Flight around the world

The planning and organ­ising of Christmas often takes up our thoughts and time. How often do we actually stop and think how others around the world will be celebrating?

In Japan there is a god, or priest, known as Hoteiosho, who closely resembles our Santa Claus- Kathryn Borg

I have had a quick look at a few countries to see what happens during Christmas. This was prompted by some work I am doing with Russia at the moment.

I will look initially at Japan. Christmas was introduced in Japan by the Christian missionaries, and for many years the only people who celebrated it were those who had turned to the Christian faith.

But now the Christmas season in Japan is full of meaning and is almost universally observed. The idea of exchanging gifts seems to appeal strongly to the Japanese. Japan has become more westernised over the years and subsequently, shops have commercialised Christmas just as our western shops have done. For several weeks before the day, the stores shout Christmas.

The story of Jesus born in a manger is fascinating to the little to do with babies. In the scene of the Nativity they become familiar for the first time with a cradle; Japanese babies never sleep in cradles.

Many western Christmas customs have been adopted by the Japanese. Besides exchanging gifts, they eat turkey on Christmas Day, and in some places there are even community Christmas trees.

Traditionally, Japanese food is very different (and healthier) than western food, so this is a huge departure from tradition. They decorate their houses with evergreens and mistletoe, and in some homes Christmas carols are sung gaily.

In Japan there is a god, or priest, known as Hoteiosho, who closely resembles our Santa Claus. He is always pictured as a kind old man carrying a huge pack. It is well for the children to be good when this all-seeing gentleman is abroad.

New Year’s Day is the most important day of the whole calendar in Japan. On New Year’s Eve houses are cleaned thoroughly and decorated for the next day. When everything has been made clean and tidy, people put on their finest clothes.

The father of the household then walks through the house, followed by all the family, and drives the evil spirits out. He throws dried beans and bids that evil spirits withdraw and good luck enter.

Moving on to Russia, St Nicholas is especially popular in this country. The legend is that the 11th century Prince Vladimir travelled to Constantinople to be baptised, and returned with stories of miracles performed by St Nicholas of Myra.

Since then many eastern orthodox churches have been named for the saint, and to this day, Nicholas is one of the most common names for Russian boys. The feast of St Nicholas (December 6) was observed for many centuries, but after the communist revolution, the celebration of the feast was suppressed. During the communist years St Nicholas was transformed into Grandfather Frost. Before the communist revolution, a figure called Babouschka would bring gifts to the children. Like Italy’s La Befana, the story is that Babouschka failed to give food and shelter to the three wise men during their journey to visit Jesus. According to tradition, she still roams the countryside searching for the Christ Child and visiting the homes of children during the Christmas season.

Babouschka never completely disappeared has now returned openly. Christmas trees were also banned by the Communist regime, but people continued to trim their ‘New Year’ trees.

Most Christian Russians belong to the eastern orthodox church, and it is customary to fast until after the first church service on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve dinner is meatless but festive. The most important ingredient is a porridge called kutya, made of wheat berries or other grains which symbolise hope and immortality, and honey and poppy seeds which ensure happiness.

A priest visits the home, accompanied by boys carrying vessels of holy water, and a little water is sprinkled in each room. The kutya is eaten from a common dish to symbolise unity.

In Iraq, on Christmas Eve, Christian families gather together and a child reads about the birth of Jesus while other family members hold lit candles. After the reading, a bonfire of thorn bushes is lit and everyone sings. If the thorns burn to ashes, good luck will be granted for the coming year. When the fire dies, each person jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.

On Christmas Day another bonfire is lit in the churchyard. The bishop, carrying a figure of baby Jesus, leads the service. Afterwards he blesses one person with a touch. That person touches the next person and the touch is passed on until all have felt the ‘touch of peace’.

I hope you have enjoyed my flight around the world, and let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas.

kathryn@maltanet.net