Christmas in Japan is quite different from our Christmas here in the US. Since there are not many Christians in Japan, it is not a so-called "religious holiday." And it is not a national holiday either. However, the Emperor's birthday is on December 23, and that is a national holiday so schools close that day, and sometimes they close Christmas day and also there is a New Year's school break so, the holiday tends to start around the 23rd. (Whew!) But businessmen treat the 25th as a regular working day.Christmas has only been celebrated in Japan for a few decades and they now have accepted the US traditions of sending Christmas cards and gifts.
Christmas Eve is more of a romantic day where couples often spend the day together to exchange gifts much like our Valentines Day here in the US. However, if you are visiting from another country on Christmas Eve in Japan, you may find it extremely hard to find a table at any restaurant there because it is very popular for young couples to have a romantic meal and restaurants on that day are very busy.
It came as a surprise to me that the Japanese often eat chicken for their meal on Christmas day but more than that, they often have Kentucky Fried Chicken that day! Orders can be placed ahead of at KFC. In 1974 there was an ad campaign for KFC and was hugely successful in selling their chicken for the Christmas meal. I guess I am just more into ham for Christmas Day because, for me, that is traditional. I live in a town where KFC is readily available all the time, should I want to get that any other day of the year. However, every country, as well as every individual family, is different and perhaps many Americans would prefer KFC as well. At least they don't have to do the dishes and that can be a real treat!
But not so fast. These cakes are often served at children's parties as well and some are beautifully decorated with trees, flowers, and other decorations. And yes, even Santa Claus. Santa Claus? Now there is another one. Suprise that is.
However, in Japan, Santa Claus is known as Mr.Santa, (the picture on the right shows one idea of their Santa, made of foil) but there is another that brings gifts that is known as a 'gift bringer' and not related to Christmas. And that is Japanese god by the name of Hoteiosho who brings good fortune.
The Japanese certainly have some different ideas and celebrations as of course all countries around the world, but I think the one that I find most difficult is that they do not celebrate it as a religious holiday. And sure, I get that many in our own country and others in the world don't either. In fact, surveys that have been done by the Pew Research Center show that just 55% of adults in the US celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Sadly the birth of Christ in our celebrations has been in a decline over the decades, as more and more of us have put aside the teachings of his birth and the teachings of our parents.
To me, celebrating Christmas as a day for a romantic interest and to eat chicken, it really is sad. The Japanese, while I do not mean to put their day down at all, sure seems very empty. Certainly devoid of all that Christ came into the world for. It makes me so thankful that I was born in this country and yet sad for those here that could care less about why he was born as well. And many that don't even believe in the "fairy tales" of the Bible. Those people are missing the very very and I mean VERY BEST PART OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON! And how sad is that for me that for some of my friends, for some of my own family members, for the world, that chooses to celebrate or maybe not to celebrate the real reason that Christmas began in the first place so long ago.
Christ was born with a job to do. A very specific and special job. His Father God employed him as the one to save this cold and dark world if you will. To make it a just a holiday whether to spend time romantically with someone and eat chicken or get up on Christmas day to unwrap gifts and eat ham without also being thankful for the real reason we should be celebrating it, is sad, and yet it is done everywhere. In many homes. In many relationships. Many years ago there was a baby born in a cave or a barn or whatever it was because there was no room for him to come into this world in a warm place. Now he wants to be in our hearts, not just on Christmas, but on every day of the year. That is why he came and that is why we truly celebrate his birth.Yesterday's symbol for the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' was 6 Geese a Laying. Did you look up their meaning? No? Well, the answer is:
Day 6 (December 30) St Edwin of Worcester
Now, who was that you might ask. And what did he have to do with 6 ladies dancing? To tell you the truth, I have no idea.
However, later this month, I hope to bring all of these ideas about this song come together for a picture of what the songwriter actually meant. And I do mean I hope, but I do think I can pull it off for you!
Tomorrows Symbol is Seven Swans Swimming. Come back to find what they meant. God bless!
(Todays sorces: Christmas Around the World,Christmas Traditions and Celebrations in Different Countries and Cultures -- whychristmas?com and Americans Say Religious Aspects of Christmas Are Declining in Public Life | Pew Research Center)
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