Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThis feast was created by the pope to promote Christianity and remove pagan festivals celebrated at the winter solstice.
This day has always been represented by religious ceremonies and gifts and greetings exchange.
* The December 24th Midnight Mass; which celebrates the birth of Jesus.
* The Christmas tree, a symbol from the pagan celebration and representing life.
* Santa Claus, an American creation, inspired by the Christian Saint Nicholas (celebrated in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Alsace).
Saint Nicholas rewards good children while his companion Pere Fouettard/Black Peter punishes nasty children) and the elf Yule Goat, celebrated in
Scandinavian countries.
The gift exchange: luxurious for the rich people and useful - sometimes only one orange - for the poor people, has been replaced by the modern marketing.
The secularization of our society removed the true meaning of Christmas Time; which is, obviously, becoming a pagan feast.
The Great Patron of Schoolboys, who is supposed to bring candies in their shoes, brings in fact toys by the thousands to our children.
Belgium seems to forget that it is a Catholic country and closes more and more churches, therefore, the Midnight Mass on December 24th usually happens at 6
or 8 PM.
Children usually receive a book or some clothes.
Belgian people visit their family on January 1st.
France:
Noël is dedicated to children.
French people have lots of Christmas customs: Christmas Markets, tree, the Christmas Dinner, Pere Noel, gifts, stories, songs, turkey, The Christmas Crib,
the Yule Log, and so on.
The Netherlands:
They organize their St.
Dutch people reserve the big gifts for Kerstmis Time because they profit for some great bargains after Sinter Klaas.
On December 26th they visit their family and their friends.
Germany has also a Saint Nicholas festival on December 6th.
Children sing "Carols" in the streets, they eat the famous "Xmas Pudding" at the end their family dinner on December 25th.
British people also exchange greeting cards; which are a British creation.
The windows of the shops are filled with lots of gifts and Spanish celebrate the Navidad Evening with their family.
The Portuguese attend the Midnight Mass; which is the "Missa Do Galo".
Italy:
Natale lasts three days, from December 24th till 26th.
The Italian Christmas dessert is "Panettone".
Once they finish to eat, they read the bible.
Other European countries:
In Romania, on December 24th, there is a Christmas candle burning until the morning of December 25th.
In Greece the Christmas period begins on Christmas Eve and ends at the Epiphany.
USA:
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus is coming to announce the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.
Children hang empty stocks empty on the fireplace and on the Christmas morning they find them filled with candy and small toys.
Canadian people decorate their house with a Christmas tree, a Christmas wrap, a Christmas Crib.
Turkey and the Christmas log are the essential ingredients of a Canadian Christmas Dinner.
South America:
Peruvian people have Christmas parties but also learn to live better on christmas time.
Mexican people celebrate Christmas with Las Posadas (pilgrimages representing the path by the Mary and Joseph).
I Guatemala, immigrants have imported their German customs and the Christmas tree is essential but the Christmas gifts are reserved to the children.
Australia:
Christmas happens during the summertime, so Australian people celebrate Christmas at the beach.
New Zealand:
If there are few decorations, New Zealand people organize Christmas parades and people sing in the parks.
Japan:
Christmas is merely commercial significance in Japan.
China:
If Christmas Day is not a holiday, Christmas is celebrated in Chinese cities.
For the Chinese people who celebrate it, Christmas is a religious event.
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