Christmas All Around The World!!!
By Annie
Vietnam
Traditional vietnamese religions are Buddhism,Taoism and Confucianism. During the French rule,lots of people became Christians.Christmas is one of the four most important festivals of the Vietnamese year because it was the birthday of the Buddha.On Christmas Eve the Christians would attend a midnight Mass.After Church they have the most important meal the Christmas supper.The dinner usually included chicken soup and wealthier people ate turkey and Christmas Pudding.Children would leave their shoes out on Christmas Eve.
China
The Christian children of China decorate trees with colorful ornaments. These ornaments are made from paper in the shapes of flowers, chains and lanterns. They also hang muslin stockings hoping that Christmas Old Man (Santa) will fill them with gifts and treats.The Chinese Christmas Tree's are called the "Tree of light".The non-Christian Chinese call this the Spring Festival.The children are the main part of these celebrations.They receive new clothes and toys, eat nice food and watch firecrackers displays.
Japan
Only one percent of Japanese people believe in Christ.Most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas.They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus.Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.Rather than eating nice food, they spend the time doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.
US America
Santa Claus was the Dutch word for St Nicholas.He smoked a pipe and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole.He did however bring presents to children every year.Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States.These settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbors by shooting firearms and letting off fireworks. In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies, Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.
Canada
In Labrador, turnips are saved from the summer harvest and are given to children with a candle pushed into a hollowed out hole. Also in Nova Scotia, small groups of Belsnicklers, or Masked Mummers, appear in neighborhoods, ringing bells, making noise, seeking candy or other treats. The hosts may try to guess who the mummers are and if they guess right the mummer removes his or her disguise and stops making rude noises and actions. Children are also quizzed by the Mummers or Belsnickers on their behavior if they say they have been good they are rewarded with candy.
Italy
In Italy Christmas goes for three weeks starting 8 days before Christmas.In the week before Christmas children go from house to house dressed as shepherds, playing pipes, singing and reciting Christmas poems.A strict feast goes for 24 hours before Christmas Eve.On christmas Eve the dinner is called cenone which is a dish of eel.In Italy the children wait until Epiphany, January 6, for their presents.The presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called Befana on a broomstick.
France
On Christmas Eve, children leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts.In the morning they also find that sweets, fruit, nuts and small toys hung on their Christmas tree.Most French homes at Christmas time has a scene which is the main focus for the Christmas celebration.This have been passed from generation to generation since the seventeenth century. Le reveillon is a late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The the meal normally contained goose,turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon oysters and pat de foie gras.
Philippines
Christmas starts nine days before Christmas with a mass known as Misa de Gallo.The Panunuluyan pageant is held each Eve.The Philippines also have the tradition of making 3-D "parols" or star lanterns made from thin strips of bamboo and covered in colored thin plastic film.In more affluent households, it is traditional to serve all kinds of food as a form of Thanksgiving to Jesus.
India
Christians in India use mangoes,banana trees and oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations.They also give charity for the poor.The Poinsettia is a flower that blooms in Christmas and they decorate the church in those Poinsettia flowers.In South India, Christians put clay lamps on their roofs and walls of their houses at Christmas.