As lights are put up, trees are bought, and mid-term exams are getting nearer by the day, it's time to acknowledge the upcoming holidays. Christmas is celebrated in many ways all over the world and has all different names. In Brazil, father Christmas is called Papai Noel and in France, Christmas is called Noël. Everyone has a different way of celebrating this joyous occasion with different traditions and these are just a few.
Santa Claus in Belgium is called de Kerstman or le Père Noël. Small family presents are given and put underneath the tree or in stockings. A sweet bread called "Cougnou" is served on Christmas morning and is supposed to be shaped by the baby jesus. In Hungary, children receive candies and small toys in their shoes on Dec. 6th. On Dec. 24th, children go to the movies or a relatives because baby Jesus brings them a tree and presents. Upon returning, they enjoy a festive meal and then view the tree for the first time. They share presents and then older children attend midnight mass with parents.
Latvians believe that father Christmas brings gifts on all 12 days of Christmas, starting with Christmas eve. The first Christmas tree was decorated in Latvia. The special Latvian Christmas Day meal is cooked brown peas with bacon (pork) sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage. In Portugal, a special Christmas meal of salted dry cod-fish with boiled potatoes is eaten at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Here in the United States, We generally celebrate Christmas on the morning of December 25th. Children wake up early to run downstairs and find beautifully wrapped presents under the tree. If you are catholic you might attend midnight mass or midnight service on Christmas eve, as do some other denominations such as Methodist, Lutheran, and Greek orthodox. Children are told that Santa Claus will come at midnight with a big, red bag of toys down through the chimney. He will arrive stylishly in a sleigh with nine flying reindeer and land on the roof. Children leave cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and sugar for his reindeer. Christmas morning breakfast consists of cinnamon rolls or some sort of coffee cake. Christmas dinners include either turkey or ham and sometimes both. Epiphany is celebrated by Catholics, as is Advent.
Christmas has many names and faces all around the world. This time of year permeates with holiday cheer and charity. Whether you're finding coal in your stocking or joyously sifting through the candies you found in your shoe, Christmas is a great celebration.
katie rule.
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