How do you celebrate Christmas in different countries of the world?

How do you celebrate Christmas in different countries? Certainly the answer to this question is not known to every inhabitant of our vast country, which for many centuries did not recall this holiday at all. Nevertheless, the forgotten tradition is gradually reviving and today it can be said without exaggeration that Christmas is one of the most beloved Orthodox holidays, albeit unofficial. Still, who does not like to get together at a table with a large family and eat spicy things and dishes, including baked goose, kutya, pies and rolls. This holiday carries with it a maximum of coziness, warmth, love and kindness. He is especially eagerly awaited by children who associate him with miracles and magic. Agree, every child will be very happy to receive a gift on Christmas, the eve of which is celebrated with unforgettable Christmas carols, spectacular dances and hymns. Of course, in our country the birth of the "son of God" is a landmark event! However, how do you celebrate Christmas in different countries? Noteworthy is the fact that in some European countries and the United States the offensive of the above-mentioned holiday is expected much more than the New Year.

Of course, it's no secret that Christmas has a religious basis, and there is not a secular one in it. It is for this reason that residents of the "Old World" prefer to spend Christmas Eve not at the kitchen stove, but in the church, watching the priest's service.

Considering the question of how Christmas is celebrated in different countries, it should be emphasized that each state has its own traditions and foundations, which are always remembered when the "son of God" is born. In our country, after the collapse of the USSR, the above-mentioned Orthodox holiday was legalized in 1991 by presidential decree.

So, let's move on to the practical side of the question of how Christmas is celebrated in different countries.

Czech Republic

Christmas Eve Czechs consider it a blessing time - it is during this period that they are engaged in decorating Christmas trees. After that they start giving gifts to cheer up and create a holiday atmosphere for their friends and relatives.

Of course, the family invites all guests to the table, where the main treat is carp. Fish is bought alive, and then baked with cumin. After a hearty supper, the Czechs prefer to tell fortunes on apples. The fruit is cut into two equal parts, and if an asterisk is obtained from the bones of the correct shape, this means that the year will be happy and successful.

Montenegro and Serbia

How do they celebrate Christmas in different countries of the world, for example, Montenegro and Serbia? These Slavic peoples call the holiday "Bozhich", and on the eve of the holiday - "Badnidan". Serbs, in particular, adhere to this tradition: in the morning of Badnidan, the head of the family together with the eldest son go to the forest to bring out a log of young oak, and the father must then throw it into the fireplace.

The tree burns for three days, protecting the home and family, and also attracting luck and financial well-being for the coming year.

Albania

Here lives a huge number of Orthodox, so the holiday can not do without the traditional "Christmas" symbols: Christmas trees, feasts and gifts.

Greece

Very interesting is the question of how Christmas is celebrated in different countries of the world, in particular, Greece? In the Balkans they hold a Christmas fast and on Christmas Eve the children go to their homes and carols, announcing the imminent birth of the Savior. At the same time, Greek religious principles are not devoid of a pagan basis. For example, since ancient times, the legend of the existence of insidious and evil elves has passed in modern days, in the course of 12 days after the birth of Jesus, chaos and disorder are induced in the houses. For this reason, the Greeks burn incense and prepare for the "uninvited guests" of the offering.

A symbol of Christmas in Greece is a wooden cross, decorated with branches of basil. He is placed in a container of water and after the washing of the cross, she becomes a saint. Such water is sprayed into the corners of the dwelling to expel the evil elves.

Brazil

The question of how Christmas is celebrated in different countries of the world, for example, in Brazil, is very noteworthy. At the birthplace of coffee, the moment of appearance of the "son of God" is celebrated without the usual attributes for us - snow, sleigh, snowman and, of course, frost. At this time there is a terrible heat. Spruce is decorated with artificial snow in the form of ordinary cotton wool. Brazilians are a very faithful people and the start of the Christmas holiday is given by the "Mass of the Rooster", since it is this poultry that notifies about the onset of the morning. In the homeland of the "carnival", it is not customary to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a narrow family circle, where mass street festivities take place with bright incendiary dances and hymns. If you have a very remote idea of how to celebrate Christmas in different countries of the world - a photo of the "Brazilian" celebration will help you to make sure that this is really a bright and memorable event.

Residents of the South American state are necessarily gathered by the whole family at the table on the eve of the holiday, which can not do without the presence of the national Santa Claus, who is called Pai Natal.

Germany

Do not know how to celebrate Christmas in different countries? The photo of the "Germanic" holiday shows that even with the time of the Middle Ages, every German family that did not differ in prosperity, specially bought candles to light them on this "bright" holiday, and on weekdays they burned-was an inadmissible luxury. Of course, today garlands and electric candlesticks are offered as a decoration in a wide range, but the Germans are a conservative people, so no Christmas can do without the old candelabras and wreaths with four candles, each of which is a symbol of Advent Sunday (the preparatory stage of the holiday) . Four weeks before the birth of Christ, the first candle is lighted, for three - the second candle, for the two - the third candle, and on the last Sunday the wreath is decorated with four burning candles. There is also the tradition of installing a small model of nurseries near the dwelling, where the little Jesus was laid down.

The Germans go to church service on Christmas Eve, after which a festive dinner is arranged, on which the main treat is a roast goose. During the Christmas period in Germany, it is customary to visit each other.

Finland

Want to know how to celebrate Christmas in different countries, in particular Finland? They prepare for him here in advance. On Christmas Eve, there are mandatory evenings, initiated by women's charitable organizations ("pikkuyoulu"). They are made to make holiday decorations, which are then put up for sale in markets and fairs. The streets and avenues are decorated with colorful garlands, and as for the Christmas tree, its Finns dress up shortly before the Christmas Eve. As decorations are widely used "himmeli" - a suspension, made from straw in the form of geometric shapes. Of course, people in Finland on Christmas Eve go to the sauna, and in the evening they go to the service in the church. On this holiday it is also customary to visit burial places and decorate the graves of their relatives and friends with fir branches and candles. On Christmas, the Finnish Santa Claus, whose name is "Joulupukki" always goes to every house to congratulate children on the birth of "the son of God." Kids in this holiday are dressed in a long cap and red panties.

Belgium

Brightly and spectacularly Christmas is celebrated in Belgium.

The local Father Frost, in the role of which Saint Nicholas performs, rides on a white horse accompanied by his subject Black Peter and presents children with presents, but for naughty kids he stores rods. At the same time, children receive gifts not only from Santa, but also from their parents who put them in socks hung directly above the fireplace. However, toys are found under the Christmas tree. Christmas breakfast can not do without a piece of sweet bread, made in the form of a small Jesus.

Austria

The Austrians prefer to decorate the Christmas tree not only with toy ornaments and garlands, but also with marzipan and chocolate. Everyone wears elegant costumes for Christmas and does not close their doors to the castle, expecting that someone will come to visit. And, of course, the crown dish on the Austrian table is baked carp.

Conclusion

Of course, Christmas in different countries of the world is different in celebration. However, there are common traditions that are unobservedly observed in many countries, namely: decorating a Christmas tree, meeting guests, feasting, singing and dancing - all this unites and unites people together.