Christmas is an international holiday that is celebrated around the world in a variety of different ways and fashions. Depending on where you are at in the world at the time, you will see a number of different Christmas activities, stories and symbols.
Christmas in the United States is based on many of the European traditions of Christmas. However, because of the various cultures and influences in the country there are some differences as well. One of the main holiday traditions celebrated in the USA is the Christmas stories surrounding Santa Claus
One major component of Christmas celebrations in America is the Christmas stories of Santa Claus. Santa Claus is widely celebrated and promoted during the holiday season. Charities dress workers up in Santa Claus outfits to raise funds during the holidays. Santa Claus appears on television and in advertising campaigns. Kids can even go to the mall to see Santa Claus and take pictures with him.
The citizens of Australia get to celebrate Christmas in the summertime. Instead of visions of snowy days and cold wintery nights, their Christmas days are filled with fun in the sun, picnics in the park and even swimming and playing on the beach.
Religious worship is a major piece of the Christmas holiday in Australia. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic or Protestant so church plays a major role in the celebration of the holiday. Most churches have a midnight mass that you can attend and many families go to church together.
On the other hand, in Japan Christmas is not a religious holiday at all. Remember, the large majority of the Japanese population are not Christians. Despite this, the Christmas holiday is still celebrated, more for its commercial aspects than its religious aspects.
December 25th is not an official holiday in Japan. Despite this, many Japanese citizens celebrate Christmas in a fashion anyway. One of the most common Christmas dinner activities in Japan is to order a Christmas Chicken Dinner from the fast food franchise, Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Like Japan, China also has a very small population of citizens that profess Christianity. However, also like the Japanese they still celebrate Christmas anyway. The Chinese embrace the Santa Claus concept. In China, his name means "Christmas Old Man."
In China, Christmas is more of a prelude to their major celebration, which is the Chinese New Year. However, the Chinese still appreciate the commercial aspects of the holiday and engage in many of the same activities that other countries do, like decorating their homes and sending out Christmas cards with Christmas symbols.
The people of France celebrate Christmas very similar to the Americans. One thing they do not do though is decorate Christmas trees. Instead, they spend more of their time creating Christmas stories out of their yards by creating massive displays of characters and ornaments.
What's interesting with the French displays is that they not only incorporate Christmas themes but they also incorporate modern themes as well. It's not uncommon to see a scene with Mary standing next to a modern day French dignitary.
There are a wide variety of ways that Christmas around the world is celebrated. Depending on where you go in the world you will see many different holiday traditions. Christmas is a very popular holiday throughout the world and is one of the most widely celebrated traditions in the world today both by Christians and non Christians.
Christmas in the United States is based on many of the European traditions of Christmas. However, because of the various cultures and influences in the country there are some differences as well. One of the main holiday traditions celebrated in the USA is the Christmas stories surrounding Santa Claus
One major component of Christmas celebrations in America is the Christmas stories of Santa Claus. Santa Claus is widely celebrated and promoted during the holiday season. Charities dress workers up in Santa Claus outfits to raise funds during the holidays. Santa Claus appears on television and in advertising campaigns. Kids can even go to the mall to see Santa Claus and take pictures with him.
The citizens of Australia get to celebrate Christmas in the summertime. Instead of visions of snowy days and cold wintery nights, their Christmas days are filled with fun in the sun, picnics in the park and even swimming and playing on the beach.
Religious worship is a major piece of the Christmas holiday in Australia. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic or Protestant so church plays a major role in the celebration of the holiday. Most churches have a midnight mass that you can attend and many families go to church together.
On the other hand, in Japan Christmas is not a religious holiday at all. Remember, the large majority of the Japanese population are not Christians. Despite this, the Christmas holiday is still celebrated, more for its commercial aspects than its religious aspects.
December 25th is not an official holiday in Japan. Despite this, many Japanese citizens celebrate Christmas in a fashion anyway. One of the most common Christmas dinner activities in Japan is to order a Christmas Chicken Dinner from the fast food franchise, Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Like Japan, China also has a very small population of citizens that profess Christianity. However, also like the Japanese they still celebrate Christmas anyway. The Chinese embrace the Santa Claus concept. In China, his name means "Christmas Old Man."
In China, Christmas is more of a prelude to their major celebration, which is the Chinese New Year. However, the Chinese still appreciate the commercial aspects of the holiday and engage in many of the same activities that other countries do, like decorating their homes and sending out Christmas cards with Christmas symbols.
The people of France celebrate Christmas very similar to the Americans. One thing they do not do though is decorate Christmas trees. Instead, they spend more of their time creating Christmas stories out of their yards by creating massive displays of characters and ornaments.
What's interesting with the French displays is that they not only incorporate Christmas themes but they also incorporate modern themes as well. It's not uncommon to see a scene with Mary standing next to a modern day French dignitary.
There are a wide variety of ways that Christmas around the world is celebrated. Depending on where you go in the world you will see many different holiday traditions. Christmas is a very popular holiday throughout the world and is one of the most widely celebrated traditions in the world today both by Christians and non Christians.
About the Author:
Kerry Beck gives free advent calendars with daily Christmas activities to prepare your family for Christmas. Your family will learn more about holiday traditions with many of the daily activities.
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