It doesn’t matter if you’re ready or not, Christmas is here!! Steeped in various traditions, December 24th and 25th, families and friends the world over will gather to observe one of the most celebrated holidays of all time — Christmas.
My New Zealand pen pal of 60+ years will celebrate Christmas in the sun, maybe even on the beach! Jill writes: "Rodger and I have been working steadily through our lists of chores and have almost come to the end of them now, thank goodness. Well, maybe not come to the end exactly, more of a case of running out of time…I'm going to decorate the table in red and white and wanted some covers to go on the chair backs, so I bought some really cheap white pillow slips and I think they'll do the job for me, once I've tied them at the back with a silver bow. I still want to dip some raspberries in melted white chocolate, which look sensational in the recipe book. I've made some green and white coconut ice (mmm, delicious), and have chocolates and other treats here just in case we run out of food on Christmas Day - as if!!!"
For my high school friend now living ‘down under’ Christmas starts with gifts under the tree, to be opened Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at her in-laws place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings is eaten, then comes tea time, a Bar-B-Q for friends and family to get together.
Finnish people believe that Father Christmas (Santa Claus) lives in the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. (It is only fair to say that the people of Greenland say that really, Father Christmas lives in Greenland!) There is even a big tourist theme park called 'Christmas Land' in the north of Finland, near to where they say that Father Christmas lives. Children receive their presents on Christmas Eve, usually with a family member dressing as Father Christmas.
Germans love to decorate their houses at Christmas. (This is where the idea of a Christmas tree came from.) Many houses will have little wooden frames holding electric candles in their windows, and colored pictures of paper or plastic which look beautiful from the outside at night. Often too, they will have an 'Adventskranz' - a wreath of leaves with four candles. (Advent - meaning 'coming' - is the 4 week period before Christmas). On each Sunday of Advent, another candle is lit. Most homes will also have little wooden 'cribs' - a small model of the stable where Jesus was born, with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and animals. (Our nativity scenes).
Father Christmas - 'Der Weihnachtsmann' - brings presents in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve (December 24th), after people have been to a church meeting. The presents are then found under the Christmas tree. One person in the family will ring a bell and call everyone to come to the room. On Christmas Day, fish (carp) or goose will be cooked.
The USA is so multi-cultural that you will find many different ways of celebrating Christmas. A friend writes about Christmas meals, "Our family (Eastern European origin) favors turkey with trimmings”.
My polish friend’s prefer kielbasa cabbage dishes, and soups and wonderful desserts that include lots of polish delicacies. One year my husband's side of the family, just for the fun of it, decided to have an Italian Christmas – we feasted on lasagna!
It doesn’t matter which country your tradition is steeped in; all year long children are told to behave, or they will get coal in their stocking. On Christmas Eve, they hang highly stylized stockings on the mantle of the fireplace, (or in our case hung over the chair backs) then go to bed early so that they will find presents in the morning. For centuries children have believed that at midnight Santa will come, bringing a huge bag of toys. He will come down through the chimney, leave candy in the stockings and presents under the Christmas tree, then plug one nostril and shoot up through the chimney. Cookies are traditionally left for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph. I knew long before my mother told me, that my father ate those cookies!
Tradition for our family starts with church on Christmas Eve – that’s a must – no exceptions. Our kids come home for Christmas; Heidi & Dave, Matt, Amanda and Little J (and two dogs) spend the night on Christmas Eve. J is still too small to bound down the hall yelling, “It’s Christmas. It’s Christmas!” – that’s his father’s job! On Christmas morning, the boys cook a big breakfast; eggs, bacon, hash browns, home made bread. Amanda always makes French toast casserole—hum-m, good. The smells of cinnamon rolls or coffee cake baking also permeate the house. Then it’s time for PRESENTS – lots and lots of presents as Heidi and Dave, Matt and Amanda are the most excellent of Santa helpers. By 2:00 we’re ready to receive guests, friends and family who might drop by to enjoy a buffet of munchies – anything from meatballs to cheese balls! And one of Heidi's famous baked-from-scratch cakes! It’s a celebration for sure! And the day after Christmas always includes shopping for ‘after’ sales! A head start for next year.
Advent is celebrated in almost all Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant churches; some also celebrate epiphany and for many Boxing Day is a holiday tradition. I was raised Presbyterian so the traditions of Advent were part of Christmas. We always followed the four weeks of preparation before Christmas in our church services. I found the same to be true in my cousin’s Lutheran Church, and in my friend's United Methodist Church. We also recognize Epiphany in mainline Protestant churches. On the first Sunday following January 6, our service tells again the story of the Magi who came to Jesus presenting their gifts following his birth.
Whatever your traditions, however your family chooses to celebrate Christmas, remember the reason for the season – Jesus. He came to save a dying world. He came as light unto the world. He was born a Savior, died for our sins and rose again and He did this for all of us that we might be with Him through eternity -- What a gift!
Have a Merry Christmas and a 'blessed' New Year. See you next year!
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