Christmas traditions around the world
By David Tilson

Christmas is fast approaching and we will soon be surrounded by all our loved ones to reminisce and to enjoy longestablished traditions.

Some of us will enjoy a moving Christmas service at our local church on Christmas Eve, while others will enjoy caroling from door-to-door in our communities, and of course, we all look forward to the scrumptious turkey dinner. I would like to use this week’s journal to highlight just a few of the many Christmas traditions that are enjoyed around the world that illustrate the magic of this wonderful season.

In Italy, the Christmas season lasts for three weeks, starting eight days before Christmas known as the Novena. During this period, children go from house to house, reciting Christmas poems and singing merrily. In some parts of the country, shepherds bring musical instruments into the villages, as well as play and sing Christmas songs. A strict feast is observed for 24 hours before Christmas Eve and is followed by a celebration meal, in which a light Milanese cake called panettone, is enjoyed, as well as chocolate. Presents and empty boxes, are drawn from the Urn of Fate, which always contains one gift per person. By twilight, candles are lighted around the family crib, known as the Presepio, where prayers are said and children recite poems.

In Russia, a traditional Christmas is marked by fasting, sometimes for 39 days, until Jan. 6, as well as special prayers. Following this, is a 12-course supper in honour of each of the 12 Apostles. The supper includes fish, beet soup or borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit, and much more. Hay is also spread on the floors and tables, to encourage horse feed to grow in the coming year and Russians make clucking noises to encourage their hens to lay eggs.

On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung and people gather in churches, which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and coloured lights.

Christmas in Brazil is a culmination of many Christmas customs, due to the country’s many cultural groups and unique heritage. One tradition is to create a nativity scene or a Presépio, which means the bed of straw upon which Jesus slept in Bethlehem. The Presépio is common in northeastern Brazil. Nowadays, Presépios are set up in December and displayed in churches, homes, and stores. Papai Noel or Father Noel is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to legend, he lives in Greenland and when he arrives in Brazil, he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat. A huge Christmas dinner is included in the celebrations, which typically includes turkey, ham, coloured rice, vegetables, and fruit dishes.

In Australia, Christmas is often very hot, as Australians are experiencing their summer season. Some Australians celebrate the day at the local beach and have a picnic or if they’re celebrating at home, the day is marked with a dip in the pool or cricket in the backyard. Christmas dinner usually includes a turkey dinner, featuring ham and pork, as well as a flaming Christmas pudding. During Australian gold rushes, Christmas puddings often contained a gold nugget. Today, a small favour is baked inside the pudding

and whoever finds it, is bestowed with good luck. Whatever your Christmas traditions may be, I hope you enjoy them thoroughly this Christmas. I also wish you and your family a safe, festive, and joyous holiday season filled with joy.