Show Expressions Christmas traditions around the world ii I i if f f I PM k F rr 1 H k I V Va I Vry ry ii t a 11 t I t t M Mr Mt r p SENDING CHRISTMAS CARDS is a fairly recent tradition Raphael Powell helps carry on the tradition a r rm m tR r ra rt rE a t E f 7 a p Sr 3 iA e 1 ro 4 I Y YU U STOCKINGS WERE HUNG by the chimney with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas would soon be there The Uintah County Library staff have their stockings hung by the chimney waiting for them to with goodies iJ Lx sk H t F LP t A a w 15 A y t yS 4 S w d are fun activities for the young children Jared Calder takes a swing with a bat trying to break the Santa open I l Christmas is the day that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ Most of the Christmas story comes from the Bible in Luke 2 and Matthew 2 12 An angel appeared to sheperd wat thing ching their flocks and told them about the good news They travelled to see the child There were three who followed the bright star until It led them to the baby Jesus They gave him gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh The custom of exchanging gifts Is said to have been started because of the bringing Jesus gifts In some countries children believe their gifts come from Saint Nicholas a kindly bishop known for his generosity In some countries the children believe their gifts come from the or the Christ Child Santa Claus Is known as the I gift giver in this country Many countries have different traditions traditions and customs dealing with Christmas Following are some of these United States and Canada In our country Christmas Is a family family ly occasion where families and relatives get together to share this special time of year People decorate their yards and lawns and Christmas trees Bright lights various decorations shoppers filling the streets and stores with displays of toys and gifts are all included in this fest festive ve time of year Many people and churches set setup up their nativity scenes In remembrance of the birth of Christ Christmas cards are mailed gifts ex- ex exchanged ex- ex exchanged changed wreaths of holly and branches of evergreen are hung mistletoe Is hung over the doorways and many cakes and puddings are made to get ready for the holiday meals Schools usually have about about two weeks they get out for vacation It Is also a time of worship to show for the Christ Child Many families have big family dinners with such Items as turkey ham duck goose or chicken with potatoes and gravy sweet potatoes dressing cranberry sauce nuts fruit plum pud pud- pudding ding pumpkin or mince pie The most popular Christmas drink Is eggnog Groups gather gifts for needy families In the communities and deliver these items to them so they can also h have ve Christmas It Is also a time for many parties Great Britain In this country the children put their stockings by the fireplace so Father Christmas will fill them with treats Father Christmas is the English version of Santa Claus The traditional Christmas dish Is plum pudding This originated In England Drinking from the wassail bowl is an anold anold old English custom They drink It while it is hot People used to walk through the streets singing Christmas carols and return for a drink from this bowl Our custom of singing Christmas carols fr from m house to house comes from these singers in Great Britain France Children in this country put their shoes In front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve so Le Petit Noel the Christ Child or Pere Noel Father Christmas can fill them with gifts The adults exchange their gifts on New Years Year's Day Many Roman Catholic families return home from midnight mass and have a late meal known as le Ie What they have to eat is different In each part of the country In Paris they have oysters and andin andin in Alsace they have goose Which area they are living In determines what their late meal will consist of of A very popular dessert In France Is Buche de Noel which h is a rolled chocolate cake In the shape of the Yule log Germany Here they decorate trees with Christmas ornaments lights and tinsel They also add cookies that are shaped like human beings animals hearts and stars The advent wreaths are also very popular in this country They have four candles and light them one by one on the four Sundays before Christmas Children in this country believe that their gifts are brought to them by the Christ Child who is called the Christ Christ- Christkindl Christkindl kindl The children open their gifts on Christmas Eve The German version of Santa Claus Is Saint Nicholas They hold their feast day dayon dayon on Dec 6 It is on this feast day that Saint Nicholas leaves candy and