Christmas Traditions
Christmas celebratrions start around the 25th of December, the feast of the Nativity, celebrating the birth of Jesus. As the Bible verse tells us, “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn”. Christianity celebrates the occasion with feasting, singing and carols.
Christmas trees of course play a classic part of the celebration, and were used by Germans as early as 1550 to celebrate Christmas, having been introduced by Italians. Of course, we all know that the tree is decorated with baubles, ribbons and lights and topped with a star by people all over the world today. Often, Christmas trees are located in the entrance of churches, to symbolize the tradition and spirit of Christmas.
One of the oldest Christmas traditions takes place on 6th December, St Nicholas’ day. Popular in Eastern Europe, children put their shoes out the night before and receive presents. This tradition is still celebrated today, as children leave their shoes out to receive small gifts, or even a carrot or bit of coal.
We can’t forget the nativity display either, where the baby Jesus is laid in a manger with surrounding characters. This recognise the true culture and symbolises the birth of Jesus. Inside the churches and homes, figures of baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the shepherds form an emotional scene.
The Christmas decorations and traditions often remind us about the Christian faith’s message of love and peace. Regardless of religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds, people all over the world celebrate the festive season by decorating their houses and presearing gifts, aiming to share the peace of Christ’s teachings with loved ones.
Christmas carols are also symbolic of the Christian faith. Sung in churches and played in streets, these classics carry the message of joy and celebration through their lyrics as they remind us of the Nativity story.
Community Celebrations
Many countries ground Christmas in festivals, often involving food and drink. For example, ‘Las Posadas’ in the Spanish-speaking countries comes from the Latin term for ‘lodgings’, as in the bible when Mary and Jose settled on their journey to Bethlehem. The celebration consists of processions, food and religious readings.
Similarly, in Western Europe, the day before Christmas Day is known as ‘Father Christmas Day’, normally on the 24th of December. An effigy of Father Christmas is paraded down the streets for children, granting gifts and bringing joy.
In Italy, the celebration of Nativity, known as ‘Presepe’, is an important part of the festive season and commemorates the birth of Jesus, who was born in a humble manger. The characters include baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the three wise men and the shepherds, accompanied by a statue of an angel.
In the Philippines, Simbang Gabi is a mass celebrated in churches over a nine-day period before Christmas. This is because each morning a 9th candle is lit, symbolizing solidarity and togetherness. Villagers also come together to offer traditional Christmas meals, often a sumptuous feast.
In South Africa, ‘Tweede Naail’, translated as ‘Second Christmas’, is celebrated after the new year is welcomed by families. It is an opportunity for mince pies and Christmas puddings, an even bigger feast than before.
Christmas for Fasting and Abstinence
In addition to the festive activities and feasts, some sects of Christianity practice fasting and abstinence. Primarily practiced by Catholics, many Christians fast by limiting eating during the Christmas period to one meal or two small meals a day, as stated in the Bible. The intention of this is usually to remind the participants of what Jesus gave up.
Manipuri Christian traditions form a particularly interesting practice. Christmas Eve marks the beginning of a 40 day fast, where pork, beef and poultry are avoided, and some only foods essential to survival, such as yam and banana. This is done with the intention of understanding Jesus’ hardships and developing a spiritual discipline where one is closer to God.
Similarly, the Eastern Orthodox Church follows a fasting tradition with intentions of avoiding heavy foods. Following the Nativity Fast from November 15th, the traditional fasts are held throughout Advent and ends on January 6th, according to their liturgical calendar.
Christmas Giving
Christmas offering is an important part of the Christmas season for Christian believers, and exchage of gifts to family and friends at Christmas is also a strong part of the tradition. Exchanging gifts at Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ and God’s love. This can symbolize a ‘new beginning’ as gifts are exchanged on this day to represent a restoration of a relationship.
The wise men in the Bible brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus and their tradition of giving gifts at the birth of Jesus has been mirrored over the years The Pope receives many gifts, of which the national gift is used to build the “Manger in Bethlehem”, illustrating the traditional story behind Christmas giving and it’s spiritual meaning.
In addition, as young children wait for Father Christmas to visit, they do so knowing that the gospels tell us that he is in memory of St. Nicholas, who gave gifts and looked after those who were disadvantaged. This compassion and the joy of giving remain the driving force behind the Christmas gifts given throughout the seasons.
Interfaith Celebrations
Many Christians today celebrate and share aspects of the Christmas season with their friends and family, despite having a variety of religious backgrounds. Hindu and Buddhists, as well as nonbelievers, are all involved in the festivities to various degrees. The multi-faceted nature of these celebrations allows for individual, spiritual and traditional opportunities for reconcilitation and peace.
Christmas has grown to be a wonderfully multicultural occasion, mixing many cultures and religions together. It is a time in which people come together to celebrate the beauty of community, regardless of the different theological backgrounds involved.
For some, the holiday season allows to celebrate the coming together of family and friends over the festive period, regardless of the religious meaning connected to it. This is often the way in which the philosophical message of love is shared and fostered, regardless of who the participants are.
It is clear that Christmas has historically been celebrated all over the world, and there is a strong spiritual message that lies in its celebration. Different religions have their diverse interpretations of the festivities, however, all enjoy the social and symbolic contents of the celebration. Regardless of where people are or what they believe, Christmas is enjoyed by all.
Eco Conscious Celebrations
In today’s world, celebrating Christmas with a focus on sustainability is strongly encouraged. Often, robust materials such as plastic and Styrofoam are used in decorations, and wasteful single-use products are bought in abundance. Instead, it can be better to decorate with what we have, or create seasonal crafts and decorations using recycled materials.
Candles are an excellent way to enjoy the Christmas season, as there is an array of beeswax and soy-based candles that can be used instead of paraffin candles which emit toxins. Furthermore, Christmas lights are becoming more efficient and eco-friendly, such as solar powered strings of lights that can be recharged after use.
Nutrition and food waste is also a common issue. Be sure to be aware of allergens and intolerances when preparing meals, and plan how much food will be necessary to avoid over-purchasing and wasting unneccessary products. Additionally, it is useful to have container leftovers with guests to reduce even further the amount of food thrown away.
When it comes to gifts, why not think of long-lasting, meaningful presents that don’t require packaging and causing waste. Acts of thought and kindness, or volunteering to put one’s time to long-lasting good use can be a great way to celebrate Christmas compassionately and with greater sustainability.
Conclusion
Christmas is an important feast in the Christian community and is celebrated with deep meaningful traditions and rituals that vary from sect to sect. However, regardless of how we choose to celebrate, the heart of the festive season lies in its spiritual connections and is a time for joy, for peace and for togetherness.
