Christmas Traditions Around the World

As Christmas approaches, the familiar fir trees, ornaments, Santa decorations, and gingerbread cookies will appear in stores and homes. One of the most beautiful things to see in the season of joy is the devotion that people around the world have for Christ and the Holy Family, and their unwavering dedication to commemorate the feast of the Epiphany. Here are some Christmas traditions from around the world.

England

Many of the traditions in the US come from England. Prince Albert, who was German, brought the German tradition of decorating a fir tree to England. The English also gave us the tradition of carols, Christmas lists, stockings, and Santa’s red robes. Children also receive gifts from Father Christmas in stockings, or even in pillowcases. Unlike in the United States, where children leave out cookies and milk, children in the United Kingdom traditionally leave out mince pies and brandy. One tradition that is often forgotten about today is that of “Wassailing.” “Wassail” means “good health,” and it refers to a drink that is a mixture of mulled ale, curdled cream, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, sugar, roasted apples, and eggs. It was served on New Year’s Eve and Twelfth Night, and there used to be carols that were sung about the drink before serving it. Perhaps the most famous British Christmas tradition is Boxing Day, which occurs the day after Christmas (the feast of St. Stephen). On this day, St. Stephen’s charity is remembered as the poor get gifts and donations through collection boxes. 

Ireland

Ireland is a traditionally Catholic country, and many attend Midnight Mass while many businesses are closed the week after Christmas. They began the tradition of Christmas wreaths, having originated as being a wreath of holly on the front door, as well as the tradition of lighting a candle in the window to welcome Mary and Joseph. The Irish also celebrate Christmas from Christmas Eve until the Epiphany, January 6^th. On January 6^th, women traditionally would get the day off, leaving the men to do the cooking and cleaning while the women gather together and chat. 

Germany

The German version of Santa Claus keeps Christmas more religious. St. Nicholas leaves goodies for children in their shoes on December 5^th – but if the children were naughty, he might leave sticks instead! We also get the tradition of the Advent calendar from the Germans, which originated in the 20^th century, being derived from the practice of marking down Advent days in the 19^th century. Today, giant Advent calendars are on display in Germany during the Christmas season.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabweans love music, and Christmas is no exception. During the Christmas season, it is common to hear festive music playing on speakers or carolers singing. Families only decorate the main room of their homes for Christmas. While some may have a Christmas tree, it is more common to use plants as decorations with ivy as a favorite choice. Zimbabweans also love dressing up, so they wear their best clothes for the Christmas service, which have an African print on them and are often colorful. After the Christmas service, they throw a party at their house. But they do not stay at home all day! It is traditional to go from house to house, stopping by friends and family, exchanging gifts and enjoying food. Common gifts in Zimbabwe include arts and crafts gifts, harkening back to the nation’s heritage as a center of sculptural expertise.

Mexico and Latin America

In Latin America, Christians celebrate Christmas for the full nine days leading up to Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They enjoy dressing up and knocking on doors to be turned away because the inn is full – a recall of the innkeepers’ rejection of Mary and Joseph just before Christ was born. Latin Americans will celebrate in a friend’s yard or in public, with music, regional foods, and a pinata for the children. They have a great feast on the ninth night before going to church. 

In Mexico, on Christmas Eve, bells ring out at midnight to call people to La Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster). The tradition holds that the only time a rooster ever crowed at midnight was when Christ was born. Mexicans also celebrate with the familiar poinsettias, which bloom during Christmastime in Mexico. Legend states that a young girl, Pepita, was too poor to bring a gift to the Christ Child. All she could offer was a bouquet of weeds, which saddened her greatly. But as she approached the Nativity scene, her generous heart was rewarded. Her bouquet turned into a beautiful bouquet of poinsettias. Today, Mexicans commemorate this legend by offering the Christ Child poinsettias. 

Colombia, a strongly Catholic country, has a beautiful tradition honoring Our Lady that begins the Christmas festivities. The feast of the Immaculate Conception is December 8^th. So, on the evening of the 7^th, Colombians put countless candles or lanterns in their homes and streets in the Noche de las Velitas (Night of the Little Candles).