other sweets for the children Many of the children leave him notes telling him what they want for Christmas He acts like a messenger to the Christkindl The Germans are famous for their Chr Christmas baking Two vo items they are especially known for is their Stollen which Is a long cake filled with raisins almonds and cherries herries aid L V which are spicy heart Aped cookies gd The young people eople o of this country are arc allowed to visit nine fountains on their way to midnight church services on Christmas Eve They are to take three sips of water at each of the fountains The legend says that If they do this their future husband or wife they will find waiting for them at the door of the church They have the same belief as other European countries which is at midnight the cattle are able to speak In honor of their presence at Christs Christ's birth Italy The people fast or go with little or no food the day before Christmas A family ceremony Is held around the In the evening which Is a miniature scene of Bethlehem The Christmas gifts are brought In an and distributed from a large crock called The Urn of Fate Most of the gifts are given on the eve of Epiphany which Is Jan 6 The legend says La who Is a kind old witch comes down the chimney with gifts She carries a bell in one of her hands and rings it to let everyone know of her arrival In the other hand she has hasa a switch or a piece of coal which she uses to hit the children who have been naughty Spain In this country after midnight mass the streets are filled with people who are dancing or watching those participating In the dancing In the Netherlands and Lux- Lux Luxembourg Luxembourg embourg the white white bearded bearded Saint Nicholas leaves gifts during the early hours of the fast day which is Dec 6 On the eve of Dec 6 the children traditional traditional- traditionally ly leave a wooden shoe near the fireplace The shoe Is filled with straw to feed Saint Nicholas donkey He leaves the children gifts and treats In return In these countries Dec 25 Is a purely religious holiday Norway The yuletide season begins Dec 21 which is St Thomas Day Church bells will ring at 4 pm on Christmas Eve The Christmas pudding which Is a tradition for them has an almond in it They believe whoever gets It will be the then next n one married Sweden The Christmas celebration begins on Dec 13 which is St Lucia Day The oldest daughter In the house dresses in white and wears a green wreath with seven candles on her head She brings coffee and buns to the rest of the family The children believe that elves called Juul Tonate or Juul Nisse help them with their holiday tasks and also brings them gifts They thank them by leaving them food at night Finland A special traditional dinner Is held which consists of a prepared fish dish called baked ham a casserole of stewed prunes and mashed turnips and rice porridge for dessert Poland These people fast for a full day before Christmas and have a feast on Christmas A chair Is left vacant at the festive table which Is for the Holy Child Straw Is scattered around the room to remind everyone that Christ was born In a stable There are many symbols associated with Christmas Some Include Saint Nicholas Santa Claus Christmas trees Christmas cards stars yule log mistletoe wreaths lights and many others Saint Nicholas served as a bishop of Myra In Aisa Minor in the AD He was known for his generosity Gradual Gradual- Gradually Gradually ly everyone accepted him as the gift gift- giver Saint Nicholas Day is observed on Dec 6 Santa Claus is an American symbol The name came from Dutch settlers In New York The belief that he enters the house through the chimney came from an old Norse legend The Norse believed that the goddess Hertha appeared In the yN f fApp App d r r f fth th the e I t 1 I t f v r f t fP M I tj t ft i e w r o tx a j eta 1 r 4 t ra 8 fIll i 7 4 A t l GOODIES are left for Santa to eat after delivering the boys and girls their Christmas toys and treats r x L r ak N Val ati 4 Y r r t r r i x w op r F Fop d AbI p f rM 4 ONE OF THE MOST Joyous symbols in America is Santa Claus fireplace and brought good luck to the home In Scandinavia mistletoe was con con- considered considered the plant of peace If enemies met under it they declared truce for one day The present custom of kissing ear 4 x 9 U It tt w Ii Ai t o L t F I t v tI ii ft 1 PERFORMING the Christmas story is the Vernal t I Fir First t Ward at their ward Christmas party The whoever stands under the sprig of mistletoe probably came from this custom In Scandinavia The most joyous symbol Is considered to be Santa Claus We wish you a merry Christmas I play is an annual event In remembrance of the birth of Christ 1 4 |