Celebrations

Holidays and Festivals Trabajo de recuperaci贸n Name: Oscar Daniel Rueda Angie Gabriela Madrid Grade: 801 IED. CIUDAD DE MONTREAL Teacher: Lucy Mosquera

CHRISTMAS  Christmas is one of the most important festivals of Christianity , along with Easter Resurrection and

Pentecost. This feast , which commemorates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem , is celebrated on December 25 in the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, and some Protestant communities in most Orthodox Churches . Instead, it is celebrated on January 7 in other Orthodox churches as the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, who did not accept the amendment made to the Julian calendar to move to the Gregorian calendar known as , name derived from its reformer Pope Gregory XIII.

 English speakers use the term Christmas , meaning ' misa ( mass ) of Christ. In some Germanic languages ,​

such as German, the festival is called Weihnachten , meaning ' blessed night ' . The Christmas holidays are proposed, as the name suggests , celebrate the Nativity ( ie birth) of Jesus of Nazareth.

CHRISTMAS  Thus was the policy of the early Church to absorb rather than suppress existing pagan rites , which from the

earliest times had celebrated the winter solstice and the arrival of spring.

 As the Gospels do not mention dates, it is not certain that Jesus was born that day. In fact, Christmas Day was

not officially recognized until the year 345 , when the influence of St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory Nazianzen proclaimed December 25 as the date of the Nativity.

 The pagan festival most closely associated with the new Christmas was the Roman Saturnalia , December 19 , in

honor of Saturn, god of agriculture , celebrated for seven days bustling entertainment and banquets. At the same time , was celebrated in Northern Europe a similar winter festival known as Yule, in which large logs and branches adorned with ribbons in honor of the gods for the sun to shine harder burned.

 Christmas Day is on December 25 , when the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is celebrated according to the Gospels

of Matthew and Luke . After Easter is the most important feast of the ecclesiastical year .

Christmas in Colombia ď‚— The last days of November, the joy invades the Colombians, the streets are filled

with lights and all prepare to celebrate Christmas, a holiday that brings together families and friends around the manger , where the birth is commemorated Baby Jesus.

ď‚— In Colombia , the start of the Christmas celebration becomes official with the

Velitas Night , which takes place on December 7 , the eve of the religious feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. On this day , families gather to light a lot of candles or lanterns in front of the houses , and thus pave the way for the Virgin Mary bless their homes.

ď‚— Also, the streets are filled with lights and lit the most famous cities like Bogota,

Medellin and Cali create a riot of colors at night with fireworks displays that attract visitors from all regions of the country and the world .

Christmas in Colombia ď‚— Christmas in Colombia is a big party, it's time to retreat and family togetherness , it

is a special time to express affection , share with friends and of course , praying the Novena of Christmas bonuses .For nine days , gathered around the manger and the Christmas tree , Colombian pray , sing carols, enjoy the joy of the holidays and the smallest share the message of the birth of the Christ Child .

ď‚— In these meetings, snacks, desserts and culinary preparations like custard and

donuts are offered and , at times, is celebrated until dawn to the rhythm of salsa , merengue , cumbia , vallenato and other rhythms of Colombian festivals.

ď‚— On December 24 night is magical. After praying the final day of the Novena ,

families share the traditional Christmas dinner. The menu varies depending on customs of each region , but some of the dishes that are usually consumed at this time are tamales , chili sauce , sancochos , suckling pig , pork and smoked pork stuffed turkey . Cookies , bread fruit , sweets and desserts are also part of the Christmas food.

Christmas in Colombia ď‚— After midnight is customary to make the giving of gifts , symbolizing affection for loved ones and the

importance of staying united in this time of love and peace. This aims to strengthen ties and expressing affection , gratitude , good wishes and solidarity.

ď‚— For children , Christmas is even more special. Some expect the arrival of midnight to open presents that

brings the Child Jesus , as a reward for good behavior , while others wake up anxious in the morning of December 25 to pick up the gifts at the manger and share with your parents and siblings.

ď‚— On the night of December 31 ends the cycle of celebrations with the arrival of the new year . This day ,

Colombian families gather to give thanks for all the opportunities they received during the year ends and celebrate the beginning of a new stage.

Christmas in Europa 

On December 25th the birth of Jesus is celebrated and this monograph we highlight the main features in the Christmas celebration of some of the major European countries , particularly in Spain , France, Italy and London. There is a more universal tradition that all peoples of the world as the annual celebration of Christmas festivities .We hope that the detailed information may be of interest.* SPAIN *

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Christmas in Spain , share traditions with the rest of the countries where the Catholic religion is practiced. As in other parts of the world, families gather to share and enjoy the joy of this celebration. In any case, the idea is to meet up to share with enthusiasm , goodwill, friendship and the birth of Jesus . The ornaments and fixtures used to participate in these parties are similar in Europe and America , food , drink , music , dancing, and the custom of giving and sharing what we have with others.

