Hi all, well all the other Christmas threads were moved and I'm not sure why. However I wanted to make a thread that shows how different countries in ME/NA celebrate this most blessed holiday. Please feel free to add what you do to celebrate.

Egypt

Traditional Christmas Greeting: "Merry Christmas," "Joyeux Noel" in French, and "I'D Miilad Said Oua Sana Saida" in Arabic
Location: Africa
Tree Type: Cultural

Decorations: Egypt's tree at the Museum is designed to reflect both the ideals of the Coptic Church and Egyptian culture. The pyramids represent Egypt's antiquity while the ankh, the ancient Egyptian symbol for life, represents the blending of modernity and old customs in today's Egypt. The ankh also serves as a symbol of the cross for the Coptic Church, which follows the eastern rites of Christianity. It and the images of saints found on the Museum's Egyptian tree are traditional symbols of the Coptic Church.

Traditions: Christmas is preceded by forty days of fasting for strict members of the Coptic Church. Christians abstain from eating any kinds of animal products including meat, poultry and dairy during the month of December.

When Christmas Eve comes on the 6th of January, people go to church for the evening service dressed in new clothes and find hundreds of candles illuminating the building in honor of the candles Joseph lit to keep the Virgin Mary from catching cold on the night of the Nativity. At the conclusion of the service, the sound of bells tells families that their fasts are over and they make their way home for the traditional meal of fata (rice, garlic and boiled meat) and qurban (a biscuits marked with a cross and 12 dots representing Jesus' disciples).

Christmas morning is a time for visiting friends and family and for sharing a shortbread called kaik and a drink called shortbat. Egyptian celebrations of Christ's birth and the time the Holy Family spent in Egypt conclude that evening as families reflect on the Christmas season.


Lebanon
Traditional Christmas Greeting: "Joyeux Noel" (French), "I'D Miilad Said Oua Sana Saida" (Arabic)
Location: Middle East
Tree Type: Non-Traditional / Non-Cultural


Decorations:

The decorations are white to convey the hope for peace in their land.
About two weeks before Christmas the Lebanese plant seeds such as chickpeas, wheat grains, beans and lentils in cotton wool. They water the seeds every day and by Christmas the seeds have shoots about 6 inches in height. People use the shoots to surround the manger in nativity scenes. Nativity figures are made from brown paper. A star is placed above the Nativity scene.

Lebanon is the only mid eastern country that celebrates Christmas as an official holiday. On Christmas Eve the family attends midnight mass. Papa Noel either drops gifts off at church or he makes a personal appearance at the home. The gifts for the children consist of candy and clothes. On Christmas Day a holiday dinner of turkey, roast duck Lebanese salad (Tabouleh) and pastries such as a honey cake (Baklava) or Buche de Noel is served.

Traditionally people visit friends on Christmas morning and are offered coffee, liqueurs and sugared almonds. Lunch at Christmas is the most important meal of the season and the whole family gathers together for it, usually at grandparents or the eldest son's home. The meal consists of chicken and rice, and crushed boiled wheat (bulghur) mixed with meat, onion, salt and pepper (Kubbeh). On New Years day the Lebanese people open their houses for relatives and friends to visit.

SyriaSyria is in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey. Other neighbors include Iraq, Jordan and Israel.

On Christmas Eve, the outer gates of the homes of Syrian Christians are locked as a reminder of the years of persecution when all worship had to be hidden. Carrying lighted candles, the family prepares a bonfire in the courtyard. The youngest son reads the Gospel story of the Nativity and the father lights the fire. All gather around to observe the particular way that the fire spreads through the wood as it will determine the luck of the household for the coming year. The family sings psalms while the bonfire rages and, when it finally dies down, they make wishes while they take turns jumping over the embers.

Early on Christmas morning, there is a pre-dawn Mass. A bonfire in the center of the churchyard provides light for a joyous procession where the image of the Christ Child is carried around the church, both inside and outside the building.

