Page 26 - 200912 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - December 2009

26 Christmas Around the World 26 Christmas Around the World Christmas Around the called ringli and hot chocolate. event. This celebration reminds us of the baby Christmas Around the In Switzerland, the Chlausjagen Festival World or Feast of St. Nichohlas is celebrated at dusk in a Bethlehem manger whose birthday we World celebrate. But whether Christmas is celebrated Continued from Page 25 on 6 December with a procession of "lifeltrager' on December 25th or on January 7th the Continued from Page 25 wearing gigantic illuminated lanterns in the message is the same: "Peace on Earth! Good shape of a Bishop's mitre on their heads. will towards men! Christmas in Russia Christmas in Russia The Swiss wait for the Christ child In the Ukraine, Father Frost visits all the Continues Continues called Christkindli, to arrive with gifts for all in children in a sleigh pulled by only three his reindeer-drawn sleigh. reindeer. However, she regretted not going and set In Switzerland, during the holiday He brings along a little girl named off to try and catch up, filling her basket with season the Star Singers or Sternsingers dressed Snowflake Girl. She wears a silver blue presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why as the Three Kings parade through the streets of costume trimmed with white fur and a crown she visits each house, leaving toys for good cities and towns singing Christmas songs. shaped like a snowflake. children. The role of Father Christmas was played In Zurich, Santa visits in a special by Dedushka Moroz or Grandfather Christmas fairytale tram and gives the children a ride Christmas in Vietnam through the city, singing songs with them and sharing a basket full of sweets. Traditional Vietnamese religions are Christmas in South America Buddhism and the Chinese philosophies of Christmas in Ukraine Taoism and Confucianism. However, during Native Bolivians celebrate Christmas more as a harvest festival. Thanks are given for Sviata Vechera OR "Holy Supper" is the French rule, many people became Christians. Christmas is one of the four most important completion of the year's work. They give an central tradition of the beautiful Christmas Eve festivals of the Vietnamese year, they being the account of the work done during the year and celebrations in Ukrainian homes. The dinner birthday of Buddha, the New Year and the mid- propose what is to be done the next year. Christmas tends to become a feast of adoration table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the autumn festival. Although the Christians embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the observed the religious rituals of Christmas. of the Goddess Mother Earth, who is asked to manger in Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve the Christians would bring a fruitful harvest, to keep away plagues, When the children see the first Star in attend a midnight Mass. After Church people and to give a prosperous year. the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the would return to their homes for the most In Brazil Santa Claus is little known and those who do know of the jolly fellow call him trek of the Three Wise Men, the Sviata Vechera important meal the Christmas supper. The dinner usually consisted of chicken soup, and may begin. In farming communities the head of Papa Noel. the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat wealthier people ate turkey and Christmas The children have no Christmas trees, but they do have a crèche or Presepio, called the didukh which represents the Pudding. The European customs of Santa Claus importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops representing the Christ-child's birth. Gifts and toys are exchanged during the holidays after of Ukraine, the staff of life through the and the Christmas tree were popular and children would leave their shoes out on centuries. Didukh means literally "grandfather which the Presepio is put away until the spirit" so it symbolizes the family's ancestors. In Christmas Eve. following Christmas. city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a In Ecuador the children write letters to the Christ-child and place shoes in the window vase are often used to decorate the table. Christmas in Yugoslavia A prayer is said and the father says the in which he may place toys as he passes by on traditional Christmas greeting, "Khristos In Yugoslavia, children celebrate the Christmas Eve. Noise-making toys are common rodyvsya!" which translated is Christ is born!, second Sunday before Christmas as Mother's and are used with much energy on the streets on which is answered by the family with "Slavite Day. The children creep in and tie her feet to a Christmas morning. Yoho!" which translated is Let Us Glorify Him!. chair and shout, "Mother's Day, Mother's Day, Since the weather is very warm, most celebrations are in the streets. There are In some families the Old Slavic form Khristos what will you pay to get away?" She then gives them presents. Children play the same trick on razhdayetsya is used. firecrackers, brass bands, and dancing. At At the end of the Sviata Vechera the their father the week after. midnight everyone goes to Mass. after which family often sings Kolyadky which is a Those Yugoslavs who live in the country the family dinner is enjoyed. Ukrainian Christmas Carols. In many fear bad luck if their Christmas log burns out communities the old Ukrainian tradition of and so someone has to stand over the log all Christmas in Swaziland caroling is carried on by groups of young people Christmas night to ensure it stays lit up. and members of organizations and churches A Christmas cake called chestnitsa, In Swaziland Christmas is on the 25th December. It is a beautiful time of year, where calling at homes and collecting donations. contains a gold or silver coin and is said that whomever gets it can expect lots of good luck. The favorite Ukrainian carol is Boh Christians get together, with friends and The Yugoslavs eat roast pig as their families to celebrate Christmas. predvichny meaning God Eternal which has a Christmas dish and it must be carved a very beautiful melody and lyrics. Some The day starts with a midnight mass in Ukrainian carols are unusual because they particular way, according to old customs. church then is followed by a meal, at home. mention Ukraine while others are ancient pagan Every household has a Christmas crib. Children take this opportunity to open presents, and sing Christmas carols. songs of a thousand years ago which have been According to old customs they go on an converted into Christian carols. expedition to the forests to gather moss with Christmas is a joyous day which opens which to line the crib. Also families would have Christmas in Switzerland for Ukrainian families with attendance at an old-fashioned music box that plays Church. Ukrainian Churches offer services Christmas carols.[] A tinkling of a silver bell heralds the arrival of Christkindli - a white clad angel, with starting before midnight on Christmas Eve and a face veil held in place by a jeweled crown. on Christmas morning. Christmas supper, without Lenten restrictions, does not have as The tree candles are lit as she enters each house many traditions connected with it as Sviata and hands out presents from the basket held by Vechera. The old tradition in Ukraine of giving her child helpers. gifts to children on St. Nicholas Day, December The week before Christmas, children dress up and visit homes with small gifts. Bell 19th, has generally been replaced by the Christmas date. ringing has become a tradition, and each village The traditional Christmas customs of competes with the next when calling people to Ukraine add color and significance to the winter midnight mass. After the service, families festival of Christmas, and Ukrainian Christmas gather to share huge homemade doughnuts on January 7th is usually a peaceful and quiet