Christmas festivities
Christmas traditions which
originated from the winter solstice celebrations may be traced back to
thousands of years.
In Bethlehem people go in pilgrimage through the narrow street
carrying a small, glided wicker cradle in which lies a waxen image of
Baby Jesus and enter the Church of the Nativity for mass.
 Sidewalks in America and Canada sparkle with lit-up Christmas trees
while Santa mingles with throngs of people. Windows of shopping malls
glistening with snow display gifts as old tunes like `White Christmas’
and `Jingle Bells’ are played softly. Houses are decorated with holly
ivy and mistletoe. The aroma of evergreens drift from trees laden with
baubles and presents.
Traditional food is roast beef, turkey, plum pudding and chestnuts.
Singing of Christmas carols started in the Middle Ages and is yet
carried on by children and Santa Claus accompanies them.
The village churches of Italy set up stables. Within the straw manger
there are figurines of the Holly Family, three kings, shepherds and
cattle.
Christmas is full of cheerfulness in Spain. Homes glitter with oil
lamps and the candle-lit creche’. People attend midnight mass, take part
in Nativity plays and feast on special macaroni dishes.
In European countries like Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands
families unite to go to church and spend a quiet season. Children set
wooden shoes on window-sills or baskets beside the fireplace for Santa
to put gifts into. Boys dressed to represent the “wise men” go from
house to house reciting Christmas stories. Breuder and cheese are some
traditional delicacies.
Christmas celebrations in the Scandinavian countries begin on 24th
evening and end on the “12th night”. Spiced bread and rice porridge with
a lucky almond or plum are served.
According to tradition small goats made of sheaves denote the saving
of wheat. Grain is sprinkled for the birds. A gnome called `Tomte’ clad
in red enters the house with an old woman carrying a basket of candies.
 South Americans enjoy themselves in both religious and fanciful mood.
Being the midsummer holiday, the Plaza is splendidly illuminated with
large Christmas trees. People take part in a procession to recall Mary
and Joseph searching for shelter, then enter a church to worship. For
little ones there is an earthenware jug at home into which they plunge
their hands to take sweets. At carnivals dancing girls swirl around in
colourful skirts clicking castanets to the strumming of guitars.
In some Northern countries a yule-log is cut down in time and set on
fire on Christmas Eve. A handful of cereal is thrown on the family while
they pray for blessings.
Children in Rumania carry gleaming stars on poles with tiny bells
tinkling as they walk along the streets. Mothers make a cake with layers
of icing sugar on it to represent the `swaddling cloth’ of Baby Jesus.
Christmas celebrations are indeed a mosaic of sacredness, joyful
activities and mysterious impressions.
- Caryl Nugara
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