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The festival of Christmas around
the world is celebrated with a great
degree of zeal and passion. Primarily
a Christian festival to commemorate
the birth of Jesus Christ Christmas
on account of its global popularity
has assumed the dimensions of a universal
celebration in recent years. In most
parts of Europe and the US, it is
celebrated more as a vacation. Such
a wide appeal this festival has, that
Christmas around the world has become
a time to reaffirm one’s belief
and faith in the virtues of compassion,
humanity and brotherhood. The customs
and traditions associated with revelry
do differ from one country to another
but the festive mood of Christmas
around the world remains the same.
As for instance in Belgium, Santa
Claus is called de Kesterman and is
known to come up to help the kids
and those who are poor and needy.
A very interesting aspect of Christmas
celebrations in Belgium is the fact
that family gifts are also offered
on the Christmas Eve. In Brazil however,
the Christmas father is called Papai
Novel. For all those who belong to
the upper stratum of the society,
usually dine with chicken, turkey,
ham and beer. However, the mediocre
families feast on normal diet.
In France, Christmas celebrations
are referred to as the Noel. During
this festival, all French people are
known to have a Christmas tree mostly
decorated in the Gothic manner with
ribbons and white candles. The Fir
trees that are mostly seen in French
household gardens are decorated with
dazzling lights that remain alight
all through the night. German people
are also of the opinion that you need
to decorate your house during this
festive occasion. During this time
of the year, German houses are decorated
with wooden frames upon which electric
candles are fixed. Crib, a small stable
where Jesus was believed to be born
is also developed in some of the German
houses.
In Hungary, the celebration seems
to be a bit different from most other
European countries. Just before the
25th of December, small children are
known to visit their relatives. During
this time of the year, it is a must
to hang edible items in the trees.
Special dishes are cooked in the Hungarian
households to mark this festive occasion,
the most delicious example of which
is the Hungarian home made pastry.
However on the 25th f December, the
entire family needs to visit the nearby
Church and eat stuffed cabbage during
lunchtime.
In New Zealand, the festive occasion
of Christmas is believed to begin
with exchange of gifts under the tree.
It is followed by a typical Kiwi Christmas
lunch at home or any other dining
outlet. Later in the day comes the
special Bar-B-Q for friends and families
with a few bottles of Beer or a few
glasses of wine. Even among the Asian
countries, there is a good degree
of diversity in the way Christmas
is celebrated. However, irrespective
of the mode of celebration, Christmas
around the world does have a huge
significance in promoting the values
of universal brotherhood and tolerance.
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