VOL. XV, NO. 5
DECEMBER 21, 1973
Maria, Anthony Celebrate
Christmas in 'Different' Way
Christmas in 'Different' Way
Santa Claus, jingle bells, and decorated trees are traditional American symbols of Christmas. But if you lived in Brazil or South Africa, how would you be celebrating?
People in Brazil would wish you "Feliz Matal" instead of Merry Christmas, according to Maria Piccolo, A.F.S. student. Maria begins celebrating Christmas at her grandma's house, where her large family gathers to join in the festivities of Christmas. In starting out their celebration the family all joins together for midnight mass, for they do not forget the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
In symbolizing Christmas Maria's family has a small silver artificial tree, which they decorate with green, golden, red, and blue balls. They also put cotton on the ends of the branches to look like snow, for they have no snow in Brazil. "But in my grandma's house we have a large natural tree, which smells good; and we decorate it in the same way," commented Maria.
People in Brazil would wish you "Feliz Matal" instead of Merry Christmas, according to Maria Piccolo, A.F.S. student. Maria begins celebrating Christmas at her grandma's house, where her large family gathers to join in the festivities of Christmas. In starting out their celebration the family all joins together for midnight mass, for they do not forget the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
In symbolizing Christmas Maria's family has a small silver artificial tree, which they decorate with green, golden, red, and blue balls. They also put cotton on the ends of the branches to look like snow, for they have no snow in Brazil. "But in my grandma's house we have a large natural tree, which smells good; and we decorate it in the same way," commented Maria.
The celebration of Christmas for Anthony Lloyd is quite different from Maria's. Anthony and his family begin Christmas be attending midnight mass at Anglican Cathedral, his family's church. Greetings as in America of "Merry Christmas" are exchanged with one another, though one would say "Gelukkige Kersfees" to one of his African friends. After the service Anthony and his family would take a walk downtown to look at the display of Christmas lights put up by the city council.
Christmas in Africa is not much different from ours, except for the absence of snow. People symbolize Christmas by having Christmas trees decorated with ornaments and lights just like ours.
In Anthony's family they feast on a dinner of turkey and ham with hot steamed Christmas pudding. The dinner is then followed by a formal exchange of gifts. Anthony and his family usually spend the rest of the day ruminating in the pleasants of the day or visiting some friends.
Over Christmas vacation Maria and Anthony are looking forward to spending Christmas with their American Families and taking part in many Christmas traditions that take place in America.
Christmas in Africa is not much different from ours, except for the absence of snow. People symbolize Christmas by having Christmas trees decorated with ornaments and lights just like ours.
In Anthony's family they feast on a dinner of turkey and ham with hot steamed Christmas pudding. The dinner is then followed by a formal exchange of gifts. Anthony and his family usually spend the rest of the day ruminating in the pleasants of the day or visiting some friends.
Over Christmas vacation Maria and Anthony are looking forward to spending Christmas with their American Families and taking part in many Christmas traditions that take place in America.