Iraq Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a glorious time in the live of every individual. Every person thoroughly enjoys the time spend with his or her family and friends during Christmas. People come together to have parties and feasts with family reunions. Music, dance and food are integral parts of Christmas parties. One cannot think about Christmas without Christmas tree and decoration. The homes are decorated with evergreen twigs and wreaths with festive lights. The real or artificial Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments and tinsel. Everyone loves to participate in the decoration. Christmas has universal appeal. Christmas traditions differ from one nation to other. Christmas traditions. in Iraq are different due to the culture prevalent in the country.

Christmas in Iraq has a lot of religious significance. The number of Christians in the country is quite low. However, the Christian families come together and celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. The Iraqi Christians have quiet and simple Christmas celebration. A lot of parties are not so common feature of Christmas celebration in Iraq. On the Christmas Eve, the children read out the story of Nativity from Bible. All the family members listen to the story with lighted candles in their hands. The reading of story and gathering of family is held on the open courtyard of the house. Once the story ends, people make bonfire of thorns in the courtyard. Everyone waits till all the thorns are burnt and ash remains. The Iraqis believe that this burning will bring good fortune to the family in the coming New Year.

On the Christmas day, all the Iraqis visit the church and offer special prayers. A Christmas mass is organized in the church. A bonfire is lit in the church after the mass. The men sing hymns near the bonfire. Later, a procession is organized, which goes through the streets of the cities of Iraq. In this procession, the bishop holds the picture of infant Jesus on a red cushion and walks ahead. He is followed by a congregation. After this procession, the bishop blesses all the gathered people and touches a hand on one of the members of congregation. This is called as "Touch of Peace" as it gives the message of spreading peace everywhere.

The women get busy in preparing cakes, cookies and special dishes for Christmas. The children get a week's break from their schools. They wait for Papa Noel, who brings them gifts on Christmas Eve. Papa Noel is the Iraqi version of Santa Claus. Gifts are exchanged on Christmas day among elders. Families visit each other to wish merry Christmas. The guests are served with special food and drinks. The celebration is simple and has religious flair yet it is enjoyed by all the Iraqi Christians.