Syrian children receive gifts at Epiphany from a very original source, the Smallest Camel of the Wise Men. Legend tells that the Wise Men traveled in a caravan with many camels on their way to Bethlehem. The smallest camel was exhausted by the long journey but refused to give up, his desire to see the Christ Child was so great. When the infant Jesus saw the faith and resolve of this loving creature, he blessed it with immortality. Every year the Smallest Camel visits the children with gifts for those who have been good. It is thought that they learn the importance of even the most insignificant of us from example set by the camel.

Traditions from other nations are making inroads in Syria. In this photo of Hamidiyeh Souk in Damascus, shoppers can find all kinds of Christmas tree decorations along with red stockings to hang up on Christmas Eve.

JordanIT'S THE season to be jolly, and signs of the Christmas spirit can be seen throughout Jordan. From the festive Christmas trees and gingerbread houses decorating hotel lobbies to the glimpses of Santa Clause, the festivities have begun.

No matter what activities are planned this Christmas, Jordan promises it will be one to be remembered. The aroma of fresh baked gingerbread cookies and the sounds of Christmas carols will delightfully bring in the new year.

One of the unique features of Christmas in Jordan is that the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated on three different occasions. The different sectors of Christianity in Jordan celebrate it in their unique way, making the entire month filled with joyous activities and festivities. On 24-25 December the western style Christmas is celebrated in Amman while a traditional Middle Eastern Christmas is celebrated in outer villages.

During 6-7 January, the Greek Orthodox celebrate their Christmas with the community. On 18 January, the Armenian community hold their ceremonies. As a result, Christmas in Jordan and the Palestinian region is an extended season that captures the whole community.

At the same time, the many different Christian communities add a different flavor to Christmas celebrations. The American embassy share their traditional way of celebrating with the Jordanian community. On 15 December, they held an open reception with Christmas treats followed by a concert from the Blues Moon Band. The French community also add their traditional Christmas celebrations to the community hosting a number of activities to participate in the festivities. The German community in Jordan started one of their traditional rituals which includes lighting a candle four weeks in advance and maintaining the count-down until the arrival of Christmas.

Another distinguishing feature of a Jordanian Christmas is that it is near to the original place of the birth of Christ- Bethlehem. This adds a historical significance to the celebrations in Jordan. Many Christians in the community choose the option of spending the special religious occasion where Christmas originally started. A tour of Bethlehem and Beit Sahoor make spending the holidays in the Holy Land a monumental experience.

In Amman, the Christmas celebration started in early December. Local shops host Santa Clause, and the bigger shops offer children the chance to have their photo taken. The sounds of Christmas carols sung by young students can be heard in the streets and in hotel lobbies.

Many hotels are organizing intricate and fun-filled Christmas programs, making sure that adults and children alike participate in the many activities. Getting into the spirit of Christmas, Jordan's Inter.Continental Hotel provided complimentary Gluhwein, hot chocolate, pudding, minced pies, and other goodies during their Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Meanwhile, starting 18 December, Marriott hotel assures all children that Santa is available to hear their Christmas lists and have their pictures taken. Especially for adults, Forte Grand had Austrian musicians flown in to provide traditional Christmas carols, with a full promotion of food, schnapps, and beer.

Hotels are not the only ones providing options to spend the Christmas season in Amman. This year the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) have contributed to the spirit of Christmas. The YWCA has also planned a Christmas agenda for the community, families, and friends.

In preparation for the season, YWCA held a Christmas Sweets and Cake Bake Sale at the end of November. The bake sale was organized by the Student's Loan Committee and held in Mrs Daniel Khouri's home in Abdoun. All proceeds were donated to the fund for educational loans. In addition, YWCA's own Association Band presented their annual Classical Music Concert between 5-8 December. They performed popular Christmas carols at the Royal Cultural Center. These activities served as an introduction to the many festivities to come.

