Christmas has always been an occasion that every Christian looks forward to, but by Jove, it’s not just them today, but people from Australia to Japan who does not want to miss a single bit of the excitement of this big occasion. Although it’s Christmas everywhere but the way of celebrating it is very different from each other. Let’s just sneak into a few countries to check what they do on this occasion
Australia: Christmas Down under is the key to all the fun and excitement of Christmas for all Australians but the saddest part lies in the fact that most of the times, the people of this country are deprived of snow which is the pioneer of decorations. Christmas without The Australians eagerly look forward to this occasion as it marks the beginning of the Summer holiday and the time when the students wrap up their school year. Time for some fun and no studies and meeting up with friends and relatives.
Celebrations in Australia has always been influenced by the Anglo-Celtic for over 30 years. The roasting of turkeys and steamed puddings adorned their dining tables but with the change in times and with the migration of people from different corners of the world, the Australian celebrations underwent a sea change. It was no more goofing around but spending quality time with friends and family members. One of the biggest attractions of this occasion is the pulling of the Santa's sleigh by eight white kangaroos, a sight worth watching. Decorations are at its peak with children giving a helping hand to their elders in decorating the family Christmas tree. Shops are seen flooded with customers and churches echoing high to the carol practices for the big day. With joys in everyone’s eyes and a music on their lips...Christmas is also remembered in its true sense, a day when baby Jesus was born.
Bethlehem: No other place could celebrate Christmas in a more grand way than Bethlehem, as this was that small town where Jesus was born.
Christmas Eve witnesses, natives and visitors standing on the roof to watch the dramatic annual procession. The parade is led by galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses. Followed by solitary horseman carrying a cross, the procession enters the doors and places an ancient effigy of the new born Child in the church. The star holds a special place in the Christmas celebrations of the people of Bethlehem. We get to see the doors of Christian homes in Bethlehem marked by a cross painted over the door. The star marks the site of the birth of Jesus.
Ireland: This place celebrates Christmas in the most unique way. They have the tradition of preparing mince pies and a bottle of Guinness for Santa who would fill their homes with lots gifts, joys and happiness and to grab all of this, the stockings fall short and so the end up hanging big sacks. The Wren Boys' Procession is a big attraction of this special day and the young men parade noisily through the streets dressed extravagantly and sometimes with masks on. They carry with them long poles with bushes on the top. The most notable part is the begging scene where the young men beg for the wren that lies captured in the holly bush.
Mexico: Celebrating Christmas at Mexico is surely going to be an amazing experience with the beautiful poinsettia flowers that grow all over the country and something that is very much associated with this occasion. The place starts its celebrations much before the chosen day with the markets getting filled with all the items related to Christmas. Be it for the flowers, cheese, bananas, decorative items...all are sure to be found there. People travel for days to remote areas to gather all necessary items for Christmas. Las posada, is the name given to the Christmas celebrations in this country, a procession which reminds us of the search of Mary and Joseph for a place in Bethlehem. The procession begins nine days before Christmas as the initial journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem had taken nine days. As a part of the procession, the people divide themselves into two groups, one being the innkeepers and the other the pilgrims. The pilgrims go from house to house for shelter but are rejected...but finally get it at a house where the alter and the Nativity scene has been set up. There is rejoicing in the air with eating, drinking and merrymaking.
One very funny trend that the place follows is that, the children keep their shoes outside for Santa to shower it with gifts instead of their stockings.
Well with all this to go your way I am sure you are going to have a tough time selecting your venue for this years Christmas celebrations. Wishing you all the success in getting to the right place to kick start your Christmas celebrations as I make my way to the most exotic destinations of the world. Have fun and have a great season ahead.
Sean Carter writes on holidays, Christmas and world events. He also writes on family, relationships, Thanksgiving, religion, love and friendship. He is a writer with special interest in ecard industry and writes for 123greetings.com. He is also an active blogger at Christmas Blog
