The story of Christmas around the world.FROM NORTH, South, East and West, there are more fiefs Fiefs may refer to:
Syria The gates of the homes of Syrian Christians are locked on Christmas Eve, commemorating persecutions of the past, when worship had to be held in secret. Family members carry a lit candle and stand around an unlit bonfire in their yard. The youngest member reads the Christmas story, and the bonfire is lit, after which hymns are sung and everyone steps on the dying embers to make a wish. Another bonfire is lit in the middle of church floor on Christmas morning and ancient hymns are sung as the celebrant of the Eucharist carries a figure of the infant Jesus around the room. The celebrant touches the nearest person in a sign of peace that is passed from one to another until everyone has received it. The traditional Christmas dinner Christmas dinner is the primary meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Day. It is often seen as the main event of the day for which the family all gathers and eats together. consists of roast chicken, nuts, dates, and pastries. There is more emphasis on prayer and communal gatherings among the five million Christians in this predominantly Sunni Muslim Noun 1. Sunni Muslim - a member of the branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors to Muhammad Sunni, Sunnite Sunni Islam, Sunni - one of the two main branches of orthodox Islam nation. Nonetheless, Syrian children receive gifts at Epiphany from the smallest camel of the Wise Men's caravan. Legend has it that when the Wise Men traveled to Bethlehem, it was the smallest camel who refused to give up the long journey and was most eager to see the Christ Child. The story emphasizes how the faith of the smallest and most vulnerable can, at times, be greater than most. Tanzania Joanne Chaytor is the first Volunteer in Mission from the diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador, province, Canada Newfoundland and Labrador (ny  `fənlənd, ny . She began working as an administrative assistant to the provincial secretary The Provincial Secretary was a senior position in the executive councils of British North America's colonial governments, and was retained by the Canadian provincial governments for at least a century after Canadian Confederation was proclaimed in 1867. in the office of the Anglican Church of Tanzania The Anglican Church of Tanzania (ACT) is a member of the Anglican Communion based in Dodoma. It consists of 21 dioceses (20 on the Tanzanian mainland, and 1 on Zanzibar) headed by their respective bishops. in Dodoma in September 2005. The following is an abridged version of her account, which appeared in her blog (Web log). "We did have a Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. . It was an artificial tree like those at home. It was much smaller and simpler than most of the ones at home but was nice and made me feel a little more at home. It was strange to have Christmas and not have any snow ... There is not a huge emphasis put on commercialism which I have to say I found to be a refreshing change. The big emphasis on Christmas for Tanzanians is a nice meal and being together with family and friends ... We had pilau (rice seasoned with chicken and vegetable broth), chicken, rice, sweet banana, beans, various vegetables made in sauce with meat and salads. There was soda and ice cream too ... " Zimbabwe A couple of days before Christmas, buses and cars are loaded with people leaving the city to go to big celebrations in rural areas. Preparations are a communal event: On Christmas Eve, men slaughter a cow and goat and the women clean and prepare the meat for the next day's festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . On Christmas morning, church is the first order of the day and children wear their new clothes. Traditional Christmas fare includes beef, goat and chicken stew Noun 1. chicken stew - a stew made with chicken fricassee - pieces of chicken or other meat stewed in gravy with e.g. carrots and onions and served with noodles or dumplings served with rice or sadza Sadza is the Shona language name for a cooked pulverized grain meal that is the staple food in Zimbabwe. Other names include isitshwala (Ndebele). This food is cooked widely in other countries of the region. (corn meal), vegetables and salads. After a hearty meal, grandparents grandparents npl → abuelos mpl grandparents grand npl → grands-parents mpl grandparents grand npl tell stories around the fire, ensuring that the country's oral tradition is passed on. Celebrations often go into wee hours. Colombia Christmas is ushered in by the lighting of scores of candles to outline the streets on the night of Dec. 7, the eve of the feast of the Immaculate Conception The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the Roman Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. History A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century (prior to the Great Schism of 1054). . A wish is made to the Virgin Mary for every candle