It's Christmas

Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ. On this day, many go to church, where they take part in special religious services. During the Christmas season, they also exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees. In the days before Christmas, children and adults go from house to house singing carols. For several weeks before Christmas, children write letters to Santa Claus and tell him what presents they would like to receive. The Christmas tree is the main attraction in most homes. Presents are placed under the decorated tree on Christmas Eve. Many children grow up believing that Santa Claus brings these presents. Families open their presents on Christmas morning.

People of different countries celebrate the holiday in various ways, depending on national and local customs. In the BENELUX countries, Saint Nicholas travels along the house roofs, while his servant, Zwarte Piet (Black Pete), accompanies him. Saint Nicholas goes down the chimney of each house and leaves gifts in shoes that the children have put by the fireplace.

On Christmas Eve, Filipinos parade through the streets carrying colourful star-shaped lanterns called parols. In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, it is customary for the streets to be blocked off on Christmas Eve so that the people can roller-skate to church. The nine days before Christmas have special importance in Mexico. These days are called posadas, which means inns or lodgings. On each day, Mexicans re-enact Mary and Joseph's search for lodgings on the first Christmas Eve. Two children carrying figures of Mary and Joseph lead a procession of people to a particular house. The people knock on the door and ask for lodgings. They are refused at first but finally are admitted. After each posada ceremony, Mexicans feast and celebrate.

A popular Christmas custom in Norway is ringe in Julen (ringing in Christmas). Throughout the country, people ring church bells at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Traditional Christmas dinners in Britain include roast, stuffed turkey with bread sauce, boiled or roast potatoes and other vegetables. Dessert includes mince pies with brandy butter, or Christmas pudding (a type of plum pudding) with cream or a sweet white sauce made with corn flour. In the Scandinavian countries, Christmas dinner includes rice pudding, called julgrot, which has an almond in it. According to tradition, whoever gets the almond will have good luck throughout the New Year.

Eggnog (a thick, creamy drink made with eggs, cream, sugar, cinnamon, and rum) is a popular Christmas beverage in the United States. Large numbers of people enjoy reading Christmas stories and poems during the holiday season. For example, A Christmas Carol (1843) by the English novelist Charles Dickens ranks as one of the most famous tales ever written. The poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823), popularly known by its first line, " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas," is read aloud in many homes on Christmas Eve in the United States. Several musical productions are also Christmas traditions. They include The Nutcracker, a ballet by Tchaikovsky, and Amahl and the Night Visitors, an opera by Gian Carlo Menotti.

In Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and parts of Canada, the day after Christmas Day is called Boxing Day. Traditionally, people exchanged presents on this day. It is also a traditional day for hunting and sports events such as soccer matches. With its many traditions and customs, Christmas is a season of joy, laughter and mirth.

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!