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An important symbol of Christmas in this country is Bethlehem. The representations of the birth of Jesus can be seen from many parts of the country and should highlight the major Spanish cities and the beautiful city of Madrid and Barcelona. It is very common that the Spaniards are very elaborate nativity scenes , to look as real as possible and in many cities , including competitions are organized to choose the best. In many small towns , the night of Christmas Eve, December 24 , a nativity scene in the streets "live" with actors, actresses , and animals that are associated with the birth of Jesus , one cow and a donkey represents some lambs .

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During these days of Christmas Eve and Christmas , you can hear the voices of children singing in the streets , especially in small towns , and thus participating in an ancient tradition that is called asking for the bonus .Although not as popular lately , some years ago , you could hear everywhere traditional carols sung by children in your neighborhood, or next to a Nativity scene . In exchange the neighbors gave away some coins or candy. On December 22 , the Sweepstakes Lottery Christmas reminds all Spaniards that Christmas is near

Christmas in Europa  On December 24 , the Spanish celebrate Christmas Eve :  In Spain , as in many parts of the world, two very typical traditions of this day in the Christian world are practiced , make a special family dinner ,

and go to church for midnight mass at 12 hours .Each month of December , Christmas is a place full of traditions, celebrations , gifts and joy time.

In Spain , in addition to religiously celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas Eve invites the family gathering around a table and a special dinner.

Fasting during Christmas Eve , the faithful Tomasen allowed a small meal after aa mince , origin of the tradition of dinner Nochebuena.Según zone or country, the celebration takes place not on Christmas Eve but Christmas in food , but in Spain are really important both meals .After the year's biggest dinner , many people are encouraged and out of their houses at midnight to go to Midnight Mass , so named because the rooster is known as the first to announce the birth of Jesus.

 On December 25 , Christmas day is usually also where family eat well , and in some cases , Santa Claus visits the children , to give them gifts, but

this custom is not as popular as in other countries . Spaniards traditionally expected to give gifts on Three Kings .

 December 28 marks the day of the Holy Innocents where it is customary to make some joke to friends or family to laugh and play with people. On

this day, many people get confused because newspapers published absurd or unbelievable news, but all jokes online .On 31 January , New Year's Eve . Course, celebrations January 31 , or New Year's Eve in Spain , are an impressive sight. External image navidad_nochevieja - d.jpgIn all the squares of Spanish cities , you can see a similar scenario, and the protagonists are grapes and bells. When the clock strikes 12 , ring bells 12 times, all Spaniards eat 12 grapes , one for each stroke of the bell. According to tradition, eating grapes have 12 months of prosperity in the coming year .

 Families and friends get together for this celebration that marks the end of one year and the beginning of another , and in the case of Spanish , it

is very common to celebrate the party until the wee hours of the morning .On January 6 , the day of the Three Kings : At the end of these holidays comes the day dedicated to children . On 6 January or Three Kings Day , is the day that children receive gifts that have been waiting for the entire holiday . Yesterday afternoon can see the Cavalcade of the Magi, to greet the kings who walk the streets , and ask for gifts.

Christmas in Japan 

With the arrival of Christmas, Japanese cities are filled with lights (even more ) and shops make a killing in the country shopping paradise .

The shops and department stores Christmas dress , adopting the Western image of the holidays , Christmas trees , wreaths , gifts, etc ...

Christmas in Japan has a commercial aspect.

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Who do the Japanese spend ?

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Christmas in Japan has is focused on children and especially young couples . Christmas Eve has always been synonymous with "Romantic Evening " and is not a religious event, as Western countries.

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However, there is a survey shows that young people do not really celebrate it with their partners as much as it seems. This year, 25 % of Japanese spend Christmas Eve with their partner, 23% will go home alone ( many young people living alone ) because they have no boyfriend / girlfriend , or because their friends work ... work ? If ,on Christmas Day is not a holiday in Japan! Only 31 % will be with his family.

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The survey also revealed that half of the Japanese do not give too much importance to Christmas. They are rather the media and commercial shops that care about the holiday spirit. Moreover, as this year Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday , it is harder to meet someone to celebrate

Christmas in Japan  Among those who celebrate it, the most important tradition is also eating chicken or turkey , eat Christmas cake . According to the

survey Recruit , almost 44.3 % of Japanese eat cake. And are the girls who most enjoy this dessert , many say they will take it alone , at home, to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere .

 Regarding couples , there are some who , one month in advance , start booking the most romantic restaurants and hotels to celebrate

Christmas Eve. The hotel rooms this celebration leverage and increase their prices by five.

 Gifts are also important at Christmas : in families , among friends and between couples. However, it is not usually exchanged between

family members, as in Western countries . The most desired among young girls gifts are accessories such as necklaces or rings , and among boys watches, scarves and wallets.

 For those without family , Christmas Eve is a lonely night. Also online are romantic messages like " dream sites to visit with your partner

" or worse, banners reminding them how alone they are , " going to spend Christmas Eve alone ? " ( usually companies " buscaparejas ").

 It is normal and not feel pressured , so appeared an online community called "Hi- mote NSN " ( not having success with women / men),

where singles are encouraged to each other not to feel sad and have their frustrating experiences with the opposite sex . This community has a rule : If you find your partner, you must leave the community. Is very successful in Christmas and recently a meeting was held to celebrate that there are more than 3000 people. The motto was: You have to go out for dating