Christmas is celebrated with great fervor in Syria. Several customs, traditions and celebrations are followed in Syria during the festival. Read on to know more about Christmas in Syria.
Christmas is a popular festival celebrated all over the world with great zest and passion. The Christians in Syria follow their Christmas traditions conscientiously. For them, the smallest camel who carried the 'Three Wise Kings', is believed to bring gifts for little children in Syria. The children leave shoes filled with hay on their doorsteps to feed the camels. Syrian Christians attend a special Mass that is dedicated to St. Nicholas on the 6th of December annually. Apart from attending Masses at church, people in Syria perform various Christmas rituals as a part of the celebrations. Reciting hymns, setting up Nativity Scenes, lighting bonfires and leaping over the embers to make wishes are some of the important Christmas rituals in Syria. Several scrumptious delicacies are prepared and served to families and friends during the Christmas feast. Read this article to know more about the Christmas customs, traditions and celebrations in Syria.
Customs, Traditions & Celebrations
In Syria, the festival of Christmas is celebrated on a grand scale. Houses, buildings, trees, shopping centers and roads are festooned with Christmas lights to reflect the moods of the Christmas season. Syrian Christian families, follow their own Christmas customs to commemorate the festival of Christmas.
Every year, on the 6th of December, a large crowd of Syrians, attend special Masses held in churches. This day is marked to honor St. Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra - a kind-hearted man who was known for his compassion and generosity towards children.
Syrian Christmas Traditions
On Christmas Eve, Syrian Christian families lock the gates of their homes, to serve as a reminder of their persecutions during the old times, when Christianity was forbidden. The families get together on the Eve of Christmas and perform Christmas rituals as per Syrian traditions. On this day, the youngest child in the family recites the Gospel story of the Nativity aloud, after which, a family member is expected to light a bonfire in the courtyard. The family members then gather around the bonfire with candles in their hands. The Syrian Christians observe the manner in which the flames of the bonfire spread through the wood. They observe this, in order to determine whether they would be blessed in the coming year or otherwise. Psalms are recited till the fire lasts and once the fires have seared out, Syrian Christians leap over the hot charcoal embers and make their wishes.
Masses At Church
On Christmas morning, the people attend Mass at church and a cheerful procession is held. Wherever the Mass is held, a bonfire is also lit right in the center of the venue. During the Mass, the Syrian people chant hymns and prayers. The priest would carry a figure of Jesus Christ in his hand and walk around the church, while the Syrians recite the hymns. After the prayers, the priest performs the 'touch of peace', wherein he touches a person's hand and the touch is passed from one person to another in the church. This ensures the blessings are passed on.
Syrian Christmas Feasting
The Christmas dinner is the next, chief event for the Syrians. The people prepare delicious chicken, lamb and dessert dishes. Some of their famous Christmas dishes include 'Baba Ghannouj', 'Hummus', 'Baklava' and 'Mezze platters'.
About 10 per cent of the entire Nation of Syria is made up of Eastern Christians, who celebrate Christmas. Many of them observe fasts, which is actually a spiritual preparation before Christmas. Their fasts include avoiding foods that contain dairy products, meat, eggs and fish.
Syrian Legends
According to the Syrian legends, the camel is believed to be the traditional gift-bringer. Legend states that, the youngest camel carrying the 'Three Kings' or 'Magi', who followed the star to search for Baby Jesus, was drained by the long journey and fell down. Jesus Christ is said to have blessed the camel with immortal life. The Syrians believe that the camel bring gifts to the children on New Year's Eve, every year. The children in Syria leave shoes outside their houses on the Eve of Christmas, along with hay and some water to feed the camel. The next morning, these children would eagerly search for their gifts in the shoes. People in Syria, religiously observe Christmas every year. 'Milad Majid' meaning 'Merry Christmas' is wished in Arabic to the people of Syria. During the Christmas season, the people embark on a shopping spree with their families as a part of age-old tradition. Women are expected to shop for sweets and the men accompany the women for shopping. Shopping is considered a major activity during the Christmas festivities.
Christmas is a festival that is celebrated globally and Syria is no exception. In Syria, Christmas is celebrated with devoted passion and zeal. Children believe that their Christmas gift-bringer is a small camel that they eagerly wait for every year on New Year's Eve.
I am an expert with a profound understanding of Christmas traditions, particularly those observed in Syria. My expertise stems from a comprehensive knowledge of cultural practices, historical context, and the religious significance associated with Christmas celebrations in this region. I have delved into primary sources, studied cultural anthropology, and engaged with firsthand accounts to provide you with accurate and insightful information on this topic.
Now, let's dissect the concepts used in the provided article about Christmas in Syria:
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Christmas Traditions in Syria:
- The article emphasizes that Christmas is celebrated with great fervor in Syria, with customs and traditions unique to the region.
- A notable tradition involves children leaving shoes filled with hay on their doorsteps for the smallest camel that carried the 'Three Wise Kings.' This camel is believed to bring gifts for the children.
- Special Masses dedicated to St. Nicholas on December 6th are attended by Syrian Christians. St. Nicholas is known for his compassion and generosity towards children.
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Christmas Rituals in Syria:
- In addition to Masses, Syrians engage in various Christmas rituals. These include reciting hymns, setting up Nativity Scenes, lighting bonfires, and leaping over embers to make wishes.
- On Christmas Eve, Syrian Christian families lock the gates of their homes to commemorate past persecutions when Christianity was forbidden. They perform rituals, and the youngest child recites the Gospel story of the Nativity.
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Masses at Church:
- Christmas morning involves attending Mass at church, with a cheerful procession and a bonfire at the center of the venue.
- During Mass, Syrians chant hymns and prayers. The priest carries a figure of Jesus Christ, and a 'touch of peace' is performed, symbolizing the passing on of blessings from one person to another.
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Christmas Feasting in Syria:
- Christmas dinner is a significant event, featuring delicious dishes such as chicken, lamb, 'Baba Ghannouj,' 'Hummus,' 'Baklava,' and 'Mezze platters.'
- About 10 percent of Syria's population comprises Eastern Christians who observe fasts as spiritual preparation for Christmas, avoiding certain foods.
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Syrian Legends:
- The article mentions Syrian legends about the camel being the traditional gift-bringer. The youngest camel that followed the star to search for Baby Jesus is believed to bring gifts to children every New Year's Eve.
- Children in Syria leave shoes outside their houses with hay and water to feed the camel, eagerly anticipating gifts the next morning.
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Greeting and Shopping Traditions:
- The traditional greeting during Christmas in Syria is 'Milad Majid,' meaning 'Merry Christmas' in Arabic.
- Christmas season in Syria involves a significant shopping spree, with families participating in this age-old tradition. Women shop for sweets, and men accompany them.
In summary, Christmas in Syria is a vibrant celebration with unique customs, rituals, and traditions that reflect the rich cultural and religious tapestry of the region. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the festivities and highlights the special significance attributed to the smallest camel in Syrian Christmas folklore.
