By Sophie VAN DEN BERGE (LUX-S7NLA)
Edited by Julia DEC (MAM-S5ENC)
Christmas is one of the few holidays celebrated in nearly every country, but no celebration is quite the same. Each country adds its own customs, flavors, and stories, adding its own twist to Christmas. Christmas has a magical way of bringing people together, but how we celebrate it depends on where we are from.
Luxembourg
Living in a multicultural country like Luxembourg is the perfect chance to see all the different ways people celebrate Christmas, but does Luxembourg have its own unique celebrations as well? Yes, Luxembourg definitely has its own unique Christmas, with its cozy market, ice skating rink, and plenty more festivities. Through these attractions, Luxembourg creates its own special holiday. Numerous processions, cribs, illuminated streets, decorated shops, concerts, and other events create a magical atmosphere throughout the country. Luxembourg City, for example, sets a wintry vibe with its ‘Winterlights’ festival, providing a unifying theme for a whole series of advent: a parade, public concerts, exhibitions and a variety of other events. Luxembourgish Christmas stands out for its cozy, family-oriented traditions and its multicultural influences.
United States, a mixture of different traditions
In the US, most Americans combine religious and secular customs with their own family traditions, often incorporating food, decorations, and rituals from places them or their ancestors once called home. Roast turkey and ham are popular for Christmas dinner throughout the country. Depending on the state, tamales or roast goose with red cabbage are similarly enjoyed. Besides the food and gifts, Christmas for Americans is also a period of general goodwill and an occasion for volunteer work.
Phillipines, the longest Christmas season
In the Philippines, they stretch the Christmas cheer the longest, with celebrations beginning as early as September. The festivity continues to the first Sunday of January when Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings is celebrated. Most Filipinos are Christian with about 80% of the population being Catholic – making it the leading Christian Asian country. Because of this, Christmas is the most important holiday in the Philippines. The country’s merry customs are a mixture of western and native Filipino traditions; they have Santa Claus, Christmas trees, cards, and carols and ‘parol’ (bamboo pole or frame with a lit lantern on it) and Noche Buena (midnight feast) as their own traditions.
Santa’s official home: Finland
Festive Finnish traditions include the Christmas sauna and preparations for Christmas dinner. The sauna serves as a cleanser of their bodies and minds, embracing a sense of inner peace. The highlight of the Christmas evening is when Santa knocks on the door and asks, “Are there any well-behaved children here?”. Naturally, every home contains only good children, and they all receive presents. Finland is also known as the official home country of Santa Claus or “Joulupukki”. Visitors from all over the world go to Rovaniemi in Lapland to meet Santa and his reindeer.
Mexico; Las Posadas
In Mexico, Las Posadas take place from the 16th until the 24th of December. Las Posadas are nine processions, representing the nine months Mary was pregnant. People decorate the outside of their houses illuminating the way for posadas, representing ‘lighting the way’ for somewhere for Mary and Joseph to stay. Children are given candles and a board painted with clay figures of Mary and Jospeh riding a donkey to strut through the streets and sing a song at each home. The festivities for Christmas extend to January 6th (Epiphany), when children receive gifts from the Three Wise Men, keeping the holiday spirit alive well into the new year.
Australia, Christmas in the sun
On the other side of the world, Christmas means summer fun. In Australia, kids open their Christmas gifts at the beach. The holiday is celebrated with barbecues, picnics, and trips to the sea. Many community events are held in parks and open-air venues, like Carols by Candlelight. People gather to sing classic Christmas songs, creating the perfect jolly atmosphere. The day after Christmas is a major event in Australia, known as Boxing Day. It is celebrated with sport events like the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and cricket matches, as well as post-Christmas sales.
Christmas is a celebration that transcends borders, from the snowy landscapes of Finland to the sunny beaches of Australia. Each country adds its own unique flair to the holiday. These diverse traditions remind us that even though each country celebrates Christmas differently, the main universal goal of the holiday is connection, togetherness, and kindness.