate. After Christmas Day, the piñata is broken, releasing candies and toys for the children to collect.
3. India: A Christian Minority’s Silent Night
In India, where Christianity is practiced by a small minority, Christmas is a relatively low-key affair. However, the holiday is significant in regions like Kerala, where Christians account for around 20% of the population. Midnight Mass is a popular custom, followed by a feast featuring traditional Kerala dishes like duck curry and appam (rice pancakes).
4. Japan: A Western Holiday with a Local Flavor
Japan’s Christmas celebration has evolved significantly since its introduction by Christian missionaries in the 16th century. The holiday is often associated with romantic getaways, gift-giving, and – in recent years – the tradition of “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii!” (Christmas is Crazy!).
Japanese CHRISTMAS cake, featuring strawberries and whipped cream, has become a popular dessert. The unique fusion of Western and local traditions has led to the development of fascinating customs, such as sending Christmas mailboxes to loved ones, to celebrate this birth of the Christian’s saviour.
5. Ethiopia: Timkat and Ganna
In Ethiopia, a predominantly Orthodox Christian country, Christmas is celebrated as Ganna on January 7th, commemorating the birth and baptism of Jesus Christ. The holiday is marked by a lively game of Ganna, an Ethiopian variant of hockey, played on horseback or by cyclical men indoors. The day concludes with a traditional coffee ceremony and the blessing of the day’s final horseback game. In Addis Ababa, the historic city of Lalibela is illuminated with candles, reflecting the sacred significance of the holiday.
6. Sweden: A Winter’s Night of Song and Storytelling
In Sweden, Christmas is a peaceful, candlelit affair, where families gather around the TV to watch the annual broadcast of “Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Traditional treats like pepparkakor (gingerbread cookies) and mulled wine (glögg) are enjoyed while sharing stories and singing carols about the birth of Jesus.
7. Brazil: Noel and Noche de los Niños
In Brazil, Christmas is known as Natal, with the Catholic Church playing a significant role in its celebration. The Noche de los Niños, dating back to the 19th century, is a unique custom where children leave their shoes by the door, hoping to receive gifts and sweets. Midnight Mass is often followed by a festive dinner, featuring traditional dishes like turkey, ham, and panettone.
8. Russia: A New Year’s Eve Celebration with a Christmas Twist
In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, following the Orthodox calendar. The holiday is often overshadowed by the more widely celebrated New Year’s Eve, which features fireworks, champagne, and an evening of harmonious family togetherness. Christmas Eve is a time for traditional dishes like borscht, pierogies, and blini, accompanied by a festive atmosphere and exchanges of gifts, while some enjoy Carol’s to mention the significance of the birth.
9. In New Zealand, similar to its neighboring country Australia, Christmas occurs during the summer break.
Many individuals enjoy spending their Christmas time at the beach, camping, or in their Baches (holiday homes).
Numerous towns host a Santa parade featuring adorned floats (created by local businesses and churches, among others), marching bands, and teams. This can occur anytime from mid-November onward and is primarily a business event, yet everyone finds them enjoyable. Since it’s warm, Santa is occasionally spotted in ‘jandals’ (New Zealand sandals) and he might even change his red shirt for a New Zealand ‘All Blacks’ rugby jersey!
Kids in New Zealand set out carrots for Santa’s reindeer, and Santa may also find a beer and some pineapple pieces along with milk and cookies!
In major cities such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Hamilton, there are large Christmas light exhibitions and displays. Large carol services take place all across the country, including in small towns, villages, and rural regions.
New Zealand possesses unique carols that are its own. These consist of ‘Te Harinui’, Christmas celebrated in New Zealand, and A Kiwiana Christmas! These are performed at the majority of carol services- songs about the birth, throughout the nation.
10. Italy: A Festive Feast and Midnight Mass
In Italy, Christmas is a time for family gatherings, rich foods, and a strong sense of community. Midnight Mass is the highlight of the holiday, followed by a festive feast featuring traditional dishes like panettone, pandoro, and roasted meats. The country’s famous Pizzaland, depicting Jesus’ birth in a cascading pyre, has become an integral part of Italian Christmas culture.
In the capital city of every State, a substantial Carols by Candlelight event takes place. Renowned Australian artists such as The Wiggles, John Farnham, Anthony Warlow, Colin Gery, Niki Webster, and several others contribute to the carol singing about the life and birth of Jesus. These carol services, conducted in various cities, are aired on television throughout Australia. Each state capital city hosts large Christmas pageants that are broadcast nationwide. Many towns and cities host festivals and parades.
