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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:19:02 GMT -5
Asia
Christmas is a state holiday in India, though only 3% of the population is actually Christian. The celebration by Christians is largely based on the American media depiction. Sincere devotees attend the church services. In many of the schools that are run by the Christian missionaries, the children actively participate in the programmes. This involves singing carols etc. Christmas is officially celebrated at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President of India. The celebrations continue and get mixed up with new year celebrations.
In India, most educational institutions have a mid-academic year vacation, sometimes called Christmas vacation, beginning shortly before Christmas and ending a few days after New Year's Day. Christmas is also known as bada din (the big day). The concept of Santa Claus is relatively new, and up until the mid '90s, Santa Claus was hardly popular. Due to the warm temperature it is difficult to Indianize his concept (however, see the section for the Philippines below). Commercialization and open markets is however bringing more secular-Christmas celebration to the public sphere, even though its is not celebrated religiously.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:19:23 GMT -5
Lebanon
Christmas is a state holiday in Lebanon, though 40% of the population is Christian. Even some Lebanese Muslims celebrate Christmas with Christian friends. Commercialization and open markets is however bringing a more secular celebration of Christmas to the public sphere, even though it is not celebrated religiously.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:20:28 GMT -5
Korea The new Cheonggyecheon river in Seoul, South Korea at ChristmastimeSouth Korea recognizes Christmas as a public holiday. Non-Christian Koreans otherwise go about their daily routine on December 25 but may engage in some holiday customs such as gift-giving, sending Christmas cards, and setting up decorated trees in their homes; children, especially, appear to have embraced Santa Claus, whom they call Santa Haraboji (Grandfather Santa) in Korean, Local radio stations play holiday music on Christmas Day and a few days before, while television stations are known to air Christmas films and cartoon specials popular in the Western countries. In addition, increasing numbers of stores and buildings are displaying Christmas decorations. As in the West, Christian churches in Korea hold Christmas pageants and conduct special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Young people especially enjoy the fellowship these observances provide; after the Christmas Eve services, for example, they go caroling to the homes of older church members, where they are usually treated to hot drinks and snacks. South Korea is the only East Asian country to recognize Christmas as a public holiday. The new Cheonggyecheon river in Seoul, South Korea at Christmastime
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:21:18 GMT -5
JapanEncouraged by the commercial sector, the secular celebration of Christmas is popular in Japan, though Christmas is not a national holiday. The Japanese adopted the character of Santa Claus in their celebrations, but the Santa image does not carry the same social importance as in western countries. Christmas is not as important as New Year's Day, which is the most sacred holiday in Japan, whereas Christmas is not a holiday at all. In contrast to western customs, Christmas Eve is a day for couples to date and groups to hold parties, while the official New Year's Day holiday is a day of family celebration. Christmas Eve is a time for lovers to exchange gifts, have a special date and stroll under Christmas lights erected by companies and governments to enhance the romantic feel of the day. All Christmas theme decorations come down on the 25th and are replaced by New Year's decorations. A unique feature of Christmas in Japan is the Christmas cake, a white whipped cream cake with strawberries. Christmas lights in Tokyo, JapanThe first recorded Christmas in Japan was celebrated with a mass held by Jesuit missionaries in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1552, although some believe that unrecorded celebrations were held prior to this date, starting in 1549 when Saint Francis Xavier arrived in Japan to begin missionary work. Starting with the expulsion of missionaries in 1587, Christianity was banned throughout Japan beginning in 1612, a few years into the Edo Period, and the public practice of Christmas subsequently ceased. However, a small enclave of Japanese Christians, known as Kakure Kirishitan ("hidden Christians"), continued to practice underground over the next 250 years, and Christianity along with Christmas practices reemerged at the beginning of the Meiji period. In the Meiji period, as spreading of Christian teachings was authorized, churches held their Christmas masses. In upper circles, heavily influenced by American customs, Christmas parties were held and presents were exchanged. The practice slowly spread in major cities, but its proximity