Christmas is one of the important Christian festivals, celebrated with great
fanfare around the world. The day, which is observed on 25 December, is
celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. It is a holiday season
in many countries of the world, where Christianity is the predominant religion.
While the festival is celebrated with enthusiasm worldwide, the customs and
traditions associated with it vary from one country to the other. This is
largely because of the difference in lifestyle and culture. The rituals you find
in the western countries would be in total contrast with those, found in
European countries.
Celebrations of Christmas begin a month prior to the festival. In many parts of
the world, people celebrate the Advent, which starts four weeks prior to the day
of Christmas. The Western World largely associates Christmas with Santa Claus,
exchange of gifts, family get together and parties. On the other hand, there are
many countries in other parts of the world, wherein people observe the festival
with religious fervor. For them, the occasion is all about Jesus and his
preaching. In both the cases, the houses and the Christmas tree are decorated
beautifully with festoons and special prayers are conducted at churches during
the Midnight of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check out all about the
celebrations of Christmas around the world, in our related section.
Christmas In Australia
When countries in the northern hemisphere celebrate Christmas during chilly
winters, the festival is celebrated during hot sunny days, in Australia, because
the country is located is southern hemisphere - where summers are from December
21 to March 21 and winters are from June 21 to September 21.
Christmas In Canada
Christmas is celebrated with great fanfare across Canada. Here, the festival is
not merely a private affair. The ceremonious occasion took the shape of a
community festival in the 19th century and since then, it is observed with great
enthusiasm by the natives of the country. It is the time to spread good cheers,
enjoy the holidays with loved ones, invoke Lord Jesus Christ through carols and
songs and seek his blessings.
Christmas in India
Christmas in India may not be as widespread affair as in some western country
but in India, this festival is celebrated by the Christian community across the
country with great zeal and gaiety. It is a public Holiday and is also
officially celebrated by the President of India at his residence. All the top
notch officials of Government of India offer good wishes to the people on the
occasion via media.
Christmas In Russia
Christmas in Russia is celebrated in a unique way, which is different from the
rest of the world. Eastern Orthodox Christians form the majority of Christian
population in the country. Even today, they follow the old Julian calendar to
commemorate different festivals, including Christmas. This is the reason why the
festival is celebrated 13 days after Christmas Day (December 25) - the Russian
Orthodox Christmas is observed on January 7, every year.
Christmas In Switzerland
Christmas is one of the most blissful occasions in Switzerland. The celebrations
of the festival in the European country are not very much different from those
seen in other nations of the continent. One can see the same degree of
merriment, including family gatherings on Christmas Eve and church services on
the following day.
Christmas in England
Christmas is popular festival in England. The origin of this festival in this
country can be traced back to the 596 AD, when St Augustine landed on the shores
of this country along with some monks who intended to spread Christianity among
the residents of this place. As soon as the people of this land became familiar
with the religion, the celebrations of Christmas became an annual phenomenon.
Christmas in USA
Christmas is one of the major festivals of United States and celebrated with
great enthusiasm and fervor throughout the country. The cosmopolitan society of
United States celebrated this holiday season in several unique ways. The
traditions and rituals do not only vary from state to state but also from one
home to another. |
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