Perhaps one of the most spiritual experiences of a Christmas in Jordan is the traditional village celebrations. The magic of celebrating the birth so near the historical place of Bethlehem adds to the overall beauty of the festivities. These traditions have remained an intricate part of Jordanian Christian villages, and have remained unchanged for centuries. In a traditional Jordanian Christmas, there is no Christmas trees and stockings. The spirituality of Christmas is emphasized in one of the rituals which entails visiting the graves of ancestors on the morning of Christmas. Members of the family present coffee and sweets at the grave, as a sign of respect and remembrance of their forefathers. The ceremony is followed by families and friends exchanging visits and children receiving gifts.

Throughout Jordan the many different options to celebrate the season promise a merry Christmas. Jordan offers a unique glimpse into one of the most celebrated holidays in the world.

JP

Palestine - Eid El-Burbara (Celebrated in Jordan and other ME/NA countries as well)

With the destruction of the remains of the shrine of Saint Barbara in Aboud, the last vestiges of this legendary figure in the Holy Land have been destroyed. But many people in Palestine do not know the feast known as Eid El-Burbara, celebrated on December 16th every year, is actually the feast of Saint Barbara. Traditionally, a sweet pudding-like dish known as burbara is prepared by women all over the country. The pudding consists of shelled and cooked kernels of wheat seasoned to taste with sugar, cinnamon, fennel and anis and decorated with dried, seedless raisins.

The legend of Saint Barbara is, perhaps not surprisingly, related to martyrdom. Known as a virgin martyr, Barbara's name does not appear in St. Jerome's (AD 340-420) martyrology. However, the Orthodox tradition has her down as martyr since the sixth century, when the Byzantine Church of Saint Barbara is believed to have been built in Aboud. It was during the 9th century that stories of legendary acts ascribed to Saint Barbara were included in the collection of Symeon Metaphrastes. According to both local folklore in Aboud and the written narratives by church historians, Barbara was the daughter of a wealthy Roman named Dioscorus. Local Aboud lore has it that she fell in love with an early Christian and converted in secrecy. Her father, a pagan, the story goes, had her put to death when she refused to recant. In the more westernised version of this story, her father first has her shut up in a tower with only two windows, which she secretly converted to three as a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Her father has her dragged before the courts after she confessed to her conversion and had her tortured in prison. Her father, or so the story goes, was killed by lightening after beheading his daughter. Barbara was allegedly executed along with her friend and fellow Christian Juliana, who also joined the ranks of martyrs. The sick and weak came to their graves in search of comfort and healing. There is a controversy as to where Barbara's martyrdom took place. According to one legend it is in Heliopolis in Egypt while others cite Nicomedia, near Izmit, in modern Turkey.

While the facts concerning Saint Barbara are often disputed, it is quite certain that she was venerated in both the East and West as early as the seventh century. As a result of her father's death by lightening, she has often been associated with protection from the dangers of thunderstorms and fire, sudden death and later by analogy, as the protector of artillerymen and miners. When gunpowder was introduced in the Western world, Saint Barbara was invoked as a protector from accidents resulting from explosions. In those early days artillery pieces often blew up instead of firing their projectile.

In the United States military, the Order of Saint Barbara is one of high honour. Both U.S. marine and army field artillery, along with their military and civilian supporters, are eligible for membership in the Order of Saint Barbara. The ancient Order of Saint Barbara and those who are selected for this honour have achieved long-term, exceptional service to field artillery. Ordnancemen of all races and nationalities have claimed Barbara as their patron saint. To this day the powder storage rooms of warships in France are called Sainte-Barbe.

In Morocco they have these strange tall and skinny blow up santa dolls. and they say "bonne annee" but that's about it. someone in morocco told me that yesterday too, i'm not sure why?

Thank you, JP

This thread is so very important, considering that many Americans do not even realize that there is a vibrant Christian culture in the Middle East. I talk to people almost every day who have no idea that Bethlehem is in the Palestinian West Bank, and that much of its population are Palestinian Christians. And unfortunately, most have no idea of what is being done to destroy these people and their heritage.