to the New Year's celebrations makes it a significantly smaller focus of attention. During World War II, all celebrations and customs, especially those from America, were avoided and suppressed. From the 1960s, with the aid of a rapidly expanding economy, and influenced by American TV dramas, Christmas became popular, but not as a religious occasion. For many Japanese, celebrating Christmas is similar to participating in a matsuri, where participants often do not consider which kami is being celebrated, but believe that the celebration is a tribute nevertheless. From the 1970s to the 1980s, many songs and TV drama series presented Christmas from a lover's point of view. The birthday of the current emperor, Akihito, on December 23 is a national holiday. Christmas itself is not, but shortly thereafter businesses close for the New Year's holidays, usually reopening on the first weekday after January 3.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:21:51 GMT -5
Jordan
Though Jordan is located in the heart of the Muslim world, the tiny Christian community that makes 6% of the whole population, celebrates Christmas freely. Christmas day is a public holiday in Jordan. All Christian families put the Christmas tree and decorate the house with red and gold lights, and celebrates Christmas Eve with all the family and relatives, and usually would have dinner which is made up from traditional dishes, such as (Grilled Chicken With Rice), and (wara dawale, vine leafs which are folded around Rice and Meat), After dinner some families go to Church to celebrate the Christmas Mass. While other families go to hotels, most five star hotels hold a Christmas party on both 24 and 25 of December.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:22:43 GMT -5
China, Hong Kong and Macao A large artificial Christmas tree outside a shopping mall in Hong Kong, the People's Republic of ChinaIn China, December 25 is not a legal holiday. The one percent of Chinese citizens who consider themselves Christians unofficially, and usually privately, observe Christmas.Many other individuals celebrate Christmas-like festivities even though they do not consider themselves Christians. Many customs, including sending cards, exchanging gifts, and hanging stockings are very similar to Western celebrations. Both Hong Kong and Macau designate Christmas as a public holiday on December 25. Both are former colonies of Western powers with (nominal) Christian cultural heritage. However, it is worthy of note that commercial Christmas decorations, signs, and other symbolic items have become increasingly prevalent during the month of December in large urban centers of mainland China, reflecting a cultural interest in this Western phenomenon, and, sometimes, as part of retail marketing schemes.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:23:41 GMT -5
Taiwan Christmas tree on the Taipei 101 building in Taipei, TaiwanIn Taiwan, Christmas is not officially celebrated or legally recognized. However, coincidentally, December 25 is the date of the signing of the Constitution of the Republic of China in 1947, officially the Constitution Day. Hence there was already an official holiday on that date designated in 1963 by the Executive Yuan, which is largely, though unofficially, treated as if it were Christmas. In order to avoid having too many legal holidays when phasing in two-day-off-per-week plan, the Constitution Day is no longer a full legal holiday with a day off since 2001. Some people have become disappointed that December 25 has ceased to be a holiday, but there are still unofficial celebrations of Christmas.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:24:28 GMT -5
Malaysia
Christmas is a public holiday in Malaysia, however, much of the public celebration is commercial in nature and has no overt religious overtones. Occasionally, Christian activist groups do buy newspaper advertorials on Christmas or Easter but this is largely only allowed in English newspapers and permission is not given every year. The advertorials themselves are usually indirect statements.
In 2004, the government organized a national-level Christmas celebration but allegedly imposed an unofficial ban on all Christian religious symbols and hymns that specifically mention Jesus Christ.[4] The event was jointly organised by the Arts, Culture and Heritage ministry, the government of the state of Selangor and the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM). It has been reported that the Sultan of Selangor and his consort, the Prime Minister as well as assorted cabinet ministers will be in attendance. It will also be televised on TV in a majority Muslim country.
OC Lim, a former lawyer turned Jesuit priest and director of the Catholic Research Centre (also assistant parish priest of St. Francis Xavier's Church) has lodged a formal complaint. He has also stated that "To exclude (such) carols and to use (Christmas) for political gain is outrageous, scandalous and sacrilegious." He also said "To call it a cultural event (as rationalised by Christian politicians who are more politician than Christian) is to downgrade Jesus to a cultural sage such as Confucius."
