Is the Tradition of Christmas the Same Worldwide?
The Tradition of Christmas is different around the world. People everywhere celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But the way they celebrate is different according to the customs and traditions of the region.
During the four weeks leading up to Christmas, many liturgical churches around the world celebrate the season of Advent. This is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration takes the form of lighting the Advent wreath — with 3 purple candles and one pink one. The purple candles represent the first, second and fourth Sundays of Advent and are associated with the themes of Hope, Peace and Lov e. The third S unday is represented by the pink candle and the theme of Joy.
In the United States and many European countries, people celebrate by the use of nativity scenes. These depict the stable in Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, and shepherds and wise men. These are generally placed in a prominent place in the home or on the altar or other significant place in the church.
There are often special services that accompany the tradition of Christmas. Many churches have Christmas cantatas which retell the story of that first Christmas in musical form. Many of these are from classical composers, Bach, Vivaldi and others, as well as many modern day renditions by more contemporary Christian composers, Ralph Carmichael.
Another version of this choral retelling that has regained popularity in recent years is the service of Lessons and Carols in which passages are read aloud regarding the prophecies of the birth of Jesus Christ and their fulfillment. These are interspersed with either a soloist or the choir, sometimes accompanied by the congregation, singing one of the Christmas carols that relates to the reading.
The Christmas tree is a favorite symbol of the season. With its bright lights and decorations and the presents all around, this is the reminder of the present that was given at Christmas with the birth of Jesus Christ. And of course, a gift would not be possible without a giver and Saint Nicholas has come down through tradition as the symbol of gift giving and generosity to all during the Christmas season.
Many of these same traditions have spread to place like China and Asia through the efforts of Christian missionaries. They have helped take the message of the true meaning of this wonderful season to peoples all around the globe.
Wherever one goes around the world, New York City, London, or Beijing one will find various traditions of Christmas. Many of them will be familiar while others may be new. But whatever the tradition, the message should always be the same – Jesus Christ, the Son of God was born into this world to redeem us all from sin, and he is the reason that we celebrate this wonderful season.