I have to say: Conditions are very bad in Bethlehem. When I last visited the city just before Christmas in 2004 -- what should be peak tourist season -- it was nearly empty of visitors. I saw just 3 tourists inside the Church of the Nativity. This town absolutely depends on tourism for its livelihood, but its once bustling hotels, restaurants and shops are now nearly deserted.

The Wall has almost finished its work of sealing off the city, and the few tour buses that enter now are Israeli-run day trips, which come for only a few hours, and quickly herd their customers to only a few selected souvenir stalls on the road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, completely avoiding most of the shops in the city center around the Church of the Nativity.

The people of Bethlehem have reached the point of desperation, and anyone who has the chance to leave usually will. Soon -- unless the Christian people of America take action to push their government to demand a change in Israeli policies -- soon, for the first time in 2000 years, there will be no Christians left in the town where Jesus was born.





http://www.cjme.org/bethlehem05/

If you want to help, you can. Write your congress reps and senators, and let them know of your concerns. If you are a member of a Christian Church, ask what your church is doing to help support peace and relieve the suffering in the Holy Land. There are many faith-based organizations, as well as secular groups, which provide much needed assistance to those who need it the most.

Wow MK! Thanks for that! I love to read about how others celebrate. Does anyone have info for your spouses countries?

I thought these were cool


A THRONG OF PILGRIMS ENTERING BETHLEHEM ON CHRISTMAS DAY.


Old photo - Church of the Nativity


Newer Photo - Church of the Nativity

I'm going to read all of this....

Why though would it be bad to put this in Off Topic? I think it's nice to share these things with the rest of the community....

Thank you for interest Rebecca, you are welcome to come to ME/NA anytime to read the threads, Why would it be necessary to be moved to off topic? This is directly related to ME/NA and I would prefer this thread to stay as I don't frequently go into other parts of VJ. However anyone is more than welcome to come and read it here.

It's not necessary but it would be nice. More people would see it in OT. I think threads like this are always well received over there.

Well anyone is more than welcome to come here and read it but I prefer to stay out of OT these days as much as possible.

JP do they have christmas songs in arabic?
If so maybe a thread could be made for christmas music in arabic

I see you found them! Next week I will be making Ca'ek and Mamoul for Christmas. I will be sure to post photos of the finished result so all of you can drool over them

Iran

Christmas in Iran is known as the Little Feast. For the first 25 days of December, a great fast is observed, during which no meat, eggs, milk, or cheese is eaten. It is a time of peace and meditation; a time for attending services at the church. When the fast is over, the feast is begun, for plenty of meat is prepared for the Christmas dinner.

Christmas Eve is the last day of the fast. Almost before dawn on Christmas Day, the people attend Mass to receive Communion and it is not until they have received this Communion that they are permitted to break fast.

The boys and girls of Iran have never heard of Santa Claus, so they do not exchange gifts at Christmas. But they do receive new clothes, which they proudly wear all during the happy Christmas week.

A dish eaten for Christmas day is a kind of chicken stew. It is cooked in large quantities and lasts several days.

Bethlehem

In Bethlehem the town where Jesus is said to have been born is the site of the Church of the Nativity, which is ablaze with flags and decorations on every Christmas. On Christmas Eve natives and visitors alike crowd the church's doorways and stand on the roof to watch for the dramatic annual procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. They are followed by solitary horseman carrying a cross and sitting astride a coal-black steed, then comes the churchmen and government officials. The procession solemnly enters the doors and places an ancient effigy of the Holy Child in the Church. Deep winding stairs lead to a grotto where visitors find a silver star marking the site of the birth of Jesus.

Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star is set up on a pole in the village square.

Holy Land

Christmas in the Holy Land where Christ is believed to have been born is often full of travelers come to celebrate Christmas. Here in a grotto there is a 14-pointed Silver Star on the floor is where the birthplace is supposed to have been.

