Christmas Isn't Just Music, Cookies, and Sweaters

By Matt Billings
The sound of easy listening Christmas music, the smell of gingerbread cookies, the feeling of semi-itchy sweaters, all of these are synonymous with Christmas traditions in America, and lest we forget, good ol’ Santa bringing us some well deserved gifts via the fireplace. What else, though, do people do during this beloved holiday season? Every continent and almost every single country has its own way of celebrating Christmas.

Let’s first take a look at the Christmas traditions in Europe to get a better idea of why we Americans do Christmas things the way we do.  One of the many interesting traditions in Europe includes the ever fun Dutch Christmas traditions, when The beloved “Sinterklaas” who comes all the from Spain to bring bags of toys to the children’s doorsteps, after this occurs, bands plays and everyone floods into the streets for more Christmas celebrations such as live music. In Germany, “Christmas Markets” are the thing to visit during the holiday season. Things such as candles, wooden trinkets, and pastries are sold in Markets there, these markets are long standing traditions and differ widely depending on the region visited. Perhaps the busiest of all places to visit during the December holiday season is London. In London there is a wide variety of Christmas themed theatre productions, as well as infinite street decorations and Christmas lights.

South America is home to many age old Christmas traditions that are somewhat similar to what we are used to here in the U.S., but in some ways different. In places like Bolivia and Brazil, The main focus of this holiday is a nativity scene which most people have in their homes. Plays and interpretations of the of Jesus Christ are reenacted through plays throughout the entire continent. La Posadas, the remarkable buildup to Christmas Eve, is a particularly delightful tradition originating in Mexico. Starting on December 16th, it commemorates Mary and Joseph's travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. After dark on every night of the "Posada," two children lead a procession, carrying a small pine-decorated platform bearing replicas of Joseph and Mary riding a burro, or donkey. Others follow the children, all holding long, slim, lit candles, singing the "Litany of the Virgin" as they approach the door of a household chosen for that night's 'Posada'. Chanting a traditional old song, they awaken the home's head to ask for lodging for Mary. The household occupants traditionally threaten the guests to leave, but they continue their pleads for admittance. When the household realizes who they is speaking with, they eagerly welcome them and invite them in. All the participants then kneel around the "Nacimiento," the manger scene, and offer songs of welcome, Ave Marias, and a prayer.

There are countless traditions acknowledged for this interesting holiday, the favorite of many. In short, the same holiday is celebrated in many different ways throughout the world, and one very important aspect of being a citizen of the world is understanding how peoples of different cultures live and do things, and what better way to start then to learn through the power of holiday cheer?