Since time immemorial, millions of people across the globe have celebrated Christmas, and the origin of this custom is lost in the mists of prehistory. It is believed that the roots of the holiday are connected both to Christian tradition and to older winter rituals of various peoples. Each country has developed its own specific customs, but today common symbols of the celebration are increasingly widespread, linking people around the world.
In our southern neighbor Greece, Saint Nicholas is revered as the patron saint of sailors. Legends describe him as a white-haired old man in wet clothes, with sea spray and salty water dripping from his beard after a storm. This image is considered one of the prototypes of the modern “Santa Claus,” and in many coastal regions locals believe he protects ships during the harshest winter days.
In Germany, preparations for Christmas begin as early as the night before December 6, when Saint Nicholas’ Day is celebrated. Children leave their shoes at the door, and in the morning well-behaved children find them filled with sweets and small gifts, while those who misbehaved may find only twigs instead of treats. It is believed that during the night Christ sends angels to wander the earth, which is why tradition calls for children to dress in white and walk in circles around the houses for health and good fortune in the coming year.
In Italy, Christmas festivities begin eight days before Christmas, but the biggest gifts are given on January 6, Epiphany. On this day arrives the kind but rather ugly-looking witch “Befana” with her broom and a bag full of gifts. She leaves presents for well-behaved children, while naughty ones receive only a lump of coal—but a sweet one, made of sugar, which is also seen as a sign of hope and change.
In the Netherlands, the tradition is linked to Saint Nicholas, known as “Sinterklaas,” who arrives by water on the Dutch shores as early as November. During the summer he has a “Spanish address and residence,” where, according to legend, he records which children have been well behaved and which have not throughout the year. As Christmas approaches and he comes ashore, he mounts a white horse and rides through the streets to the delight of young and old, leaving gifts at night in shoes placed by the windows.
In Finland, on Christmas Eve there is an unusual but very important custom—the whole family goes to the sauna to bathe and cleanse themselves before the festive meal. This tradition is believed to bring health and calm the spirit before everyone sits down at the table. The holiday dinner begins when the first star appears in the sky, symbolically recalling the Star of Bethlehem.
In many French homes at Christmas, a “nativity scene” is arranged—a model of the cave or manger where Christ was born, with figurines of the Holy Family and animals. A typical treat is the chocolate Christmas cake shaped like a log, known as “Bûche de Noël,” but the festive menu itself varies by region—from seafood along the coasts to hearty meat dishes inland.
In Australia, instead of sledding through the snow, people most often celebrate Christmas on the beach in swimsuits. At this time of year, temperatures rarely drop below 30 degrees Celsius, and for many the holiday coincides with summer vacation and school holidays. It is believed that in Australia “Santa Claus” обязательно arrives on a surfboard or by boat, not in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
Unlike sunny Australia, Canada is one of the few countries where the chance of celebrating a truly white Christmas is very high—with snow, icy landscapes, and… real reindeer. Small groups of masked people roam the streets, ringing bells and singing Christmas songs. They are called “masked carolers” and they bring extra festive spirit to the cold winter nights.
In Denmark, the Christmas season begins when the mischievous elf “Nisse” decides to have some fun. Danes believe he lives in the attics of old farmhouses, and his favorite pastime is playing small tricks. Christmas Eve traditionally begins with rice pudding, in which a “magic almond” is hidden. Whoever finds it is believed to have an especially happy and prosperous year—a tradition that strikingly resembles our own “coin” holiday pastry.
According to legend, the Czech version of Santa Claus descends from the sky on a golden rope, followed by an angel and a devil. On December 4, young girls in the Czech Republic tell their fortunes by placing a cherry branch in a vase of water. If the branch blossoms by Christmas, it is taken as a sign that the girl will meet her future husband in the coming year.
In England, the image of the traditional “Santa Claus” is widespread—dressed in a long red or green robe with fluffy white trim. While everyone sleeps, he travels from house to house, leaving gifts in empty stockings hung by the fireplace or in special Christmas stockings prepared by children the night before. The morning search for surprises in them is one of the most eagerly awaited parts of the holiday.
About a month before the holiday in Lebanon, people wrap lentil, bean, or wheat seeds in damp cotton threads and place them in a bright spot. They water them daily so they sprout by Christmas, and the green shoots are used to decorate nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus. This living decoration symbolizes new life and the hope associated with Christmas.
On the Russian festive table, tradition calls for 12 dishes, each symbolizing one of the twelve apostles. Besides “Father Frost” and his granddaughter “Snegurochka,” Russian homes are visited by another figure—“Babushka.” Like the Italian “Befana,” she refused to follow the Star of Bethlehem when Christ was born and, according to legend, has been wandering ever since in search of the manger. Babushka stops at every home with children, thinking that the Son of God might be there, and leaves small gifts.
In Spain, Christmas is called “Navidad” and is filled with colorful and noisy customs. After the festive dinner on Christmas Eve, Spaniards often go out into the streets to watch dancers perform the special “jota” dance. It is believed that people also pay homage to cows, because according to tradition, when Jesus was born, a cow in the stable warmed him with its breath on the icy night.
In Sweden, before dawn the youngest daughter in the family dresses in a white gown with a red sash. She places a wreath with lit candles on her head and walks around the home, bringing coffee and sweets to her relatives—a tradition connected to St. Lucia’s Day. Similar candlelight processions are also held in churches during the festive services. At Christmas in Sweden, the goat is a particularly revered animal, because according to folklore it is the one that delivers gifts in a basket. On Christmas Eve, someone in the family dresses up as a Christmas gnome who supposedly emerges from basements and closets to hand out gifts to everyone.
Thus, behind the common image of Christmas stand dozens of different stories, myths, and rituals—from beach celebrations in Australia to snowy streets in Canada, from the witch “Befana” in Italy to the mysterious “Babushka” in Russia. Although the customs differ, the spirit of the holiday everywhere is the same—hope, kindness, and faith in the miracles of the winter night.