lit. Medellin is easily the most beautiful city in Latin America in December, when its major thoroughfares, tourist attractions and even rivers are bathed in colourful lights. The annual spectacle, called Los Alumbrados (Festival of Lights), is impressive around the Rio Medellin, where large statues made of lights are found. Praying the rosary for nine days before Christmas and singing villancicos (Christmas carols) around the nativity scene are beloved traditions. The Christmas meal typically includes Ajiaco, a favourite soup in Colombia which contains chicken, corn, potatoes, sour cream, capers CAPERS. Vessels of war owned by private persons, and different from ordinary privateers (q.v.) only in size, being smaller. Bea. Lex. Mer. 230. , avocado, cilantro and guascas, an aromatic herb. Dinner may also include breads, roast pork, tamales (pork, rice and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves), and natillas, a cold, heavy custard with hints of cinnamon. When they wake up on Christmas morning, children find gifts at the foot of their beds from El Nino Jesus. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (trĭn`ĭdăd, təbā`gō), officially Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, republic (2005 est. pop. 1,088,000), 1,980 sq mi (5,129 sq km), West Indies. The capital is Port of Spain. Christmas here would not be complete without parang--indigenous carols with Spanish and Venezuelan influences. Paranderos (carolers) hop from one house to the next, singing songs that echo the spirit of the island: lively, joyful and infectious. They are often accompanied by a wide variety of musical instruments. The black fruit cake is prepared days (even weeks) in advance to ripen rip·en tr. & intr.v. rip·ened, rip·en·ing, rip·ens To make or become ripe or riper; mature. See Synonyms at mature. rip the flavours of dark Jamaica rum, currants, dried figs, prunes, angostura bitters, maraschino cherries and other ingredients. Drinks are likewise prepared in advance: plantain plantain (plăn`tĭn), any plant of the genus Plantago, chiefly annual or perennial weeds of wide distribution. Many species are lawn pests and the pollen is often a hay fever irritant. P. wine, ginger beer and ponche de creme (the Trinidadian version of eggnog). The Christmas meal can include chicken, turkey, ham, seafood, rice and calaloo (a Caribbean version of gumbo). Ireland The lighting of candles has a deep religious meaning in Ireland and is heightened during Christmas, when it symbolizes hospitality for the Holy Family. To light a candle To Light a Candle is the 2004 second fantasy novel of Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory's Obsidian Trilogy. Plot summary The struggle Continues against the Demons and introduces new heroes and enemies along the way. (or even holiday lights) is to say that there is room for Mary and Joseph in one's home, even though there was none in Bethlehem. The hospitality is extended to others at dinner-time, when extra plates are set on the table for unexpected visitors. Many decorate their doors with holly for the holidays and may not realize that this custom originated in Ireland. Christmas begins on Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and lasts until Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany. Familiar Christmas carols are still sung on the streets of some cities, by choirs big and small; street musicians play timeless Christmas classics on flutes, violins, harps and guitars. France French homes often display a creche or Nativity scene, a tradition that began as early as the 17th century. Some creches are elaborate - they include not just the Holy Family, Magi and shepherds, but also local dignitaries and characters. Creches can be bought at shops and at the annual Christmas fairs held throughout December in Marseilles and Aix. In Southern France, an ancient tradition of burning a log from Christmas Eve until New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. lives on. It is said that farmers then used part of the log to attract a good harvest for the year. Some people make a traditional log-shaped cake called the boche de Noel, or Christmas log. The log cake is served alongside many other pastries during Le Reveillon, a late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. This tradition started as a simple meal of biscuits and a hot drink but eventually evolved into a grand feast. The meals vary from region to region but are all equally lavish. It may include goose, turkey, oysters and foie gras, ham, fruit, sweets and wine. Before bedtime, children leave their shoes by the fireplace and wake to find them filled with gifts from Pere père n. 1. Used after a man's surname to distinguish a father from a son: Dumas père primarily wrote novels, while dramas occupied Dumas fils. 2. Noel. Philippines Most homes display a parol parol adj. oral. (See: parol evidence rule) PAROL. More properly parole. A French word, which means literally, word or speech. It is used to distinguish contracts which are