There are three Christmas Eves in the Holy Land. One on the 24th December celebrated by the Protestant and Catholic Churches. The second for the Greek Orthodox, Coptic (Egyptian) and Syrian churches. The third is the Armenian Church. At times, all three services are going on at the same time, but, in different parts of the church, as well as in different languages. For lunch they eat turkey, spiced with pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg and stuffed with rice, meat,, pine nuts and almonds.

Early in the evening, members of the Protestant church groups would go around singing carols. On Christmas morning children would open their presents before breakfast. After breakfast Protestant people would go to church, and visit friends to wish them a happy Christmas.

The Catholic Church priests would come a bless water from which all members of the family would take a sip.

The member of the Greek Orthodox Church Epiphany is very important. They have a special church service at which a cross was dipped into water to bless it. People would take the water home with them drink three sips before eating anything.


Iraq

In the Christian homes an unusual ceremony is held in the courtyard of the home on Christmas Eve. One of the children in the family reads the story of the Nativity from an Arabic Bible. The other members of the family hold lighted candles, and as soon as the story has been read a bonfire is lit in one corner of the courtyard. The fire is made of dried thorns and the future of the house for the coming year depends upon the way the fire burns. If the thorns burn to ashes, the family will have good fortune. While the fire is burning, a psalm is sung. When the fire is reduced to ashes, everyone jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.

On Christmas day a similar bonfire is built in the church. While the fire burns the men of the congregation chant a hymn. The there is a procession in which the officials of the church march behind the bishop, who carries an image of the infant Jesus upon a scarlet cushion. The long Christmas service always ends with the blessing of the people. The bishop reaches forth and touches a member of the congregation with his hand, putting his blessing upon him. That person touches the one next him, and so on, until all have received "the Touch of Peace."

If it wouldn't offend anyone, I would like to copy the link that MK posted and place it in OFF TOPIC.

It is an intersting read.

Mary K.

Santas in Marrakech

cute

Not Christmas, but a History of Christians in Iran

and pictures of churches in Iran

We were in Cairo between Christmases a few years back - arrived the 26th, left the 5th. So, we didn't witness much of anything in the way of celebrations. There were a few christmassy trees around Cairo, and the street venders were selling christmassy trinkets.

I was in Egypt last year during Christmas time. There were some Christmas decorations but not much in the way of celebrating that I saw. I was at a nightclub in Alex for New Year's Eve and they played Christmas music mixed with dance music. That was cute. The Christmas tree at the embassy was HUGE.

LOL so cute.




I would just love to go back home during Christmas.

Palestinian family lighting candles in the Church of the Nativity


Palestinian mother & son walking by Church of the Nativity


Decorating Manger Square in Bethlehem


Armenian Christmas celebration


Christian boy in Ramallah


Street vendors, Bethlehem


Palestinian girls, Bethlehem


Palestinian girl lighting candles in the Church of the Nativity


Christmas and The Wall, Bethlehem

Absoulutly Beautiful MK

Thanks MK for the nice pictures of Palestine and how they celebrate christmas. I am going to go there yet/someday.

Anmar said in his neighborhood in Jordan the christians decorate their houses with lights. You can see Santas on the street ringing a bell. He even sent me a christmas card last year and it was homemade
I remember the first times I went to Jordan. He would point out and say there is a church, that is a christian village. There is another church. Always pointing out christian things to me He even asked me if a wanted to go to church because he would ask his neighbors to take me. I was too shy, but now I wished I did go.

Angel

I actually got to go to the church where my parents were married in Jordan. It was soo awesome.

I am ready to Christmas shop!!!!! Sucks that i have to work on Friday though!!

Anyone else ready??