Spain

In Spain, Christmas is celebrated until the feast of the Epiphany, January 6^th. Instead of Santa Claus, the Spanish remember the Wise Men who came to visit Jesus in the manger. On this evening, the Magi come to deliver gifts to children, who write letters to the Magi. The day before is filled with festivities and parades where the children see the Magi. Spain also celebrates La Misa de Gallo, after which it was tradition to go through the streets with instruments and singing. Instead of opening gifts on Christmas, most gifts are actually opened on the feast of the Epiphany, as children believe that the Magi bring the gifts. On Epiphany, a cake called roscón de Reyes is made and eaten, which is traditionally filled with cream and topped with candied fruit, though the filling can vary. Inside the cake, there is a bean and a figure of one of the Magi or of Baby Jesus. Whoever finds the bean pays for the cake next year, and whoever finds the Magi or Baby Jesus is crowned king for the day.

Russia

Russians celebrate Christmas about two weeks after many do, on January 7^th. This is due to the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, which is about two weeks later than the Gregorian calendar. In the Soviet Union, Christmas and other religious holidays were banned. Despite this, there are longstanding Christmas traditions. Many Russians do not attend church, but like Americans, many still celebrate Christmas. There was traditionally a forty-day fast (the Nativity Fast) leading up to Christmas Eve, after which the celebrations would begin once the first star is seen in the evening (in remembrance of the Star of Bethlehem). The family then sits down for a traditional Russian meal, excluding dairy and meat products. This meal is called the “Holy Supper.” Later, the head of the family leads those present in the Our Father, thanking God for the blessings of the year and of the new year, and he uses the traditional Russian greeting, “Christ is born!” to which those present respond with, “Glorify Him!”

Poland

One of the most recognizable Polish Christmas traditions is the tradition of the Oplatki, or Christmas Wafers. These are simple wafers of flour and water with images of Christmas imprinted. Traditionally, the oldest family member breaks off a piece of the Oplatek and hands it to another family member with a blessing. To encourage healing and fellowship, each member of the family receives a piece of the Oplatek from a member and gives a piece to another. And, since Christ was born in a manger and animals were among the first to greet Him, the family pets can participate in the Oplatki tradition, as well! There are pet-safe Optlatki available.

Ukraine

On the evening of Christmas Eve, the family sits down for the “Holy Dinner.” This dinner is a huge, twelve-course meal, honoring the twelve Apostles of Christ. The children will also go from house to house, caroling for goodies. When Christmas Day arrives, the typical greeting is, “Christ is born!” to which others respond, “Let us praise Him!” The children also usually put on a puppet play, depicting the Nativity. In Eastern Christianity, the Baptism of Jesus is celebrated on January 6^th (which is the feast of the Epiphany in Catholicism). On this day, Ukrainians will swim in the icy rivers or take baths.

Namibia

Many of Namibia’s traditions originate from the country’s German history. For example, Christmas trees and gingerbread cookies are common in the nation. At the start of Advent, the familiar Advent crown makes its appearance. Namibians also celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, December 6^th, on which day the children look forward to receiving goodies! This is also when the lights in public are lit up in preparation for Christmas Day. Namibians have the main meal on Christmas Eve, after which many go to Midnight Mass.

Alpine Countries

These countries have the beautiful tradition of carrying a statue of St. Joseph to a different home each night during Advent. Alternatively, residents in these countries may move the statue to different rooms in the house, until he joins the Nativity scene. They also have a beautiful Advent tradition, called Adventsfenster. Twenty-four homes are decorated with lights but are covered up, and on each night leading up to Christmas Eve, the neighbors sing at a different lit-up house and enjoy baked goods, after which the next house reveals its lights and decorations to mark off another Advent day.

France

The French celebrate Christmas through the entire month of December, and they often begin the gift giving on December 6^th (the feast of St. Nicholas). Instead of stockings, children place their shoes out for gifts, calling to mind the tradition of St. Nicholas putting gifts in shoes. Instead of the familiar robes that Christmas Nativity scene figures wear, in France, these characters wear French provincial clothing. The French also celebrate with the familiar Yule Log, which they sometimes sprinkle with wine before burning. They traditionally leave the log burning all night to keep the home lit for Mary and Jesus. On Christmas Eve, after Midnight Mass, the main Christmas meal is held. This meal is called Réveillon, and it has turkey or goose, foie gras, lobster, cheeses, and other delicious dishes, being topped off with the traditional bûche de Noël sponge cake. Certain parts of France also celebrate with thirteen desserts, representing Christ and his 12 Apostles. The French also celebrate the feast of the Epiphany with a king cake, or galette des rois, which is very similar to the Spanish roscón cake. The galletes des rois are sold with paper crowns. Whoever finds the bean, or fève, inside their slice gets to be king or queen for the day, being crowned with the paper crown.

