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Happy Christmas
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Christmas: In the Western world, the birthday
of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th
since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th.
The Christians had by then appropriated many pagan festivals
and traditions of the season, that were practiced in
many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means
of stamping them out. Do you know, Christmas is different
from countries.
Poland
During Advent and, in some homes, on Christmas Eve,
bees wax is poured on water, and fortunes are told from
the shapes which emerge.
Special tasks carried out during Advent are the baking
of the Christmas piernik or honey cake, and the making
of Christmas decorations. Pierniki are made in a great
variety of shapes, including hearts, animals and St.
Nicholas figures. Traditional decorations include
the pajaki or spiders, which are handmade mobiles,
stars and decorated egg shells.
Beautifully lit Christmas trees are placed in all
public arenas, outside churches and in homes. Traditionally
the trees are decorated with shiny apples, gift walnuts,
beautifully wrapped chocolate shapes and many homemade
decorations and candles. On the top of the tree is
a star or a glittering top piece. In many homes, sparklers
are hung on the branches of the trees giving it a
magical air. Sometimes the trees are left standing
until February 2, the feast day of St. Mary of the
Candle of Lightning.
Norway
Christmas in Norway is supposed to be when a mischievous
elf called Nisse can have his fun. He is said to live
in the lofts of old farmhouses and enjoys playing jokes.
He wears gray woolen clothes, a red bonnet, red stockings
and white clogs. Families leave him a bowl of rice pudding
or porridge on Christmas Eve to keep his jokes within
limits. Usually though he is kind and helpful helping
out on the farms and being especially good to the children.
Christmas Eve dinner begins with rice pudding that
holds a magic almond inside. Whoever finds the almond
receives a prize.
Greece
St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint
of sailors. According to Greek tradition, his clothes
are drenched with brine, his beard drips with seawater,
and his face is covered with perspiration because he
has been working hard against the waves to reach sinking
ships and rescue them from the angry sea. Greek ships
never leave port without some sort of St. Nicholas icon
on board.
On Christmas Eve small boys to the beating of drums
and the tinkling of triangles usually sing carols.
They go from house to house and are given dried figs,
almonds, walnuts and lots of sweets or sometimes small
gifts.
Italy
In Italy the children wait until Epiphany,
January 6, for their presents. According to tradition,
the presents are delivered by a kind ugly witch called
Befana on a broomstick. It was said that she was told
by the three kings that the baby Jesus was born, she
was busy and delayed visiting the baby. She flies around,
leaving presents at every house with children in case
he is there. She slides down chimneys, and fills stockings
and shoes with good things for good children and it
is said leaves coal for children who are not so good
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Christmas poems
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Christmas greetings
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Christmas tree
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Christmas song
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Download Critical Seeker Christmas Day version
Order Critical Seeker Christmas Day version full version |
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