I cut down my list alot this year. Not much shopping to do at all, thankfully. However I am usually a last minute shopper. I like to go out the week of Christmas when the store are open really late. That is the most productive time to shop for me

I Christmas

Some more pics:

Palestinian Christian child, Bethlehem:


Christmas Day Skyline - Old City, Jerusalem:

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Palm Sunday, Bethlehem:


Little Girls and Santa Claus:


Shepherd's Fields:


Sweeping Up, Church of the Nativity:


UN Worker dressed as Santa, giving out treats to Palestinian children, outside the Church of the Nativity


Re-enactment of Joseph and Mary's entrance to Bethlehem prevented at checkpoint:


Settlement outside Bethlehem:


Church of the Nativity:

Nice pics, Wife of Mahmoud!

Last time I was in Bethlehem (early 2000) it was absolutely gorgeous!

It was safe too, until some genius decided to play the intifada game with Sharon.

Things went downhill soon afterwards (Nativity Church siege, anyone?)

I don't think this is the time nor the place to start a debate about this. Thanks!

Ok

A few more....

Christmas sunset, Jerusalem:



Palestinian child lighting candles, Church of the Nativity:



Palestinian man, getting ready for Christmas procession, Bethlehem:



Midnight Mass, Church of the Nativity



Palestinian children dressed as Santa Claus



Christmas Falafel, Bethlehem



Nuns, Priest at the Grotto, Church of the Nativity:



Star, Grotto of the Nativity:



Christmas Liturgy, Church of the Nativity:



View of Jerusalem from the Church of Dominus Flevit:

Beautiful pictures!

Thanks for sharing.

I think Hicham really likes the cultural aspect of Christmas... or what I mean is that non religious aspect haha such as presents and chocolate and cookies.

He can't wait to open his advent calander!

thats great!!! I can just see it!!!

This holiday is actually celebrated on the 4th by the Greek Orthodox. We did this yesterday, my Grams made Burbara and my whole family came over for it. It was alot of fun and so yummy!!!

cool thread folks!

Daniel

Interesting stuff about St. Barbara, JP!!

Glad the burbara was good, LOL!!! Sounds a bit like cream of wheat

Its very similar but the wheat is cooked whole. I have some sitting next to me, afternoon snack lol.

And you aren't sharing???

wow JP that picture looks pretty cool. Always like those jordanian blue skies they make the pictures look awesome I have a few.

Well today we went christmas shopping. As always spent a lot of money, but we had fun doing it. Both me and Anmar wanted to buy christmas gifts for each other but of course we couldn't because then we would know what we bought each other, so now i have to go look for something unexpected for him. I should just have him do a christmas list seemed like he wanted a lot of things for christmas.

Thanks! I absoulutly fell in love with this photo when I saw it. My assistant sent it to me. At first I said ohhh I went there and stayed quiet. Then she kept looking at me and said don't you see the sheep???? I didn't even notice them, it looks so normal to me..

I LOVE your siggy pic, JP !!! It reminds me of the time I saw a guy galloping through downtown Ramallah on a camel.... but drat I couldn't get to the camera in time.

Here are some more scenes from the Holy Land...

Bethlehem Christmas lights:



Palestinian girl watching Christmas show, Bethlehem:



Santa with Palestinian children at the Church of the Nativity:



Tatreez (Palestinian embroidery) Christmas stocking



Palestinian children lighting candles in the Church of the Nativity:



Christmas celebration, Church of the Nativity:



Filling the lamp in the Grotto of the Nativity:



Palestinian Angel



Young Palestinian gunshot victims receive Christmas gifts:



Bethlehem inside the Wall:

Wow I am tired, got my tree up today finally, LOL. One tradition we have is building a nativity. We use cardboard, lights, paperbags, and alot of patience. It took me about 3 hours to do this one but I am quite happy with the results. We usually build it under the tree, but I tried something different this year and did it on the fireplace since we don't use it anyway.

The Nativity



Tree & Nativity

wow you made your own nativity scene so cool and looks really nice !!!

It took me and Anmar hours to put together and decorate our tree I'll snap a picture and post it.