Christmas
There`s no doubt that this holiday is loved by both grown- ups and children. If in the past its basis was exclusively religion, nowadays it`s a family feast with definite traditions in which a mythical figure named Santa Claus plays the pivotal role. Actually, its symbols (a fir tree, candles, giving gifts) also have no religious meaning.
I`m inclined to think that nowadays a religious component of the holiday isn`t of paramount importance. It`s mostly a secular family holiday which is also celebrated by non-Christians. In many countries it lost its religious meaning without a trace. It`s celebrated as a kind of performance. In Mexico, on days leading up to Christmas, the search of Mary and Joseph for a place to stay is reenacted and children try to break a piñata filled with toys and candy. Christmas is a great summer festival in Brazil, including picnics, fireworks, and other festivities as well as a solemn procession of priests to the church to celebrate midnight mass. In India, the fir as Christmas tree is replaced by the mango tree or the bamboo tree, and houses are decorated with mango leaves. Japan serves as illustration of a different sort. There, in a predominantly Shintō country, the secular aspects of the holiday—Christmas trees and decorations, even the singing of Christmas songs such as "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" or "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" —instead of the religious aspects are widely observed.
Useful information: - www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
- www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide
- www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_card
- www.holidays.net/christmas/
- www.soon.org.uk/christmas.htm
- www.cresourcei.org/cyxmas.html
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