| Christmas in North America: | | | | shape of boats or houses. Every country has |
| In the United States and Canada, many elements | | | | their own unique celebrations no matter how small |
| of modern Christmas celebrations did not emerge | | | | their Christian population. |
| until the 19th century. Before then Christmas had | | | | Christmas Decorations: |
| been an ordinary workday in many communities, | | | | Decorating shop fronts, mango trees, churches |
| particularly in New England, where early Puritan | | | | and homes is common throughout African |
| objections to Christmas celebrations remained | | | | Christian communities. There are some reports of |
| highly influential. Among some groups, Christmas | | | | fake snow decorating store fronts in Nairobi, palm |
| was an especially animated event, characterized | | | | trees laden with candles in Ghana or oil palms |
| by huge feasts, drunkenness, and raucous public | | | | loaded with bells in Liberia. |
| partying. In an English tradition that survived in | | | | Christmas in East Asia: |
| some parts of North America, Christmas revelers | | | | The eastern part of Asia comprises mainly of |
| would dress in costume and progress from door | | | | China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and |
| to door to receive gifts of food and drink. Most | | | | Vietnam. Christians in eastern part of Asia, which |
| holiday gifts were limited to small amounts of | | | | are China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea & |
| money and modest presents passed from the | | | | Vietnam celebrate Christmas on 25th December |
| wealthy to the poor and from masters to their | | | | by lighting their houses with beautiful paper |
| servants. Families almost never exchanged | | | | lanterns and decorating their Christmas trees, |
| Christmas gifts among themselves. | | | | which they call "Trees of Light," with paper chains, |
| Christmas in Africa: | | | | paper flowers, and paper lanterns. Chinese Children |
| Christmas is celebrated throughout the African | | | | hang muslin stockings and await a visit from |
| continent by Christian communities both large and | | | | Santa Claus, whom they call Dun Che Lao Ren |
| small. There are roughly 350 million Christians in | | | | (dwyn-chuh-lau-oh-run) which means "Christmas |
| Africa. Christmas Carols are sung from the Congo | | | | Old Man." |
| to South Africa. On Christmas day, meats are | | | | There is no official celebration of Christmas in |
| roasted, gifts are exchanged and family visits | | | | Japan because less than one percent of the |
| made. The Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Egypt | | | | Japanese population is Christian. But wherever |
| celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January (rather | | | | Christmas is celebrated, the trees are decorated |
| than the 25th of December) because they follow | | | | with small toys, dolls, ornaments, gold paper fans, |
| a different calendar. | | | | lanterns, and even wind chimes. Candles are also |
| Gift Giving: | | | | placed on the branches. One of the most popular |
| People who are well-off generally buy gifts for | | | | ornaments is the origami swan. |
| family & friends but the holiday is not as | | | | Every Korean church would have some kind of |
| commercial as it is American & European | | | | Christmas music program on Christmas day. |
| countries, because main emphasis is more on the | | | | Koreans also love to decorate for Christmas; |
| religious part of celebrating the birth of Jesus | | | | every coffee shop is decorated for the season. |
| Christ than gift giving. Usually & most importantly, | | | | Christmas day is spent shopping and most of the |
| Christians buy a new set of clothes to be worn | | | | Korean families spending the day together going |
| to the church service. Majority of African | | | | from shop to shop just "eye shopping". |
| Christians are too poor to be able to afford | | | | Christmas in India: |
| presents for their children & there aren't too | | | | Christian community in India celebrates Christmas |
| many toy stores in rural Africa to shop at | | | | with splendor, fun and devotion. Celebrations of |
| anyway. If gifts have to be exchanged in poorer | | | | the festival begin on the eve of Christmas on |
| communities they usually come in the form of | | | | 24th of December and continue till New Year's |
| school books, soap, cloth, candles and other | | | | Day. Christians across the country remember |
| practical goods. | | | | birth of Lord Jesus Christ by participating in special |
| Christmas Dinner: | | | | masses organized in churches. Celebrations of |
| As in most Christian cultures, celebrating | | | | Christmas are marked by carols, cakes, candles |
| Christmas dinner with friends and family is the | | | | and decoration of Christmas Tree. In several |
| second priority after attending church. Since | | | | parts of India, especially in metropolitan cities like |
| Christmas is a public holiday in most countries | | | | Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, Christmas |
| people take the opportunity to visit friends and | | | | Festival has assumed as one of important holidays |
| family. In East Africa goats are sold out at a blink | | | | of India and is joyfully celebrated by people of all |
| of an eye at the local markets and roasted on | | | | religions and communities join their Christian |
| Christmas day. In South Africa the sun is hot and | | | | friends to make the most of the joyous |
| the beaches are full of families enjoying braais | | | | celebrations. |
| (barbeques) or traditional Christmas dinners with | | | | Preparations for Christmas in India: |
| paper hats, mince pies, turkey and plum pudding | | | | In Christian homes, preparations for Christmas |
| (a vestige of the British colonial legacy.) In Ghana | | | | begin at least a month in advance. People get |
| Christmas dinner is not complete without fufu and | | | | their homes whitewashed and involve in spring |
| okra soup and in Liberia rice, beef and biscuits are | | | | cleaning of the house to give it a fresh new look. |
| the order of the day. Zimbabweans make sure | | | | The women Ladies start preparations for the |
| there are plenty of bread, jam and tea to eat | | | | traditional Christmas cake which is anxiously |
| along with their goat meat. | | | | awaited not just by the entire family but also by |
| Church Services and Caroling: | | | | the neighbors. Shopping activity takes place as |
| The history of Christianity in Africa dates back to | | | | everyone buys new clothes for the festival. |
| the 1st Century AD. Every missionary have heard | | | | Christmas Gifts are also bought for friends, |
| & witnessed that Africans are very spiritual | | | | relatives and kids in the family. Christmas is also |
| people. (Besides Christianity, the other main | | | | the time for family reunions because people |
| religions are Islam and indigenous beliefs). Going to | | | | staying in different cities for job or higher studies |
| church is generally the main focus of Christmas | | | | come back to their homes to celebrate this |
| celebrations in Africa. Nativity scenes are played | | | | festive season with their near & dear ones. |
| out, carols are sung and in some cases dances | | | | Christmas in Goa: |
| are performed. | | | | Most exciting celebration of Christmas can be |
| One of my earliest Christmas memories in Malawi | | | | seen in the vivacious state of Goa. A large |
| is watching groups of young children go door to | | | | number of domestic and international tourists |
| door to perform dances and Christmas songs | | | | flock to the beaches Goa during Christmas |
| dressed in skirts made of leaves and using | | | | festival to watch Goa at its cultural best. One can |
| home-made instruments. They received a small | | | | also get amused in the best of Goa music and |
| gift of money in return. In many countries the | | | | dance during Christmas festivities. Catholics in Goa |
| processions after the Christmas Eve church | | | | participate in the traditional midnight mass services |
| service is a joyous occasion of music and dance. | | | | locally called Missa de Galo or Cock Crow as they |
| In the Gambia for example, people parade with | | | | go on well into early hours of the morning. |
| large intricately made lanterns called fanals in the | | | | |