Christmas Around The World

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.

Christmas In Australia
When countries in the northern hemisphere celebrate Christmas during chilly winters, the festival is celebrated during hot sunny days, in Australia, because the country is located is southern hemisphere - where summers are from December 21 to March 21 and winters are from June 21 to September 21.

Christmas In Canada
Christmas is celebrated with great fanfare across Canada. Here, the festival is not merely a private affair. The ceremonious occasion took the shape of a community festival in the 19th century and since then, it is observed with great enthusiasm by the natives of the country. It is the time to spread good cheers, enjoy the holidays with loved ones, invoke Lord Jesus Christ through carols and songs and seek his blessings.

Christmas in India
Christmas in India may not be as widespread affair as in some western country but in India, this festival is celebrated by the Christian community across the country with great zeal and gaiety. It is a public Holiday and is also officially celebrated by the President of India at his residence. All the top notch officials of Government of India offer good wishes to the people on the occasion via media.

Christmas In Russia
Christmas in Russia is celebrated in a unique way, which is different from the rest of the world. Eastern Orthodox Christians form the majority of Christian population in the country. Even today, they follow the old Julian calendar to commemorate different festivals, including Christmas. This is the reason why the festival is celebrated 13 days after Christmas Day (December 25) - the Russian Orthodox Christmas is observed on January 7, every year.

Christmas In Switzerland
Christmas is one of the most blissful occasions in Switzerland. The celebrations of the festival in the European country are not very much different from those seen in other nations of the continent. One can see the same degree of merriment, including family gatherings on Christmas Eve and church services on the following day.

Christmas in England
Christmas is popular festival in England. The origin of this festival in this country can be traced back to the 596 AD, when St Augustine landed on the shores of this country along with some monks who intended to spread Christianity among the residents of this place. As soon as the people of this land became familiar with the religion, the celebrations of Christmas became an annual phenomenon.

Christmas in USA
Christmas is one of the major festivals of United States and celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor throughout the country. The cosmopolitan society of United States celebrated this holiday season in several unique ways. The traditions and rituals do not only vary from state to state but also from one home to another.