In certain locations, there is a fireworks show in the community park.
Numerous towns, cities, and schools organize their own Carols by Candlelight events, with local bands and choirs occasionally assisting in performing the Christmas Carols and melodies that resonate the birth story.
Since Christmas occurs during the peak of Summer in Australia, the lyrics of the Carols mentioning snow and cold winter are occasionally altered to incorporate unique Australian terms! Some unique Australian Carols also exist.
When he arrives in Australia, Santa occasionally allows the reindeer to rest and may use kangaroos, though many claim he still relies on reindeer! He also switches to less ‘hot’ clothing! Kids frequently set out carrots for Santa’s reindeer. They could set out milk and cookies, or alternatively, there could be cake for Santa, along with some cold beer, though it should be non-alcoholic since Santa needs to drive his sleigh!
12. In Bolivia, the celebration of Christmas spans from Christmas Eve to Epiphany (January 6th).
The majority of Bolivia’s population is Catholic, and many individuals attend a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with Carol’s of his birth. known as the ‘Misa de Gallo’ (Rooster Mass). At midnight, individuals enjoy setting off firecrackers!
Families frequently have their primary Christmas dinner following the Misa de Gallo. The customary dish is ‘picana’, a stew/soup composed of chicken, beef (or lamb) and pork that is accompanied by potatoes and corn. There could also be salads, roasted pork (lechón) or roast beef, along with plenty of tropical fruit.
Following the meal, families may give gifts to each other, though gift-giving is not very frequent.
Certain individuals give gifts on Epiphany, in honor of the Magi who presented gifts to Jesus at his birth. Kids may also receive a new outfit for New Year’s.
Nativity Scenes (‘pesebre’ which translates to ‘stable’ or ‘nacimientos’ meaning ‘nativity scenes’) are very frequent Christmas adornments in Bolivia. Places of worship frequently feature expansive displays in front of them. El niño Jesús se coloca en el pesebre tras la Misa de Gallo.
Christmas Trees are gaining popularity, primarily in larger towns and cities.
For numerous impoverished individuals, especially in rural regions, Christmas is not extensively celebrated and simply marks an ordinary day of work.
In Bolivia, employees receive double or triple their usual pay in December! This is known as ‘El Aguinaldo,’ a government regulation that employers are required to pay. Numerous workplaces also provide a ‘Canastón de fin de Año’ or ‘End of the year basket’ for their employees. It’s a big basket or container filled with various items such as grocery products, a bottle of cidra (non-alcoholic sparkling cider), and a panetón (sweet fruit cake).
13. In Croatia, the Christmas preparations begin on November 25th, which is St. Catherine’s Day. Individuals also observe Advent. More than 85% of the population in Croatia identifies as Catholic, making Advent a significant period to commiserate with God on the birth of His son.
It is customary to create an Advent wreath from straw or evergreen branches that features four candles. The wreath represents eternity, while the four candles signify various aspects of history and existence:
First Candle (purple): inception – optimism;
Second Candle (purple): representation – tranquility;
Third Candle (pink): salvation – happiness;
Fourth Candle (purple): conclusion – affection;
A fifth candle is occasionally included in the center, which is lit on Christmas Day! Wreaths can be purchased, but a lot of individuals prefer to create them. Individuals frequently possess a paper Advent Calendar.
In addition to St Catherine’s day, various saints’ days are observed during Advent in Croatia. On the 4th of December, it’s St Barbara’s Day; on the 6th of December, it’s St Nicholas’s Day, and on the 13th of December, it’s St Lucia’s/Lucy’s Day.
On the evening of St Nicholas (5th), kids tidy their shoes or boots and place them by the window. They wish for St. Nicholas to leave them chocolates and little gifts in their boot. If kids have misbehaved, Krampus (a large horned creature who occasionally accompanies St. Nicholas!) leaves them golden branches to serve as a reminder to act properly.
On St Lucia’s Day, individuals frequently plant wheat onto small dishes. The green shoots known as Christmas wheat are placed beneath the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve.
14. Christmas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is primarily a religious celebration instead of a commercial event.
The majority of individuals will not receive any gifts.
Christmas Eve holds great significance, featuring large musical evenings in churches (numerous churches host at least 5 or 6 choirs) along with a nativity performance. These performances continue for a considerable duration. They begin in the early evening with the creation and the Garden of Eden, concluding with the tale of King Herod slaying the infant boys after Jesus’s birth.