CFM general secretary Rev Dr Hermen Shastri stated that the government wanted "nothing that insults Islam" during the open house.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim later denied that any such ban had been "issued officially or unofficially". He also added that there is "nothing wrong in singing songs such as Silent Night and Merry Christmas" as they are "joyous songs for the festival".
Lee Min Choon, legal advisor to the CFM and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship issued a statement which said "It means that churches can celebrate Christmas as they have been doing all along. Otherwise, the very meaning of the occasion will be lost." "Now, everybody should take the government at its word and celebrate Christmas the way they normally celebrate and express their religious faith."
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:25:59 GMT -5
Pakistan Saint Patrick's CathedralIn Pakistan, December 25th is a public holiday that coincides with the birth anniversary of Jinnah - the founder of the nation. Christians constitute approximately 1 percent of the population, mostly from Punjab who were once outcaste before British Raj. In Christian households, cards and presents are exchanged. People wear their best new clothes and visit friends houses. In rural areas, people go to Christmas Day services, which in Urdu and Punjabi is called 'Bara Din', the 'Big Day'. Bible Society of Pakistan conducts special programs on this eve.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:26:30 GMT -5
Philippines
The Philippines has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season. Although faint traces of the holiday arise beginning from early September, it is traditionally ushered in by the nine-day dawn Masses that start on Dec. 16. Known as the Misas de Aguinaldo (Gift Masses) or Misa de Gallo (Rooster's Mass) in the traditional Spanish. These Masses are more popularly known in Tagalog as the Simbang Gabi. Christmas Eve on December 24 is the much-anticipated "noche buena" — the traditional Christmas feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together on traditional noche buena fare, which includes the quéso de bóla ("ball cheese", usually edam cheese) and jamón (Christmas ham). Usually, aside from the already legal holidays which are Rizal Day (December 30) and New Year's Eve (December 31), other days in close proximity such as Christmas Eve (December 24), Niños Inocentes (December 28), and the Epiphany (traditionally, January 6) are also declared as non-working days. In Asia, Christmas is also the liveliest in the Philippines, since the country is the only predominantly Christian nation in the continent besides, Russia, East Timor, Georgia and Armenia.
However, as in many East Asian countries, secular Christmas displays are common both in business establishments and in public, including lights, Christmas trees, depictions of Santa Claus (despite the warm climate), and Christmas greetings in English and Tagalog. Occasionally such displays are left in place even in summer for example the parol representing the "Star of Bethlehem" which led the Three Kings to the newborn Baby Jesus.
In the capital Manila, Christmas Day is the start of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival during which locally produced films are featured in the city's theatres. ,
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:27:47 GMT -5
Singapore Singapore Orchard Road is lit up every year during the Christmas season Christmas tree in Singapore- Raffles CityIn Singapore, Christmas is a public holiday celebrated by almost everyone (Christian or otherwise). Typically it is also the boom time for retailers as Christmas season is also the time most people get their year-end bonuses. The entire shopping district like Orchard Road and Marina Centre areas is decorated with colourful lights from mid November till New Year's Day. In recent years, a charitable organisation called Celebrating Christmas in Singapore Ltd (with links to the National Council of Churches of Singapore) organised the "Celebrating Christmas in Singapore" during Christmas period with carolling, concerts and parade down Orchard Road. As Christmas is not a native festival here, there is nothing local except for maybe the warmer tropical climate. Christmas celebration in Singapore tends to be borrowed heavily from the American version with turkey dinner and decoration. As Christians only comprise 14% of the population, most of the celebration tends to be secular and commercial in nature. Local companies normally arrange gift exchange programs on the last working day before Christmas
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Post by neferetus on Dec 1, 2007 22:28:11 GMT -5
Nice photos, Greg.
