Christmas around the world 

Christmas, though traditionally a religious holiday has become progressively more secular. The conventions and traditions of Christmas have also undergone considerable change and have come under the influence of the local communities where Christmas is celebrated. This is probably why the traditional Christmas rites are as varied and diversified as cultures all over the world are. 

The United States is such a case where, many a Christmas tradition has been imported from various countries. Immigrants, chiefly European are mainly responsible for bringing with them these customs which make for a miscellaneous collection. The Christmas tree itself was a concept that originated in Germany as did the Yule log in England. Noels, more popular as carols, were a part of French traditions and Santa Claus descended from the Dutch. Fresh traditional rites such as the luminaries from Mexico and the greeting “Feliz Navidad!" from Latin America, have made appearances along with the recently arrived immigrants. 

Let’s make a rapid appraisal of some diverse yet fun-filled global traditions of Christmas. 

Africa 

Here the rituals of Christmas are splendidly diversified and are proof of the rich cultural heritage. Children run through the streets of Ghana on the Eve of Christmas, mouthing songs about Christ and crying, “Christ is coming! He is near!” People attend Church on Christmas eve or on Christmas day and the service takes place on occasions. “Fufu” a conventional dish of yam and pasted rice is served with okra soup, or stew, meat and porridge to kin and intimates after the service. 

Liberians make use of bells on oil palms to adorn Christmas trees. Soap, sweets, books, pencils, cotton garments and other such simple articles are distributed as presents among family members and close friends on Christmas. You may easily chance upon dramatization of the events that took place on Christmas First, included in the curriculum of services by the Church on Christmas mornings. A sumptuous dinner of beef, biscuits and rice is served in the open, followed by much enjoyment amongst all and there are also fireworks at night.   

Asia 

Although the customs of Asians and their religious outlook are much varied from the Christian outlook, Christians in the continent have successfully merged their beliefs with the indigenous traditions. The upper and middle classes of Asian society seem to have adopted much of the secular Western rituals of Christmas despite the fact that Christians are only a minority here. Christmas trees, lights and even the ubiquitous Santa Claus often make appearances at major departmental stores during Christmas.  

Community rules and regulations sometimes allow Asians to lawfully attend Church gatherings in celebration of Christ’s birth on the night before Christmas and also on Christmas itself. In China, where Christmas is celebrated as the Holy Birth Festival, many conventional Chinese symbols are used such as Lanterns and flowers. Since the color ‘red’ happens to officially denote happiness in China, red paper chains are used as ornaments for Christmas trees, which are called “Trees of Light”. The children eagerly wait for Santa Claus, who they call “Dun Che Lao Ren” meaning ‘Christmas Old Man’. 

Europe 

Americans would easily be able to identify with Christmas traditions of Europe since so many of America’s Christmas rites are derived from there. Many English customs are also a part of the American Christmas traditions and include the Yule log, carolers, stories (Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol) and stockings hung by the chimney. Hymns, such as “Deck the Hall” and “Hark! The Herald Angel Sings”, wassails and even roasted chestnuts are a part of this. 

Unique rituals are a regular part of the English Christmas celebration. The Queen conveys her warm wishes to the people through television and radio broadcasts on Christmas. A Christmas dinner without Yorkshire puddings, roasted goose with currants and Christmas cake would be quite unthinkable. Of course it would also be unwise to not mention turkey stuffed with chestnut. For Americans though, Boxing Day, which allows everyone to give gifts to tradesmen and other such associates on the day after Christmas, remains an English mystery.