Sweden

The Swedes have a unique spin on the legend of Santa Claus. Their version is named Tomte, who is a somewhat scary-looking gnome who appears to deliver gifts, which he hides in the house. Tomte’s sleigh is pulled by a magic goat. The Swedes also celebrate the feast of St. Lucy, which is December 13^th. The oldest daughter dresses in white and wakes the other members of the family with a traditional breakfast. On the first Sunday of Advent, they light the first Advent candle (there are four to be lit on each Sunday) with mulled wine and gingerbread. On the night of Christmas Eve, children open gifts wrapped with a rhyme written on top that gives an idea of what’s inside. After indulging in multiple Swedish dishes, they have rice pudding after the main meal. Whoever finds the almond inside the pudding is said to be married in the new year. Traditionally, Swedish farmers used to leave out some of this rice pudding to feed Tomte to convince him to care for the farm animals.

Nigeria

Nigerians do not take Christmas for granted! They often begin preparations on December 1^st, and it is common for people to change clothes or their hair for the season of renewal. Their Christmas celebrations often last all night on Christmas Eve. They also often shoot off fireworks, sing carols, and have a delicious Christmas meal – the favorite staple of which is chicken. Nigerians also love singing and dancing, so such festivities are common during the Christmas season. They also love bright and vibrant colors, so many dress up in festive clothes for Christmas and wrap gifts in such colors. They are also deeply religious, and not going to the Christmas service is often frowned upon. HLI’s missionaries in Nigeria not only do outreach for the needy during this time, but they also collaborate with the Marriage Enrichment Circle to organize a party for the couples, which ends in a dinner together.

The Philippines

The Filipino people are deeply religious, and they hold the record for the longest Christmas celebration as they celebrate Christmas beginning in September and ending on the feast of the Epiphany. For nine days in a row, from December 16^th until Christmas Eve, they attend a series of nine Masses, known as the Misas de Aguinaldo (Gift Masses). The Mass on Christmas Eve is the Misa de Gallo, the Rooster’s Mass that the Mexicans also celebrate. After this Mass, many stay awake all night and have the Noche Buena, a midnight open house dinner. A traditional Filipino Christmas dish is embutido (a favorite of HLI’s missionaries in the Philippines!), a recipe for which you can find here! The parol is the most common Christmas decoration. It is star lantern atop a bamboo pole to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. While many in the Philippines are poor or homeless, there is one man who visits them to bring Christmas cheer. Santa R-Kayma Klaws is in his 70s and dresses up as Santa, visiting poor areas of the country and giving hope to children. In true Santa fashion, he also owns the only reindeer farm in the nation!

Ethiopia

It is often said that at least one Magi came from Ethiopia. Ethiopia, like Russia, follows the Julian calendar, so they celebrate Christmas on January 7^th. On this day, they dress in the traditional netela, which is a thin white scarf, to honor the Magi. Ethiopians often hold a fast for forty-three days leading up to Christmas, starting on November 25^th. This fast is known as Tsome Nebiyat, or the Fast of the Prophets. Only one meal per day is traditionally eaten, and no meat, dairy, eggs, or alcohol is allowed. Their Christmas Eve service starts at 6pm and goes until 3am on Christmas morning! But the festivities do not end after Christmas. On January 19^th, Ethiopians celebrate Jesus’ Baptism for three days! This celebration is known as Timkat. What may come as a surprise to many, Ethiopians do not emphasize gift-giving in Christmastime. Instead, going to church, eating, and playing games are focal points of the festivities.

Zambia

Zambians are a wonderful example of generosity and love during the Christmas season. It is common for Zambian children to give gifts to those in the hospital or to the poor, remembering Christ’s poverty and His call to care for those in need. Nativity plays and caroling are common leading up to Christmas Eve, which is the main day of celebration for Zambians. It is customary for children and adults to go to other houses to celebrate with their neighbors. Many return to their homes to visit their families, and those in villages often dance to traditional songs and talk around a fire. 

We can all learn something from the devotion seen in other countries. Whether that means returning the focus of Christmas to the Baby Jesus, remembering the feast of the Epiphany, or opening hearts to generosity and humanity, we at HLI hope your Christmas this year is filled with blessings and joy!