The countries that celebrate Christmas

Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus This festival was created by the Pope to remove Christianity and pagan festivals celebrating the promotion of the winter solstice.

During the fourth century, the Pope decided on Christmas Day December 25.

This day has always been the exchange of religious ceremonies and gifts and greetings represented.

Here are some Christmas symbols:

* Advent is acandle each Sunday four weeks before December 24, symbolizing the rebirth of light after the winter solstice.

* The December 24 Midnight Mass, celebrating the birth of Jesus'.

* The Nativity, the building symbolizes the birth of Jesus in Christian.

* The Christmas tree, a symbol of pagan celebration and representing life.

* The Yule log, the log that we put in the fireplace for heat is December 24Eve.

* Santa Claus, an American institution, celebrated by the Christian Saint Nicholas (in Belgium, the Netherlands suggested that the German and Alsace). This character wears a red cape luxury, has a long white beard and wears a red miter, he also holds a pastoral golden. St. Nicholas rewards good children while his companion Pere Fouettard / Black Peter punishes naughty children), and the elf Yule Goat celebrated in Scandinavian countries.

Over the centuries, Christmasdeveloped and December 24 Christmas Eve with our family replaced the religious ceremonies.

The exchange of gifts: the luxury for the rich and useful - sometimes only one orange - for the poor has been replaced by modern marketing. People do not buy only gifts but also spend a lot of money on decorations, food, drinks ...

The secularization of our society removed the true meaning of Christmas, which of course is always a pagan festival.

Here are someThe countries that celebrate Christmas:

Belgium:

We have a festival devoted mainly to children, Saint Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) is December 6. The great patron of students, which is supposed to bring candies in their shoes, toys that brings thousands to our children.

In Belgium, Christmas is rather reserved for adults: the streets are decorated and illuminated, we decorate our homes, windows, gardens, trees. Belgium seems to forget that this is aCatholic country and closes more and more churches, then midnight mass on December 24 is usually 6 or 8 clock. We eat with our family and then by 12 clock we exchange our gifts. Children in general, you get a book or clothes.

Christmas has little meaning but practicing Catholic church go. Belgium people visit their family during the January 1. In the Belgian Ardennes, people celebrate December 31.

France:

Christmas is for kids. Roadsand houses are decorated for several weeks in advance. The French have many customs of Christmas markets, Christmas tree, Christmas dinner, Pere Noel, gifts, stories, songs, Turkey, the Christmas Crib, the Yule log, and so on. In Alsace, but predominates on Santa Claus Santa Claus.

Netherlands:

To organize the St. Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) festival: the old bearded man with the boat on the road accompanied by many blacks and AIDS,distribution of gifts to good children. Dutch keep us the great gifts for the time kerstmis because of profit for some great opportunities for Sinterklaas.

Germany:

Wine HMake in Germany lasts two days. On December 26, visit their families and their friends. Christ-child gives gifts to children of families on 24 December and friends. Germany has also a celebration of St. Nicholas, December 6.

United Kingdom:

This festival is celebrated in EnglandEnthusiasm. The children sing songs in the streets, they eat the famous "Xmas Pudding" at the end of their family dinner, Dec. 25. In England, Santa Claus fills the English children socks with gifts. Britons also the exchange of greetings, which are a British creation.

Spain:

If Santa Claus has little importance in Spain (Magi distribute gifts to children on January 6th), the Spanish people, the streets with lights during the month of December to decorate. The windows of shopsare filled with many gifts and celebrate Navidad Spanish evening with his family.

Portugal:

Christmas Eve is a holiday. The Portuguese participation in the Midnight Mass, the Missa do Galo. If there is no Christmas tree in Portugal, there is still a "wood Natal.

Italy:

Christmas lasts three days, from December 24 to 26. However, traditions vary from one region in a different Christmas and, depending on the region is Babo Natale(Santa Claus) or "Baby Jesus" (Little Jesus) brings gifts on December 25. Italian Christmas dessert is "Panettone".

Scandinavian countries:

During Christmas dinner, Scandinavian people reserve a place for the souls of deceased members of his family. Once finished eating, reading the Bible. The whole family is singing Christmas carols and dancing around the Christmas tree.

Other European countriesCountry:

In Romania, December 24 there is a candle of Christmas until the morning of Dec. 25. In Russia, Christmas Day is Jan. 7, according to the Orthodox calendar. In Greece the Christmas season begins on Christmas Eve and ends on Epiphany. Christmas is less important than Easter.

USA:

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa Claus is coming to Cart announce the start of the holiday season Season. Americans love to celebrate Christmas and the establishment of a decorated Christmas tree in their home. Children hang empty stocks empty on the fireplace on Christmas morning and find them full of candy and small toys.

Canada:

Houses, shops and streets are decorated with lights. Canadian people decorate their house with a Christmas tree, wrapped in Christmas, a Christmas crib ... After the "Midnight Mass" people have a> Eve with his family. Turkey and Christmas log are the essential ingredients of a Canadian Christmas Dinner. Send greeting cards to friends and family who live far away.

South America:

Peruvian people have Christmas parties but also learn to better live the Christmas period. Their Christmas season lasts a full week. Mexican men celebrating Christmas with Las Posadas (pilgrimages representing the way throughMary and Joseph). Celebrate the last Posada on Christmas morning and then start the Christmas dinner. I Guatemala, immigrants imported their customs and tree German Christmas time is important, but the Christmas gifts are reserved for children to open the file. gift exchange for adults is 1 January.

Australia:

Christmas happens during the summer months, so Australian people celebrate Christmas on the beach. People eat cold turkeyPudding.

New Zealand:

If ornaments, New Zealand people organize Christmas parades and people sing in some parks. They also organize their famous "Christmas Grill.

Japan:

Christmas is only economic importance in Japan. This festival represents Saint Nicholas, is a time to offer gifts to small children.

China:

If Christmas is not a party, Christmas is celebratedChinese cities. This festival was introduced in this country by foreign missionaries. For the Chinese, who celebrates Christmas is a religious event.