Ireland

Christmas is the one time of the year that most families like to celebrate together.  With so many people working and living away from home nowadays, Christmas is a very special time for families and friends to enjoy the many Christmas festivities.  From September onwards most shops start to sell Christmas cards (Weihnachtskarten), decorations, lights and artificial Christmas trees.  Although this might seem very early to start thinking about Christmas, some people prefer to start their Christmas shopping early to avoid the rush.  Children look forward to Father Christmas bringing the toys on Christmas Eve and in all the excitement, the true meaning of Christmas is sometimes forgotten.  Children often take part in nativity plays at school and learn about how Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem but could find no room at the inn to stay for the night.  They slept in a stable with the animals and it was here that Baby Jesus was born.  The three Kings who brought presents for the baby followed a bright Star shining in the East which led them to the stable. Shepherds watching their sheep were told by an Angel where to find the Baby Jesus and they also brought presents.  The giving and receiving of presents at Christmas is a reminder of the very first Christmas when Christ was born.

Christmas is celebrated all over the world and different countries will have their own tradition.  In Ireland the southern part of the country are mostly Catholics who pray to the Virgin Mary rather than Jesus and anyone sending a Christmas card (Weihnachtskarte) to family or friends will probably pick one that shows a picture of the Virgin Mary on it.  Irish Christmas cards are usually more religious than in England and most of the Christmas cards will show the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus.  The majority of people in the northern part of the country are Protestants who are called Orange men as they were converted by the Prince of Orange.  Whether the people are Irish Catholics or Irish Protestants their celebration at Christmas will be the same with lots of food and drink. The Churches will be full as Christmas is still regarded as a very religious time in Ireland.