Christmas Around The World: Christian Culture

Christmas is one of the important Christian festivals, celebrated with great fanfare around the world. The day, which is observed on 25 December, is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. It is a holiday season in many countries of the world, where Christianity is the predominant religion. While the festival is celebrated with enthusiasm worldwide, the customs and traditions associated with it vary from one country to the other. This is largely because of the difference in lifestyle and culture. The rituals you find in the western countries would be in total contrast with those, found in European countries.

Celebrations of Christmas begin a month prior to the festival. In many parts of the world, people celebrate the Advent, which starts four weeks prior to the day of Christmas. The Western World largely associates Christmas with Santa Claus, exchange of gifts, family get together and parties. On the other hand, there are many countries in other parts of the world, wherein people observe the festival with religious fervor. For them, the occasion is all about Jesus and his preaching. In both the cases, the houses and the Christmas tree are decorated beautifully with festoons and special prayers are conducted at churches during the Midnight of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check out all about the celebrations of Christmas around the world, in our related section.