Isn't it something how many non-Christian nations readily embrace Christmas, while Great Britain and the United States are assuming that immigrants from those nations might be offended by it.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:28:22 GMT -5
Caribbean
Jamaican Christmas is closely in line with its British heritage but with its own flavour. The traditional dances, the parties and festivities, the spirit of charity, and the food defines it.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:29:16 GMT -5
Mexico City hall Ticul, Yucatan, Mexico at Christmas timeMexico's Christmas traditions are centered on Mexican Catholicism and popular culture traditions also known as posadas. Over a nine day period, groups of townspeople go from door to door, in a fashion reminiscent of when the soon to be parents of baby Jesus looked for shelter to pass the night when they arrived at Bethlehem, and are periodically called inside homes to participate in the breaking of a gift-filled piñata. Mexican Christmas is not influenced by American Christmas since it is filled with over 30 traditions only found within Mexican Christmas. Children don't receive gifts on Christmas since it is the 6th of January the day when children expect a gift from the Three Wise Men by leaving a note in their shoes that they place below the tree so the kings can deliver on those requests while they bring baby Jesus their three gifts. What is done instead is that people set a Nacimiento, which is a representation of the barn where Jesus Christ was born, and every year at midnight, millions of families place then the figure of the baby Jesus in the manger as the symbolic representation of Christmas as a whole. Mexican Christmas festivities have the longest duration in the world,[citation needed] they start the 12th of December with the birthday of La Guadalupana (Virgin of Guadalupe), and end the 6th of January with the arrival of the Three Wise Men to give their gifts to baby Jesus and Mexican children alike. Children usually skip school on this date, and when they go to their rooms they find out not only the toys but that the Three Magic Kings have also appearead at "El Nacimiento".
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:30:21 GMT -5
United States and Canada Christmas at Rockefeller Center, located in New York City, USAIn the United States and Canada, the Santa Claus traditions are essentially the same, except in Quebec and other French speaking areas, with its réveillon and the Père Noël ("Father Christmas" in French). The Celebration of Boxing Day on the day after Christmas Day is a tradition practiced in Canada, as it is in the UK. According to a study by FOX News, 96% of the people in the United States celebrate Christmas, while only 78% of Americans are Christian according to the CIA World Factbook.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:30:52 GMT -5
South America
Religious themes predominate in Christmas celebrations in heavily Roman Catholic South America. The secular customs and gift-giving in these countries are an admixture of traditions handed down from European and Native American forebears, plus the increasing influence of American culture.
Gift giving traditions include Chile's "Viejo Pascuero" (Old Man Christmas), and Brazil's "Papai Noel", the latter two resembling Santa Claus in many ways. South American "Santas" dress more lightly in keeping with the warmer Christmas there, and have adopted a number of means, from ladders to trampolines, to enter homes at night. Gift giving in Argentina occurs both in Christmas and on January 6, "Kings' Day", when children leave shoes under their beds to be filled with snacks or small gifts by the Magi, who stop off on their way to Bethlehem.
Nativity scenes are a strong feature of South American Christmas, both in homes and in public places. In regions with large numbers of Native American descendants, such as Peru, the figures are often hand-carved in a centuries-old style. As in Mexico, village processions acting out the events surrounding the birth of Christ are also common. Family Christmas meals are very important, and their contents are as varied as the number of countries on the continent. Christmas lights are a near-universal holiday feature, and with the summery weather, fireworks displays are also found, especially over the cities of Brazil and Argentina.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:31:36 GMT -5
Nice photos, Greg. Isn't it something how many non-Christian nations readily embrace Christmas, while Great Britain and the United States are assuming that immigrants from those nations might be offended by it. It definately is, Nef...
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:32:20 GMT -5
South America
Religious themes predominate in Christmas celebrations in heavily Roman Catholic South America. The secular customs and gift-giving in these countries are an admixture of traditions handed down from European and Native American forebears, plus the increasing influence of American culture.
Gift giving traditions include Chile's "Viejo Pascuero" (Old Man Christmas), and Brazil's "Papai Noel", the latter two resembling Santa Claus in many ways. South American "Santas" dress more lightly in keeping with the warmer Christmas there, and have adopted a number of means, from ladders to trampolines, to enter homes at night. Gift giving in Argentina occurs both in Christmas and on January 6, "Kings' Day", when children leave shoes under their beds to be filled with snacks or small gifts by the Magi, who stop off on their way to Bethlehem.
