The Christmas Season: How does the world celebrate?
By Bethany Lam
It's the Christmas season, the time of year when everyone around the world celebrates, whether by going to church or by baking gingerbread cookies. But did you know that Japan celebrates Christmas by eating KFC? Or that Christmas in Australia means barbecuing on the beach?
Fundamentally, Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and how He gave the world hope, peace, love, and joy. Christians all over the world come together to sing and remind everyone of the gift Jesus Christ gave. However, over the decades, Christmas has been adapted and modified by culture and history. Read on to find out more!
In Hong Kong, Christmas is celebrated in a mix of Western and Chinese traditions. Big malls will decorate every railing and have a big Christmas display in the middle; for instance, every year in Festival Walk, a big Christmas display takes pride of place at the mall’s center. In countryside areas like Discovery Bay, people will set up Christmas Markets, where dozens of stalls are filled with carefully crafted gifts or delicious treats.
The 2024 Christmas Display at Festival Walk
About 2.74 million HK people travel every December, maybe to Japan or to Australia, or perhaps to America. But what do the people there do to celebrate Christmas locally?
Japan: Christmas was not celebrated until recently. Instead of seeing Christmas as a religious holiday, they use the time to eat KFC with loved ones. Ordering American fast-food is how the Japanese do Christmas.
Australia: Being a continent in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas means barbecuing on the beach and playing cricket in the sun. Many Australians also spend the day going to church services.
Austria: Everyone knows who Santa is: the jolly fat man who comes to reward the good kids. Well, in Austria, Santa is recognized - but so is the half-man, half-goat monster who comes to kidnap naughty kids. You better watch out!
Greece: For many, Christmas traditions include decorating trees. But in Greece, it also means decorating boats! Having the longest coastline in all of Europe means having more opportunity to light up the country.
Ukraine: When decorating homes for Christmas parties, tinsel and wreaths are expected - definitely not spider webs and other spooky decorations. But that's how Ukrainians celebrate, because it represents good luck!
Iceland: Similar to Santa, the Yule Lads are 13 trolls who either reward or punish children depending on if they were good or naughty. If you were good, gifts are placed into 13 shoes belonging to the children, but if you were bad, they would eat you!
Poland: On the 24th of December, Polish people commemorate the Star of Bethlehem by eating a vigil supper called the wigilia. It contains 12 courses to represent the 12 Apostles
Greenland: Greenland, the place that you’d expect a postcard would show. Real Christmas trees ordered from Europe are lit up on the first Sunday of Advent (30 November), while schools have parades with students dressed in white.
Philippines: In most places, Christmas holidays start from the end of November to the beginning of January. But in the Philippines, it can start from September all the way to January!
Mexico: Did you know there was something called The Night of the Radishes? Yep, every 23rd of December, Mexicans create statues and art out of oversized radishes! Originally, it was to attract customers, but now it is engraved in their tradition.
Christmas is celebrated all over the world, whether by decorating boats or eating a 12-course meal. Everyone recognizes this season, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. However people celebrate Christmas, the message is: Christmastime is a holiday for family, joy, and love. So, as you celebrate Christmas this year, observe what your family does every December, and how you build your traditions.