Staff Writer
The holiday season has arrived and the world is rich in Christmas
spirit and celebration.
It’s not always a
snowy Christmas…
In Caracas, Venezuela, the streets are closed on Christmas so
that the people can walk or roller skate to Mass.
In Brazil, many families barbecue and watch fireworks on
Christmas Eve, and enjoy Christmas day on the beach.
All the Single
Ladies…
In the Czech Republic, women submerge a cherry branch
underwater; if it blooms, they will marry within the next year.
Seasonal treats…
In the Philippines, a traditional drink during the Christmas
season is a warm ginger tea called salabat, and a traditional Christmas pastry
is a thick, flat, yellow rice cake called bibingka.
In the Netherlands, children await the arrival of Sinterklaas
(Saint Nicholas) with hopes of receiving candy and nuts.
Festive shrubbery…
Poinsettias are a native plant to Mexico, and legend has it that
they came about when a young boy placed green leaves for Jesus at the village
nativity scene, and beautiful star shaped flowers appeared on each branch.
Ancient European
Druids believed mistletoe fell from heaven and grew onto a tree that sprang
from Earth. They cut the plant with golden sickles and never let it touch the
ground.
Artwork by junior Maya Horton.
