The Christmas Story and Jesus' Birth took place in Israel long ago and you would think that no blog recognizing the traditions of Christmas would be complete without finding out what their traditions are there for this very special season, right?I am sad to say, there aren't many. It is not a public holiday for most of the country because only 2.5% of Israel are Christians. For most, Christmas is a normal working day unless it falls on a weekend and in most major cities you probably are not going to see many signs of Christmas, if any. In towns like Nazareth, it is due to the Christians that live there that do celebrate it.
Christian Churchs do hold Christmas services, of course. Carol concerts and services are held in the Church of Zion which is held on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, as well as some other areas. And some Jewish Isralies are beginning to attend these concerts. Also, the YMCA in Jerusalem holds a Christmas bazaar and a Christmas Eve concert and sing0-a-long.
In Nazareth where Jesus grew up, resides the largest population of Christians. And they do display lots of outdoor lights and in their street markets to celebrate Christmas and the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. They have a parade on Christmas Eve that represents the journey that Mary and Joseph made from Nazareth to Bethelem in the Christmas story and it ends at the Church of the Annunciation. Several Christian groups take part in the parade which includes local Jews as well.Jesus was born in Bethlehem of course, and it is the most famous town in Israel. And more Christmas celebrations take place there than in most of all Israel. It is in the Palestine Territories.
The traditional meat for the Christmas meal is lamb stuffed with Arabic rice mixed with ground beef and spices. Also served might be dumplings topped with meat cooked with yogurt and pine nuts. In other areas of Israel, chicken is popular stuffed with smoked green wheat and rice, In the northern towns, barbeques are traditional on Christmas Eve.
It is sad that this country is less than what we might imagine, in their Christmas celebrations due to it being the country of the birth of our Savior. However, in looking at just a couple of websites about their traditions, I found that the emphasis in the Christian community there seems to be on their services commemorating it and on the food that is served instead of all the glitter and rush to get to the holiday that we are too tired to enjoy it when we do. I would have to admit that maybe if that is the way it really is there it is, a way of celebrating that isn't that sad after all. Maybe they do have more of the right idea that we have here. I can imagine Jesus, if he were here in the flesh today, celebrating his birth feasting with family and friends instead of sitting around a Christmas tree opening elaborate gifs that we have just spent too much money for.
Maybe, it is a time to think about cutting down on what is not so important and concentrate with our families as to what is. It is a fact that America sure needs to get back to those days when the holidays were more of a simple and less elaborate time and remember why we even celebrate Christmas at all. Maybe it is indeed something we should really think about.
Yesterdays Question was The Nine Ladies Dancing, what did they mean?
Answer:
Day 9 January 2. St.Basil the Great and St Gregory Nazianzen. Two important 4th Century Christians.
Tomorrows Question: What are the Ten Lords A-Leaping?
It is hard to believe that there are only 15 days until Christmas. And harder yet to believe that this year has almost ended. I pray you are having a peaceful season amidst the hurry-hurry hub-bub rush to get everything you need to do to celebrate the most eventful and wonderful time of the year. And it isn't because of the movies on tv or the gifts we are buying or taking our kids to see Santa. It is because of our Savior and his birth into our world. That is truly the most wonderful, or at least I should say one of the two most wonderful times of the year. The other being of course, the death and resurrection of his life. Without these two events that unfolded so many years before you and I came along, we would have nothing to really be celebrating. God bless!
The 12 Days of Christmas -- Christmas Customs and Traditions -- whychristmas?com
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