St Declans N.S.

Celebrating Christmas Around the World – ‘07

Please wait for the pictures to load……

As Christmas approaches, we eagerly anticipate the joy and happiness that comes at this time of the year. We decorate our homes, buy our presents and children wait with baited breath for Santa’s annual visit. We remember the Christmas story and recall Mary and Joseph’s difficult journey to Bethlehem.

Christmas is a time when people throughout the world are united in prayer and celebration. Christians gather together and while we all celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, Christmas is celebrated in different ways in homes all around the world. The message of peace and love is the same everywhere but different traditions are up-held depending on the country you are living in.

For example, in Italy children dressed as shepherds go from house to house, playing pipes and reciting Christmas poems. On Christmas Eve there is a celebration meal which is followed by a light Milanese cake called ‘Panettone’,and chocolate treats. In Italy the children wait until January 6^th for their presents.

In France children leave their shoes beside the fireplace to be filled by Pere Noel and a special log-shaped cake is eaten.

In Spain shoes are filled with straw or barley for the tired camels who carry the Three Wise Kings—they are seen as the gift bearers. The Spanish specially honour the cow at Christmas because it is thought that when Mary gave birth to Jesus in the stable, the cow breathed on the Baby Jesus to keep him warm. Children also receive gifts on the Epiphany.

In Poland the baking of the ‘piernik’ or honey cake is an important part of the preparations, and special decorations include the ‘pajaki’ which are handmade mobiles, stars and decorated egg shells.

These are just some of the ways that Christmas is celebrated throughout the world.

Happy Christmas to one and all.