Participants in the play genuinely enjoy displaying their ‘finest’ acting talents and often exaggerate, putting on a show! King Herod killing babies at the birth of Jesus and the soldiers frequently serve as comedic characters (similar to pantomime ‘villains’), and Mary is often quite far along in her labor by the time she gets there!
The birth of Jesus is scheduled to occur as near to midnight as possible, followed by the arrival of the shepherds, the wise men, and the massacre of the innocents. This indicates that the performance typically concludes around 1am. Nonetheless, in certain areas, there will be additional singing until sunrise! The Christmas day service begins at 9am and includes plenty more singing.
On Christmas day, many families aim to enjoy a more special meal than they typically do. If they have the means, they will get some meat (usually chicken or pork). The remainder of the day is spent fairly peacefully, possibly dozing off after a hectic and late night on Christmas Eve!
Workers return to their jobs on the 26th (Boxing Day).
15.Numerous Christmas customs and traditions in Eritrea resemble those found in Ethiopia.
This encompasses individuals in the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church participating in a unique fast during Advent, prior to Christmas. The fast begins on November 25th and consists solely of a vegan diet.
A day or two prior to Christmas, individuals begin getting ready for their grand Christmas feast. Typically, the animal intended for the meal is bought froma nearby street market. These consist of sheep, goats, cattle, or chickens. Before buying an animal, people often inspect it to ensure it will provide sufficient meat! Prices are typically negotiated, and reaching an agreement can take a significant amount of time. The market is alive with crowds engaging in conversation and making last-minute grocery purchases for the holiday.
On the night before Christmas, the animal is slaughtered. Individuals willalso perform additional lastminute arrangements for the meal. These consist of brewing Swa (a locally made beer)baking Injera (a fermented flatbread crafted from Taff flour), and preparing Zigni (a spicy meat stew, commonly made with beef). Every member of the family will assist at some time.
A lot of individuals will attend a Church service on Christmas. These can begin on the evening of Christmas Eve or in the early hours of Christmas Day.
In Eritrea, similar to its neighboring country Ethiopia, Christmas is observed onJanuary 7th insteadof December 25th. This is due to the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church utilizing the Geez Calendar, which is somewhat akin to the Julian Calendar used by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
16. The Falkland Islands
They are located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 300 miles from the eastern shoreline at the southern tip of South America. They are a British Overseas Territory, despite being roughly 8,000 miles distant from the rest of the UK!
As they are located in the southern hemisphere, Christmas falls during summer with extended sunny days. The Islands have numerous Christmas customs in common with the UK. There are hardly any trees on the islands (due to the strong winds!), yet people usually have Christmas Trees, which are typically artificial. Lamb is the primary dish for Christmas since there are many sheep on the Islands! Flying from South America or the UK to Turkey is quite costly!
On Christmas Eve, individuals come together to sing carols, about the birth story beneath the ‘whale bone arch’ (crafted from the jaw bones of two blue whales) adjacent to the Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley. There is also a service on Christmas morning. The Cathedral is the world’s southernmost Anglican cathedral.
A British military facility exists on the Falkland Islands, housing roughly 2000 military and civilian staff. The chaplain on the base conducts services at the base and throughout the Islands during Christmas.
The horse races on Boxing Day are significant and take place just outside Stanley at the racecourse. It’s a highly favored event among residents of the Islands, particularly in Stanley. The meeting has taken place over 100 times. There was a time when many individuals would meet only once a year! Horses were once the primary means of transportation across the Islands. Even with the increased number of roads and vehicles today, participation in the races remains highly competitive. Several individuals have participated in races for many years!
17. Guatemala is an extremely diverse nation that is home to over 20 ethnic communities. Everyone has unique customs for observing Christmas.
On December 7th at 6pm, a unique tradition known as ‘La Quema del Diablo’ (The Burning of the Devil) occurs, featuring the incineration of a devil/Satan effigy (model). The 8th of December marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a sacred day for Catholics, and setting the devil on fire beforehand is intended to clear ‘bad things’ out of the path in preparation for the upcoming year!
The custom originated during the time when Guatemala was a Spanish colony, and individuals would place lanterns at the entrance of their homes. However, some individuals opted for bonfires instead, and the tradition gradually evolved into burning the devil!
