Christmas, a holiday celebrated by millions around the globe, is a time of joy and unity. In America, children eagerly wait for Santa Claus to deliver presents under beautifully decorated trees. But have you ever thought about how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world?
In South America, specifically in Venezuela, locals have a tradition of roller-skating to early morning mass during the week leading up to Christmas. It's such a popular practice that many roads are closed to cars during this festive period.
Moving to Europe, we find an interesting custom in Austria related to a figure called Krampus. Unlike jolly Santa, Krampus is a scary creature who punishes children who have been naughty- a tradition meant to encourage good behavior.
In Asia, Japan has a unique tradition. While not a Christian country, many Japanese people celebrate Christmas in a unique way by eating Kentucky Fried Chicken! This custom started with a successful marketing campaign decades ago.
Over to Africa, in Ethiopia, Christmas, also known as Ganna, is celebrated in early January. People dress in white, participate in an hours-long church service, and play a traditional game also called Ganna.
Despite these diverse traditions, the spirit of Christmas remains the same: a time to celebrate, spread joy, and come together as a community. So, whether you're eating KFC in Japan, roller-skating in Venezuela, or playing Ganna in Ethiopia, the magic of Christmas can be felt all around the world.