Christmas Around The World

Written By: William McReynolds - Highlands Plateau Audubon Society | Issue: 2021/12 – December

The celebration of Christmas is a worldwide event where history, culture, and religion meet. 

Our American Christmas season features feasts and family, worshipful church services and remembrances, music and singing galore, Santa Claus and joyful gift giving, and rededication to peace on Earth and good will to all. 

This, a Yule Log, caroling, and much more form our Christmas season.

In Finland, Christmas is much about Santa Claus who, by tradition, is said to live in northern Finland near the Arctic Circle. Indeed, each year millions of letters are sent to Santa Claus, c/o Finland, and a large Finnish theme park, Christmas Land, is said to be “near his home.” 

In ancient custom, a Yule Goat was celebrated in Finland and today Santa’s name in Finnish is Joulupukki, meaning Christmas Goat. Joulupukki travels by reindeer and leaves gifts under the trees. The Christmas feast includes salted fish, pork, potatoes, and vegetable casseroles. 

In Russia, Christmas is making a comeback after being banned by the Soviets. New Year became the main seasonal celebration in the Soviet Union and remains so in Russia today. The two celebrations have merged into one long holiday from December 31 to January 10. January 7 is the holy day, Christmas Day, following the Orthodox calendar. On New Year, Grandfather Frost, and his granddaughter, Snegurochka, appear suddenly and give gifts to the children. Perogies are prominent on the table.

In China where only 1 percent of the people are Christians, the Christmas Story is mostly unknown. Among the very few rural Christians, a plastic tree might appear, but ceremonies are personal and private. In the large cities, on the other hand, secular Christmas trees and festive lights appear in department stores and public places. A new Christmas Eve tradition in China is giving apples to friends, brightly wrapped and symbolic of peace.

Ethiopia is a predominantly Christian nation on the Horn of Africa. This ancient culture follows the Coptic Orthodox calendar placing Christmas Day, again, on January 7. Some fast for 43 days before the Christmas feast. The faithful dress in white and they attend Christmas Eve Mass, which might last from 6:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. on Christmas Day. There are candlelight processions, singing, and Holy Communion. In traditional Ethiopian belief, one of the Three Wise Men was Ethiopian. 

Worldwide, Christmas is a traditional family event and ours is the family of the Highlands Plateau and of all humanity. 

Peace on Earth, goodwill to all from the Laurel magazine.