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Christmas comes around the globe

AS either a Christian holiday or simply a reason to gather with family, Christmas has spread around the world from its European roots.

AS either a Christian holiday or simply a reason to gather with family, Christmas has spread around the world from its European roots.

But of course traditions are often adapted to a new environment - Christmas itself owes its heritage to much older classical and druidical rituals. Here are some of the ways people celebrate the final weeks of the year:

- GERMANY

M u c h of what we recognize as Christmas traditions originated in Germany and nearby parts of Central Europe. The Christmas tree, for one, is believed to have been handed down from the region's early Christians, who saw it as a symbol of Paradise. And although it traditionally happens on Dec. 6, German children place footwear by the fire - a shoe - and go to bed in hopes finding it filled with gifts. St. Nicholas then recalls of their sins of the past year. Good kids get delicious food; not-so-good kids get twigs.

Many traditional Western Christmas carols also originate in this region, such as Good King Wencelaus, who was a devout Bohemian duke whose good works for the poor eventually earned him sainthood.

- IRAN

Iran is much closer than Germany to the site of Jesus' believed birthplace of Bethlehem and Persia is where the Three Wise men are thought have traveled from to witness the Nativity. Although predominately a Muslim country, Iran is also home to many Christians. They begin their "Little Fast" Dec. 1, refraining from animal products until after the Dec. 25 church service. After mass they enjoy the "Little Feast," which traditionally involves a chicken stew called harasa. Gift giving is not a widespread tradition but some mark the holiday with new clothes. The "Big Fast," incidentally, is before Easter.

- JAPAN

There have been Christians in Japan since Portuguese missionaries reached the islands in 16th century. But in the modern era, Japan has embraced many aspects of Christmas as a secular holiday.

Decorating one's home, the exchange of gifts, Christmas trees and even turkey dinner are popular pastimes.

There's also a Japanese mythological figure called Hotei-osho, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Santa Claus - a portly fellow usually seen wearing red and carrying a large sack. Christmas is also part of the run-up to New Year's Day, an important time to sweep out the house and wish for the best in the coming year.

- VENEZUELA

As a predominately Catholic nation, Venezuela observes many of the same religious rituals as are seen elsewhere, and many attend daily masses from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24. In the capital city of Caracas, they have one of the more fun local Yuletime traditions - roller-skating to church on Christmas Eve. The night before, children tie a piece of string to their toes and dangle it out of the window. Passing roller-skaters give them a tug as they pass.

- AUSTRALIA

The first known celebration of Christmas Down Under was in 1788, when the continent was used as a British penal colony.

As the story goes, Governor Arthur Phillips got in the festive spirit by reducing a convicted man's lashes from 200 to 150. The holidays are a lot more upbeat these days, but Australia continues to import many of its Christmas traditions from Great Britain.

The most striking difference is, of course, that late December is the height of summer in Australia, and some concessions to the season have to be made. You're more like to find a reveler on a surfboard than in a sleigh. While sitting down with the turkey and pudding remains popular, Christmas Dinner is just as likely to be a picnic or a barbecue. There aren't a lot of fir trees to be found either, so Aussie kids look for their presents under a decorated gum tree branch.

Of course, in every country and every community, families and individuals find their own particular way of marking the occasion: borrowing and mixing traditions from past and present, near and far.

balldritt@nsnews.com