Texto em Inglês - Natal ao redor do Mundo

Getting Started

Review unique traditions from Christmas around the world:

1. History of Christmas in America: In 1600s, Puritan-minded Boston, public displays of “holiday spirit” were illegal offenses. The South, on the other hand, enjoyed Christmas festivities. Eggnog was invented in Jamestown, Virginia. Christmas became less popular during the Revolutionary War, due to a desire to break from all English tradition. It flourished again during the Civil War, except the lower classes rioted in the streets to protest upper-class extravagance and waste. The author of "The Headless Horseman" and "A Christmas Carol", Washington Irving, may have revived Christmas. He wrote about a dream of Santa Claus flying through the sky in an open sleigh and created the iconic image of Santa we still see today. He also told a story of a wealthy family inviting peasants into their home to share the Christmas spirit. Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas were the first states to legalize Christmas, between 1836 and 1838. It was not until 1870 that Christmas was recognized as a federal holiday. Before then, most people went to work.

2. Christmas in Canada: In small towns, people go mummering or belsnickeling. They wear costumes and go door-to-door asking to be let in. If the host does not guess who the mummer is, the host must join the mummers walking door-to-door. Then they sing, dance, eat and drink before going to the next house. Many people hold Christmas-lighting contests and cookie-baking parties. Each person brings a Christmas cookie recipe. They all bake together and exchange cookies at the end of the night so everyone goes home with a variety of cookies.

3. Christmas in Mexico: Celebrations last from December 12th to January 6th. The most important celebration is the Posada, which takes place between December 16 and Christmas Eve. Posada means Inn or Lodging, and is a celebration of Mary and Joseph’s journey as they looked for a place to stay before the birth of Christ. For the nine nights of celebration, a different home is the Posada each night. Children go from house to house and are told at each house that there is no room and they must go away. When they reach the Posada of the night, they are finally welcomed in, where they say prayers and have a party with food, games and fireworks. On the final night of Posada, a manger and nativity scene are displayed. Everyone then attends a midnight Church service. After the service, there are more fireworks to celebrate the beginning of Christmas. The popular game of piñata is played at the Posada parties and the most important decoration is the nativity scene.

4. Christmas in France: In France, Santa Claus or St. Nicholas is called Père Noël, Father Christmas. Everyone attends a midnight Christmas Eve church service and eats the main Christmas meal early Christmas morning. The meal includes roast turkey, roast goose, venison, lobster, oyster, foie gras (duck liver), chestnuts, cheese and a chocolate sponge cake log called a bûche de Noël. Also on Christmas Eve, families carry a Yule Log into the home and leave it burning all night. Many families also celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. Celebrations begin on the first Sunday of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas until 12 days after Christmas, the Epiphany. A cake is eaten with a treat hidden inside. Biting into the treat is a sign of good luck and marks the end of the Christmas season.

5. Christmas in Germany: Before Christianity arrived in Germany, Germans still decorated evergreen trees on the winter solstice, December 21st. It was not until the 17th century that a true "Christmas tree" was decorated. German Immigrants brought Christmas Trees to Pennsylvania in the 1820s. In 1840, a German Prince married the English Queen and brought Christmas Trees with him. When an American newspaper included a photograph of the royal Christmas tree, it inspired all Americans to adopt the tradition. Back in Germany, families use an Advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas. Every day, they open a small numbered flap hiding a Christmas image inside. They also have an Advent wreath with four candles that they light for four Sundays before Christmas. Germany has famous outdoor Christmas markets containing stalls of gifts, decorations and food. Before St. Nicholas Day on December 6, children write letters to St. Nicholas or Baby Jesus to ask for gifts. Some children leave their shoes outside the front door, filled with carrots and hay for St. Nicholas’s horse. In the morning, they are filled with apples, nuts, and candy. Christmas Eve is the most important day. Adults decorate the tree with ornaments, bows, lights, a golden angel on the top branch, and nativity scene below the tree. After dark, a bell rings to signal the presents have arrived. After presents, singing and poetry, families eat the Christmas meal of turkey, goose or duck. Christmas Day is focused on family, church, and dinner. On January 6, the final day of the holiday season, boys dress up like the three wise men and go carolling.

6. Christmas in Ghana: In Ghana, Christmas coincides with a long-anticipated rest at the end of the cocoa harvest. Churches intensely prepare for Christmas many months in advance. It is the most joyous and celebrated holiday of the year. With musicians, choirs and radio programs constantly playing beautiful Christmas carols. On December 1st, families decorate their homes, schools and town centers using lights, candles and ornaments. The children in each family work together to decorate a mango or guava tree in the center of the town. Throughout this holiday season, everyone greets each other with, “Afishapa" meaning "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." This is the time of year friends and family travel far and wide to visit their loved ones in their ancestral home. To celebrate, they decorate their cars and buses with brightly colored Christmas decorations. For Christmas Eve dinner, families share goat or chicken stew with rice. Then everyone attends a church service to sing traditional carols. From the church, everyone joins a parade-like procession in the streets that is reminiscent of Mardi Gras. Local musicians play and everyone dances and celebrates late into the night. On Christmas Day families attend church, and exchange gifts of clothes, shoes, chocolate, cookies and crackers from Father Christmas. The Christmas meal consists of rice, chicken, goat, lamb, mangoes, oranges, pawpaw or cashew fruits. Everyone decorates their home with homemade ornaments made of brightly colored paper.

Opening Discussion

Discuss the following:

• Do you have any family Christmas traditions?
• Do any of your Christmas traditions originate in other cultures?
• What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
• Are there any Christmas traditions from around the world that you would like to adopt?
• What does "holiday spirit" mean to you?
• How can you spread the "holiday spirit" and holiday cheer this holiday season?
• Many people volunteer or do community service around Christmas. How can you give back to the community this year?

Neste link abaixo voce pode ver como o Natal ´comemorado ao redor do mundo:

https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/