Christmas from the World: Hong Kong

 Christmas decorations in the Central business district

Cómo celebran la Navidad o estas fechas en otros lugares del mundo, varios colegas de todas partes del mundo me compartieron esta interesante información.

Christmas from the World: Hong Kong

I have received this information from my colleagues around the world which is very interesting to learn about and share:

Thank you for the Christmas greetings from many of you.  May I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2012.

Hong Kong is a busy city of the east meeting the west.  Christmas is more of a commercial festivity yet give time for family and friends to get together.
My Christmas is centered around the midnight mass and because of the volume of church goers for this special gathering, I normally have to wrap myself up warmly and attend the mass outdoors, watching a large screen. 

It is fun to walk around the nicely decorated office buildings and shopping malls during this holiday season, to feel the happy spirit and make good use of the holiday to have some quality time with the family.

Christmas at Hong Kong Disneyland  

Christmas decorations on office buildings along the harbour front 

Links:

Christmas in Hong Kong

Christmas from the World: Chinese Lunar New Year (Chun Jie)

Cómo celebran la Navidad o estas fechas en otros lugares del mundo, varios colegas de todas partes del mundo me compartieron esta interesante información.

Christmas from the World:Chinese Lunar New Year (Chun Jie)

I have received this information from my colleagues around the world which is very interesting to learn about and share.

In China, we don't celebrate Christmas, instead we celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year (Chun Jie),this is a picture of a traditional feast on the new year's eve......
 

Links:

Christmas in China 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

Christmas from the World: Nollaig Shona - "Christmas Greetings!" from Ireland

Cómo celebran la Navidad o estas fechas en otros lugares del mundo, varios colegas de todas partes del mundo me compartieron esta interesante información.

Nollaig Shona - "Christmas Greetings!" from Ireland

I have received this information from my colleagues around the world which is very interesting to learn about and share.

 

 

 

 

 

Nollaig Shona - "Christmas Greetings!" from Ireland

In Ireland, late fall is the time of the year to make the house ready for the upcoming holiday celebrations. An Irish home is cleaned top to bottom, and special holiday linens would be brought out of storage. Olden days in Ireland would see the home being white washed and general repairs to the home. Once all is clean it is ready for festive Christmas decorating!

Irish Celtic Traditions

No Irish home would be complete without the holly. Holly with its glossy green leaves and festive red berries are perfect for holiday decorating. At Christmas in Ireland, holly was used to decorate the entire house. A spray was placed over the door as well as on the mantle, around picture frames, among the plates on the cupboard, as candle rings and in other areas of the home. Gifts of holly boughs were also given to neighbors. One charming folklore superstition was that the fairy folk would come in out of the cold to find shelter in the holly branches.

To the Celtics holly represented both life and rebirth, the evergreen leaves symbolized life during a time when all else was bare and the red berries represented the coming of Spring. With the coming of Christianity to Ireland the berries took on a new meaning, new life in Christ.

Irish Food

The Christmas cooking would start early with the making of the plum pudding, breads and spiced beef. A traditional Irish Christmas meal might consist of roasted goose or roasted Turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, sausages, and puddings. Spiced beef is often eaten sliced cold with fresh bread in the days after the main feast.

Irish Hospitality
Hospitality is abundant in Ireland and it is reflected in many holiday customs. A lighted candle would be placed in the window as a welcome beacon for both traveler and wandering priest. The candle is placed in the window on Christmas eve to signify the welcome the Holy family looking for shelter. Another aspect of Irish hospitality is seen after the Christmas meal. The doors are left unlocked and the table is set with bread and milk for travelers who might come in the night after seeing the welcome of the lighted candle in the window.

The 12 Days of Christmas

The twelve days of Christmas are celebrated between the birth of Christ, December 26 and the Epiphany,(coming of the Magi) January 6. A small gift would be given on each day during this time. The 12 days of Christmas included many festivities including parties and the visiting of friends, family and neighbours. Twelfth night would be the end of the celebrations and the day that holiday decorations were taken down.
 

An Irish Christmas Blessing

The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Una bendición de Navidad (Irlanda)

La luz de la estrella de Navidad para ti

El calor del hogar y la chimenea para ti

El cariño y la buena voluntad de los amigos para ti

La esperanza de un corazón como de niño para ti

La alegría de miles de ángeles para ti

El amor del hijo de Dios y la Paz de Dios para ti.

Links:

Christmas in Ireland

Christmas from the World: México

Cómo celebran la Navidad o estas fechas en otros lugares del mundo, varios colegas de todas partes del mundo me compartieron esta interesante información.

Christmas from the World: Posadas in Mexico

I have received this information from my colleagues around the world which is very interesting to learn about and share.

 

Thank you for all the good wishes, and more for sharing this very interesting information from your cultures and own countries, It's a pleasure to read about it and learn.

In México we celebrate "La Navidad" (Christmas) with many parties called "posadas" where you do some

Christian prayings, but also games and food for the kids, We have the traditional "piñatas" which we hang from a tree and we filled them with candies, fruit and toys, so the kids will have to break it to could get the presents.

In México we say: ¡Feliz Navidad y un Feliz Año Nuevo! (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)

Some pictures regarding it. Hope you like it.

 Piñata

Traditional "Posada"

 Traditional Mexican dinner for Christmas.

Fotos: México Desconocido

 

Video: Canción para pedir posada

Christmas from the world - Denmark /Dinamarca

Cómo celebran la Navidad o estas fechas en otros lugares del mundo, varios colegas de todas partes del mundo me compartieron esta interesante información.

I have received this information from my colleagues around the world which is very interesting to learn about and share.

Desde Dinamarca / From Denmark

I wish you some nice Christmas holidays and a fantastic New Year !
What most people eat in Denmark the 24th of December:
Roasted duck with apple/prawn stuffing, gravy, boiled potatoes, caramel roasted potatoes and sour/sweet red cabbage

Read about traditions from all over the world here;
http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm

Christmas decorated Tivoli in Copenhagen: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9689kbVHQKg&feature=player_embedded#!

My favourite Christmas carol: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKOgdhv7FJA&feature=related

Christmas from the World: Winter Solstice Festival - CHINA

Cómo celebran la Navidad o estas fechas en otros lugares del mundo, varios colegas de todas partes del mundo me compartieron esta interesante información.

Christmas from the World: Winter Solstice Festival - CHINA

I have received this information from my colleagues around the world which is very interesting to learn about and share.

Links: Solsticio de Invierno- http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solsticio_de_invierno