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Christmas, celebrated to mark the
birth of Jesus Christ is no longer
known as a Christian festival, but
a universal one. With the onset of
December and beginning of winter in
most parts of the world, people start
their Christmas preparations in the
right earnest. Collecting gifts, decorating
houses and shopping are some of the
most common activities that keep people
busy during December. And when the
Christmas day comes on 25th December,
fun and merry-making reaches its feverish
pitch with the whole world getting
into the mould of Christmas celebrations.
The word Christmas has its genesis in the phrase "cristes
maesse" meaning "Christ's Mass" and that is why the Christians
all over the world celebrate this day as the birth of Jesus
Christ. Usually, Christmas celebration involves three days
of festivities, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
respectively. The Christmas day starts with a visit to the
church and organizing a get together party with families and
friends where gifts and presents are given. Santa Clause riding
on a sledge with the stocking full of gifts and candies; Christmas
trees decorated with stars, tinsels and lights; houses and
shops decorated with lights, twigs, and artificial snow are
some of the popular images that make us feel that Christmas
has 'arrived.' Christmas carol, gifts, candies, Christmas
trees, Santa Clause is what Christmas means to most of us.
Though initially, Christmas was celebrated only in Christian
countries but with the passage of time its popularity has
increased so much that today Christmas has emerged as one
of the most popular celebrations around the world.
Christmas day that is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary
of Jesus Christ started nearly 4000 years ago. In many countries
around the world Christmas celebration on December 25th is
a high point of the year. It is interesting to note the way
Christmas celebrations differ from one country to another.
In France for instance, Christmas is called "Noel" when most
of the people have a Christmas tree, decorated with red ribbons
and real white wax candles while fir trees in the garden are
adorned with lights throughout the night. In Portugal a special
Christmas meat of salted dry cod fish with boiled potatoes
are used for midnight eating on the Christmas Eve. In Russia
however, Christmas day is celebrated either on December 25th
or January 7th on account of the use of the "Julian calendar"
by the orthodox Russian church. For Russians, Christmas celebrations
include a lot of festivities and cake, pies and meat dumplings.
The Swiss organize a special Christmas meal on Christmas Eve
that includes brown beans, herring fish and ham followed by
presentation of gifts to families and friends. Germans decorate
their homes with electric candles at windows and colored plastic
or paper pictures that make them look beautiful during Christmas
night.
For more on celebrations from various parts of the world,
keep browsing through .
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