made verbally or in writing not under seal, which are called, parol. outside their windows (usually a star-shaped lantern signifying the Star of Bethlehem Star of Bethlehem, in the Gospels Star of Bethlehem, name given to the luminous celestial object rising in the sky that, as related in the Gospel of Matthew, led the Wise Men of the East to the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. that can be made simply from bamboo sticks and colourful cellophane cellophane, thin, transparent sheet or tube of regenerated cellulose. Cellophane is used in packaging and as a membrane for dialysis. It is sometimes dyed and can be moisture-proofed by a thin coating of pyroxylin. or the more elaborate capiz shells). The daily pre-dawn mass (Simbang Gabi) begins Dec. 16 and ends with a midnight mass (Misa de Gallo) on Christmas Eve. Early risers are rewarded at the end of the church service with the joyful sight of festive food stalls in the churchyard that sell native delicacies. Most churches stage the Panunuluyan, a dramatization dram·a·ti·za·tion n. 1. The act or art of dramatizing: the dramatization of a novel. 2. A work adapted for dramatic presentation: of the Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem, on Christmas Eve. After midnight mass on Christmas Eve, families gather for the Noche Buena (midnight feast) and the opening of gifts. There is a great divide between the Noche Buena of the rich and the poor in this predominantly Roman Catholic country in Southeast Asia. While the rich can feast on as many as 20 dishes, including ham, lechon (whole roast pig), stuffed chicken, tiger prawns, imported fruits and chocolates, the poor often have to rely on the kindness of neighbours. Most, strive, however, to save for what is considered the most important feast of the year and commonly serve pancit (noodles noo·dle 1 n. A narrow, ribbonlike strip of dried dough, usually made of flour, eggs, and water. [German Nudel. ), embotido (stuffed ground pork) or morcon (rolled beef flanks) and leche flan (custard with caramel glaze). Sources http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.html http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-quotes.html http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/traditions/syria.htm http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/noel/angl/noel.htm http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/zimbabwe.shtml http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2600621.stm http://library2.nalis.gov.tt/Default.aspx?PageContentID=63&tabid=135 http://www.irishclans.com/articles/irish_christmas.html http://www.irelandnow.com/christmas.html http://www.escuelai.com/spanish_magazine/christmas_spain.html http://www.cambridgenews.co.uk/news/indepth/2005/christmas/articles/ aeaafdf6-141d4e72-9035-ea23efbc766b.lpf http://twilightbridge.com/festivals/christmas/middleeast.html The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, by Gerald Bowler, McClelland & Stewart Ltd., 2000. Turtle doves, Father Christmas, creches, trees and Nativity plays: take our Christmas quiz 1. How do you say Merry Christmas in Cree? a. Mele Kalikimaka b. Mitho Makosi Kesikansi c. Selamat Hari Natal 2. Julekake is a. A Norwegian sweet Christmas bread made with raisins. b. The Santa Claus figure of Denmark. c. A German drink traditionally served on Christmas day. 3. The quote, "Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day," came from a. Helen Steiner Rice Helen Steiner Rice (1900 - 1981) was an American writer of religious and inspirational poetry. Helen Steiner was born in Lorain, Ohio on May 21 1900. Her father, a railroad worker, died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. b. Lucy Maud Montgomery c. Isabella Valancy Crawford Isabella Valancy Crawford (25 December 1850 - 12 February 1887) was a Canadian poet. Born in Dublin, Ireland, one of twelve or thirteen children, she and her family emigrated to Canada in 1857. 4. Christmas at Moose Factory, an animated short film in 1971 about a child's view of winter life in Canada's North, was written and directed by a. David Cronenberg b. Alanis Obomsawin c. Atom Egoyan 5. In France, Christmas Eve is known as b. A magical night b. A night of miracles c. A night of peace 6. What does the turtle dove symbolize in Christian art? a. love b. freedom c. purity 7. Santa Claus or Father Christmas is known in much of the Middle East and among the Christians of Israel as a. Babbo Natale b. Babar c. Baba Noel 8. St. Francis of Assisi is believed to have created the first Nativity performance in Italy in a. about 1521 b. about 1223 c. about 1600 9. He is believed to be the first person to have brought a Christmas tree in his home. a. Martin Luther b. St. Syrus Ephraem c. King Henry VIII 10. The first Christmas greeting card, believed to have been designed by an artist named John. C. Horsly in England, appeared in the year a. 1850 b. 1843 c. 1900 Answers: 1b, 2a, 3a, 4b, 5b, 6c, 7c, 8b, 9a, 10b |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion