Christmas around the world 

In India, Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm from mid November to New Year. Christmas is more special because we get a chance to meet our family and friends. 

People of all age groups go to houses singing carols and dancing: “The prince of peace, our Saviour, Lord Jesus, is born; let’s rejoice in him.”  

Cookies, doughnuts, cakes and Indian traditional anarsa (biscuits), gujiya (pastries) and Saloni are made in every house. Carol singers taste the variety of foods which reflect respect toward each other and give a message to love as written in John 15:12-13. 

A crowd of 200-300 Christians walk the streets to convey the message that our Saviour Jesus Christ is born, as we were commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. Children and youths perform a skit recreating the scene of first Christmas. 

We also have sports and picnic day which unites everyone of all age groups to know each other better, love each other and live like a family. We share Christmas presents with children from poor backgrounds. 

Christmas day is called Charni Daan in India. Charni means manger and Daan means gift. From this we convey that God gifted us Jesus in manger. The manger represents humbleness: if we want Jesus to born in our heart, we have to make our self very humble and sin-free (Romans 8:10, Mark 10:41-45). 

After Christmas Day, we have Thanksgiving day, to thank God for his gift for us (John 3:16) and for his blessings in our life, health, business, farm. Whatever we received from God as blessings we present: food, fruit and vegetables, money, rice, etc. 

Deepson Masih, Bethesda Mennonite Church Champa (BGCMC), India 

Christmas around the world

Joy and love: night vigil in Kenya This tradition always reminds me of the joy and the love we have for each other as a community. Getting together to share meals and storytelling is usually the best part, but the most amazing and wonderful time is during the night vigil when one connects with Jesus though praise and worship, giving a sense of belonging and restoring one’s hope of starting anew with the birth of Christ. Read more Sharing love – with sprinkles – in Germany This tradition reminds me of the message of hope, peace, joy and love at Christmas because you can enjoy a peaceful time together with your loved ones and you can even share this love by giving Christmas cookies to others. Read more A gospel light in the USA Christmas around the world Every year on 24 December, my family goes to the Christmas Eve service at Park View Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg, Virginia). It’s a traditional ‘lessons and carols’ service, where we read the Christmas Story from Luke and sing accompanying hymns as we work our way... Read more All voices praising Jesus together in Uruguay I really love the simplicity of our Christmas parties where we meet to enjoy each other’s company and remember the one that keeps us united. Read more