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Christmas Around the World |
Britain — The first Christmas carolers called "waits" sang "songs of joy" during the nineteenth century and are still a big part of Britain’s celebrations.
Spain — Holidays begin on December 8th. Shoes are filled with straw and sat on window sills to symbolically feed the horses belonging to the wisemen as a way to celebrate the Magi’s journey to Bethlehem.
Sweden — On December 13th the eldest daughter wears a wreath of candles on her head as she serves coffee to her family for breakfast. This is to symbolize St. Lucia carrying food to the early Christians hiding from persecution. To light the way, St. Lucia wore a wreath of candles.
Iraq — Christmas stories are read by candlelight. After that, a bonfire of thorn buses is lit. If the thornbush burns to ashes, it means a year of good luck. When the fire dies down, each person jumps over the ashes 3 times and makes a wish.
Greece — First it is 40 days of fasting then "christopsomo" (Christ Bread) is featured in a Christmas feast.
Poland — A feast starts after the first star appears to remember the star of Bethlehem. The feast is made up of 12 courses, symbolizing the 12 apostles, and an extra chair is set at the table for the Holy Spirit to join in the meal.
From Volume 2 of What's Up, Doc?,
November, 1998
© Copyright 1998, The Pond Doc's Water Garden Center. All rights reserved.
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