Your Christmas Traditions

   Some Christmas traditions around the globe are very similar. For example in Poland, people celebrate Christmas with a formal, candle-lit Christmas Eve meal called Wigilia. The meal, which is meat-free, traditionally consists of 12 courses, one for each apostle. This meal starts with a prayer and culminating with each family member wishing everyone a joyous celebration. 

   In the Philippines, Filipinos celebrate Christmas Eve with a midnight meal called Noche Buena. Close to 12:00 in the evening, family members gather around the table, open up with a prayer, and feast on the food that usually consist of lechon, pansit, bibingka, and other traditional delicacies. After the meal, the fellowship ends with the opening of gifts. Everyone celebrates this gift-giving time and affirms the love for each other. Isn't this tradition very similar to the Polish tradition? 

  So, what Christmas traditions do you practice in your families? In my family we celebrate Christmas by spending time with each other. When we were in Taiwan, we would travel to Kenting and enjoy the sand, waves, hiking, and trips to the night market. On Christmas Eve, we would go stroll around the many interesting booths at the night market and visit a local pizza place for our meal. At midnight, we would relax in our hotel room and watch a movie together. Christmas Day, we would go to the beach and enjoy the water for a few hours. During the remaining days in Kenting, we would go hiking in the nearby forest and recreational park, eat sea food, and just enjoy quiet moments at a coffee place by the sea shore.

   Now, that we are in Illinois, we have similar practices. We still have movie time on Christmas Eve, pansit and sea food for our meals, and quiet time with each other. On Christmas Day, we would open our gifts and appreciate each other’s love and thoughtfulness. Later, we would visit Grandma and Grandpa at their place for a time of pizza, fellowship, and maybe some moments of watching football. The only difference is wearing our face masks during this time of visit.

    So, what are your Christmas traditions?