On Christmas Eve, families gather to celebrate and enjoy the main holiday feast. It consists of multiple traditional meals, yet it always features some Guatemalan tamales. In certain areas, they are created from corn, while in others they consist of rice or potatoes. They may be sweet or savory, and contain various ingredients such as olives, prunes, peppers, chicken, or pork.
Everyone anticipates midnight to ignite hundreds of fireworks or firecrackers in honor of the birth of Jesus. A family prayer is offered by the tree, and it is tradition to unwrap the gifts shortly after midnight.
18. In Hong Kong, Chinese Christians observe Christmas by attending Church services in Chinese. At the Anglican Cathedral, certain services are conducted in English, as both Europeans living and working in Hong Kong and locals from Hong Kong participate. The services in Chinese and English occur at various times throughout the day. Christians in Hong Kong enjoy singing carols of the birth story and visiting the Christmas markets as well.
In Hong Kong, individuals also exchange Christmas cards. They are typically purchased in stores, though some individuals still enjoy creating them with traditional Chinese crafting methods.
Poinsettias, tinsel, Christmas lights, and Nativity displays adorn homes, churches, and public areas.
In Hong Kong, there is a street that exclusively sells Christmas Trees and various plants leading up to Christmas. Christmas trees are particularly favored by Christians in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, Santa is usually referred to as Santa Claus or Father Christmas. In Cantonese, he is called “Sing Daan Lou Yan” (Christmas Old Man), but most individuals refer to him in English.
Annually, Hong Kong hosts a ‘Winterfest’. It’s a large winter celebration that includes the stores, theme parks, and other attractions in Hong Kong.
19. Christmas in Kazakhstan typically features snow, as the winter season brings snowfall for about four months each year.
Approximately 70% of the population in Kazakhstan practices Islam, making Christmas not a major celebration. The majority of Christians in Kazakhstan are part of Orthodox churches, which is why they observe Christmas on January 7th instead of December 25th.
For Orthodox Christians, Advent extends for 40 days, and some individuals refrain from eating meat during this period. Advent concludes when the first star appears in the night sky on January 6th; this signifies the birth of Jesus, allowing the main Christmas feast to commence. Following the meal, numerous Orthodox Christians will attend a church service at midnight.
Certain non-Orthodox Christians may observe this birth celebration on December 25th or occasionally on the Sunday prior. They have translated several English songs into Kazakh and Russian, and there are a handful of traditional songs created in Kazakhstan. However, they typically perform their regular worship songs in Church on the day they observe Christmas.
In Kazakhstan, the primary winter celebration is New Year. Therefore, although there are no Christmas trees, Father Christmas/Santa, or gifts for well-behaved children… there IS a New Year tree, and there IS a Snow Father/Father Frost/Grandfather Frost, known as ‘Ayaz Ata’ (Аяз Ата) in Kazakh. He frequently journeys with ‘Kar Kız’ (translating to ‘Snow Girl’ or ‘Snow Maiden’), his granddaughter. Ayaz Ata and Kar Kız deliver gifts to kids during the New Year.
Many fireworks and various festivities mark the arrival of the New Year.
20. Latvia
Kids in Latvia think that Santa Claus (referred to as Ziemassvētku vecītis – Christmas old man) delivers their gifts. Presents are often placed beneath the Christmas tree. The gifts are unwrapped during the evening of Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. If you’re fortunate, you could even catch a glimpse of Santa!
Frequently, the gifts are quietly placed beneath the tree when no one is there (like when individuals are at Church). Occasionally, to receive a gift, you need to recite a brief poem while beside the Christmas Tree! Prior to Christmas, children memorize poems. You may also receive a gift by singing, playing an instrument, or performing a dance.
Latvia also asserts that it is the birthplace of the first Christmas Tree! The initial recorded instance of an evergreen tree during Christmas and New Year festivities occurred in the town square of Riga, the capital of Latvia, in 1510. Many individuals believe that the Christmas Tree originated in Germany, but the earliest documented one is found in Latvia.
As we conclude our global journey through Christmas customs, it becomes clear that this single holiday has evolved into a multitude of unique celebrations, each reflecting the country’s distinct cultural identity and perception. Whether it’s Germany’s festive markets, Mexico’s vibrant Posadas, or India’s quiet reflection, Christmas has become a symbol of hope, love, and unity across the world, signifying that Jesus’s birth and death, both redeemed humanity back to God.
So, as you join your loved ones for a festive holiday season, remember that Christmas magic is alive and well, transcending borders and traditions to bring people together in the spirit of joy and celebration.
