We all have our own traditional ways of celebrating Christmas Eve. In New Zealand these are varied due to our diverse range of cultures, but in other countries there are very set ways in which Christmas Eve is celebrated.
CANADA / USA:
In Canada and the USA people decorate their homes with lights and decorations, sing Christmas carols and make yummy Christmas goodies such as cinnamon twists and eggnog. Traditionally they eat a feast of seafood, before attending Midnight Mass and then returning home to open gifts.
VENEZUELA:
Venezuelans take an entirely different approach – in Caracas, the capital city, it is customary to roller-skate to the Christmas Eve church service and many neighbourhoods close the streets to cars until 8 a.m. Before bedtime children tie one end of a piece of string to their big toe and hang the other end of the string out the window. The next morning, roller skaters give a tug to any string they see hanging down.
ITALY:
In Italy it is tradition for people to visit seven churches on Christmas Eve, whereas in Russia they simply go to one Christmas Mass and then come home to bed – a lot like in New Zealand.
BETHLEHEM:
Bethlehem, the original location of Christmas, hosts very formal Christmas Eve celebrations, with galloping horsemen leading a parade. The procession very solemnly enters the church where an ancient statue of the Holy Child is placed. Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene.
CHINA:
Christians in China celebrate by lighting their houses with beautiful paper lanterns and decorating their Christmas trees with paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns. Chinese Children hang muslin stockings and await a visit from Santa, whom they call Dun Che Lao Ren (dwyn-chuh-lau-oh-run) which means "Christmas Old Man.".
GREECE:
On Christmas Eve in Greece, village children travel from house to house singing kalanda (carols) and offering merry Christmas wishes. The songs are usually accompanied by small metal triangles and little clay drums. As a reward the children are given sweets and dried fruits.
POLAND:
In Poland a strict 24-hour fast begins on Christmas Eve, ending with a huge Christmas feast. In honour of the star of Bethlehem, the meal is not able to begin until the first star of the night appears. Once the star appears, a special rice wafer is blessed by the parish priest, which is broken up into pieces and shared amongst everyone. This begins the meal, which consists of twelve courses, one for each Apostle. The table is always set with one extra seat in case a stranger or the Holy Spirit appears to share the meal.
Laura Evans
Last updated: 30/04/2008
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We all have our own traditional ways of celebrating Christmas Eve. In New Zealand these are varied due to our diverse range of cultures, but in other countries there are very set ways in which Christmas Eve is celebrated.