Nativity scenes are a strong feature of South American Christmas, both in homes and in public places. In regions with large numbers of Native American descendants, such as Peru, the figures are often hand-carved in a centuries-old style. As in Mexico, village processions acting out the events surrounding the birth of Christ are also common. Family Christmas meals are very important, and their contents are as varied as the number of countries on the continent. Christmas lights are a near-universal holiday feature, and with the summery weather, fireworks displays are also found, especially over the cities of Brazil and Argentina.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:33:41 GMT -5
Colombia Christmas decorated river in Medellín, Colombia.Christmas in Colombia is celebrated as a very religious holiday. Presents are brought by “El Niño Dios” (Baby Jesus) instead of “Papá Noél” (Santa Claus). He is still an important Christmas figure, but his role in gift giving has been downplayed by the church. His presence however is still felt in decorations, and Santa Clauses pose for pictures at malls. While the Christmas decorations may have been put up since early November, the unofficial start of the Christmas festivities in Colombia takes place on December 7, Día de las Velitas, or "Day of the Candles", when at night the streets, sidewalks, balconies, porches and driveways are decorated with candles and paper lanterns, illuminating the city in a yellow glow, all in honor of the Immaculate Conception which takes place the next day December 8. Many activities take place including musical events, firework displays, and many other events planned by the cities. In many cities, and even in small rural towns, neighborhoods get together and decorate their whole neighborhood or street, making many streets feel like a tunnel of lights. Many radio stations, and some local organizations hold competitions for the best display of lights, making the competition for the best light show a serious event. Fireworks were a common item during the holiday season in Colombia, often going on at any time of the day everyday in many cities, but a recent ban of fireworks has decreased the use of fireworks and now only the city or towns get to hold firework displays. Christmas tree in Medellín, ColombiaDecember 16 is the first day of the Christmas Novena, a devotion consisting of prayer said on nine successive days, the last one held on Christmas Eve. The Novena was a call for a understanding the real meaning of Christmas, and a way to fight the commercialism of the season, the Catholic Church promotes this tradition as a staple of Christmas, much like the posadas of Mexico. Villancicos are sung accompanied by Tambourines and bells, and verses from the Bible are read, followed by an interpretation which may change each year. Churches offer nightly masses for the novenas, culminating with the “Misa de Gallo” (Rooster’s Mass) on December 24 at midnight. Christmas Eve is the most important day of Christmas in Colombia. Families and friends get together pray the last Novena and wait till midnight to open the presents, and parties go on till sunrise on Christmas Day, kids stay up playing with their toys, and fireworks fill the skies. December 25 is less on celebration as Christmas Eve is considered Christmas Day in Colombia. Part of the Christmas season, Colombians celebrate the “Día de los Inocentes” or Day of the Innocents also known in English as the Massacre of the Innocents is a day for pranks, equivalent to April Fool's Day in many countries. Prank victims are called inocentes. January 6, the day of the Revelation of the Magi, when according to the tradition is when the Wise Men arrived to see the baby Jesus and offered him gifts, used to be a day of gift giving, but has slowly lost its importance. Some families still give presents, but its also the day godparents usually give their presents, and the day where Christmas decorations are taken down.
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Post by Greg C. on Dec 1, 2007 22:34:17 GMT -5
Venezuela
In Venezuela on December 16, families bring out their Nativity scenes which are a specially designed and thought out depiction of the nativity scene.
It is customary to attend one of nine carol services that are observed by most Venezuelans. Firecrackers explode and church bells toll to call worshipers from bed in the predawn hours. The last of the Christmas services takes place on Nochebuena de Navidad Christmas Eve. Families attend a mass on this night and then return home to a huge and fancy dinner.
On January 6, the day of the Epiphany, when the children wake up they find that the straw that they had left beside their bed the night before has gone, and in its place are gifts that the children believe that the Magi and their camels have placed, and if they have a black smudge on their cheek, it means that Balthasar, King of the Ethiopians has kissed them whilst they slept.
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