by Norman Hals, contributor
There are many different traditions and ways that people celebrate Christmas, because of its multi-cultural nature. Many customs are similar to ones in the UK, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland and Mexico. Each family has their favorite meal on Christmas Eve or on Christmas. The Jewish faith has an eight-day celebration with Chanukah nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and food. As we all know cards are sent out to wish a Happy New Year and many get in the spirit by singing carols. There is some great music at Christmas, the carolers in the neighborhood, malls and churches.
Many cities and town neighborhoods have competition with decorating homes with lights to celebrate Christmas. Town squares are also fixed with decorations. Perhaps the most famous Christmas street lights in the USA are at the Rockefeller Center in New York where there is a huge Christmas tree. Some cultures stay calm during the craziness of the holiday season.
Many of us celebrate Christmas time in much the same way as they use to, our grandparents also have many of their own Christmas traditions and customs. Christmas for Irish people, who are Catholics, lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of Epiphany on January 6th, which some Irish people call ‘Little Christmas’. Epiphany isn’t now widely celebrated in Ireland. One of the most important ways of celebrating Christmas in Italy is the Nativity crib scene. Using a crib to help tell the Christmas story was made very popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223 (Assisi is in mid-Italy). The previous year he had visited Bethlehem and saw the stable, where it was thought that Jesus was born. A lot of Italian families have a Nativity crib in their homes. Songs and singing are very popular at Christmas time in Puerto Rico. People like to carol sing, known as Parrandas (also sometimes called Asalto or Trulla). Friends gather late in the evening (about 10pm) and visit different houses. People are meant to be surprised and woken up by the music and singing of the ‘parranderos’ (those taking part in the ‘parranda’), although most people have ‘arranged’ that they will be visited; because the custom is that when you’ve been ‘woken up’ you have to join in the parranda so it grows during the evening as more party go-errs join in! The fun can last all night, finishing at dawn! In Russia after the big New Year celebrations they celebrate Christmas. The New Year is the big time for spending lots of money and eating and drinking lots. Christmas is much more religious and private. New Year is also when ‘Grandfather Frost’ (known in Russian as ‘Ded Moroz’ or ??? ?????) brings presents to children. Christmas in Russia is normally celebrated on January 7th (only a few Catholics might celebrate it on the 25th December). The date is different because the Russian Orthodox Church uses the old ‘Julian’ calendar for religious celebration days. The Orthodox Church also celebrates Advent. The official Christmas and New holidays in Russia last from December 31st to January 10th.
There are many traditions that families carry on when they came to the United States and still do. It’s good to hold on to our ancestry. In the 18th and 19th centuries getting married on Christmas Day was a very popular tradition, with churches holding festive services. In a number of countries in homes they would have candles on the Christmas tree. In Ireland they would place a candle in the window all night to welcome Mary and Joseph. Candles have an old timely feeling. But, today we are using lights in our wreaths, garlands and on trees. The developing technology today, which has developed at unprecedented rate, has had an impact on old traditions. It has saved many homes from fire too.
Christmas time is a time to tell stories. This is when you may hear about: “when I was young we went in the snow for our tree”. Many times the story teller would add a little more than what really happened. We still have the Christmas Ghosts stories, along with Charlie Brown, the Grinch that Stole Christmas and of course Rudolph the Red Noise Reindeer. Charles Dickens inspired the Christmas Carol. For most of us Christmas, is about family. There are some who are not that close to anyone. Thank goodness to all of you who help those who are by themselves! Christmas is when we come together to converse with family. Christmas is magical.
Let us not forget this season those who protect us, the military, fire department and police. They are there to protect our FREEDOM. Wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best wishes to you all, for Peace and Joy this Holiday Season and a New Year of Health, Happiness and Prosperity.
