From my earliest years, I remember “Christmas Around the World” prominently in my childhood. Our family began decorating in the fall. While most moms browsed magazines, my mother studied Christmas books. Daddy even enrolled her in a special club, The World Book Collection’s “Christmas Around the World” series.
"You've Got Mail!"
The encyclopedic volumes stacked up, with names like Christmas in the Holy Land and Christmas in Scandinavia. Each fall, Mom celebrated when that newest volume arrived in the mail. After we had gone to bed, she pored over the photographs, text, and recipes of that country’s traditions.
Not only did she study customs of different lands, she incorporated them into our family celebrations. My sisters, brother, and I sat around the kitchen table in the midst of craft supplies and Christmas nonfiction. She told stories and brought these countries to life for us as we crafted replicas of each country’s ornaments.
Around the World—Around the House
How surprised we were the day she declared each of our rooms could be a different country! We could virtually tour the world celebrating Christmas simply by traveling all over our house. Our home would showcase Christmas Around the World!
Christmas in Sweden
My oldest sister chose Sweden. We folded miniature paper baskets and tied straw ornaments with red ribbons for her tree. We also filled it with candles. A life-sized doll, Saint Lucia, moved into the corner of her bedroom. She looked just like the oldest girls in our Christmas in Sweden book.
In Swedish homes, the oldest daughter traditionally wore a crown of lit candles on her head and a robe of white. She led singers on a parade through town on December 13, St. Lucia’s Day. At home, she carried a tray of Santa Lucia Buns from room to room, treating her parents and family members to a special breakfast.
(Newsflash to me: I never realized St. Lucia was a martyred saint! I’m sure my mother knew though. I’ve recently learned this tradition honored young St. Lucia, who slipped into Roman catacombs bringing food to Christians hiding there. She wore a wreath of lit candles on her head to light her way. No wonder candles lighting the darkness are such important parts of Swedish celebrations even today!)
Christmas in Mexico
My second sister selected Mexico as her country. Vibrant God’s eye ornaments in bright reds, greens, and golds overtook her room. These “eyes of God” reminded the people of Mexico that God saw everything. He protected them and guided their lives. To make these reminders, we wrapped colored yarn around a popsicle-stick cross, swapping colors occasionally. These bright ornaments were festooned on a revolving white tree along with poinsettia blooms. A star pinata hung above her bed.
Poinsettias were brought to Mexico in 1828 by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The Mexican people immediately embraced these striking flowers, filling their churches and homes with them. The plant helped them highlight Christ during their celebrations. The white leaves symbolized Christ’s sinless purity and the red, his blood given freely. They nicknamed them “Flores de Nochebuena” (Christmas Eve flowers).
One favorite Christmas book my students always loved was Nine Days to Christmas: A Story of Mexico. Written in 1960 by Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida, this book shares the tradition of children leading the posada (parade of the Holy Family) and the excitement of a child selecting her first pinata.
Christmas in Germany
An entire village of gingerbread houses perched on my brother’s window valance. Gingerbread boys and girls danced throughout his Christmas tree. My parents’ hands steadily outlined sturdy gingerbread shapes in bright white icing. They sprinkled cute expressions, pops of color, and festive touches to each one—creating a myriad of unique, interesting characters.
Nutcrackers in bright colors added more Christmas cheer. From soldiers to kings, nutcrackers of all sizes marched across his room.
Since the creation of advent wreaths was attributed to Germany in 1839, Mom also created a traditional advent wreath of greenery and candles. The wreath recognizes the anticipation of Christ coming into the world.
Germany also is credited with the first advent calendars, counting down the twenty-four days before Christmas Day. Advent calendars range widely in their style, material, and small gifts.
My Christmas in Norway
Through the wisdom and expertise of my parents, I chose Norway. Joy radiated my room. Shimmering Norwegian flags strung vertically up and down the tree emphasizing the people’s love for their land. We created more heart-shaped paper baskets, filled with little treats.
But what most caught my eyes were the Nisse, the traditional gift bearer of Christmas presents in Norway. (These mischief Nisse elves grabbed my attention decades before that Elf on the Shelf came around.)
Mom discovered a way to make yarn dolls from loads of yarn. I remember wrapping and counting loops and loops of yarn over cards. We cut and tied, and wrapped some more to create Nisse elves. I just wish I had one of those guys left! (I’m sure I played with them so much that I wore them out.)
Norwegians often planned to celebrate Christmas Eve services at their church. At the churches, too, Advent wreaths highlighted the wait for Christ.
The Rest of the World
Walking through the remaining rooms, we encountered a four-foot tall wooden Advent tree Daddy made (representing Austria). All the nativity characters were there: the Wise Men on the bottom level, the shepherds a step above, the Holy Family higher, and on the top level, heavenly angels. More authentic creche displays covered with moss gave a nod to Italy’s first nativity scenes. (I wish I could remember more of the décor and countries spotlighted throughout the house!) Our basement though showcased good ole, vintage Americana and the beginnings of our nation’s customs. Definitely a Christmas around the world to remember!
The Animals' Christmas tree
One of the most magical places we decorated was the porch overlooking our back yard. There, Dad brought a live tree from the yard for us to decorate Christmas ornaments for the birds and beasts. We spent hours stringing popcorn and making birdseed baskets for our gentle friends. Since some Scandinavian countries created sheaves of wheat to hang on bare tree branches, we enjoyed doing that, too.
What a thrill it was to stand inside, gazing out the windows to view all the creatures enjoying our Christmas blessing. And, my, we were rewarded with visits from rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and birds.
Making those animal treats always brought back memories of the old poem, “The Friendly Beasts” or “Jesus, Our Brother, Kind and Good.” Mom loved memorizing poems of all kinds. She quoted it again and again as we worked to provide treats for all the creatures and friendly beasts of our own.
Sharing with the world
At some point, groups and school classes began visiting our “Christmas Around the World.” Unbelievably it became a bit routine to see a school bus in the driveway of our typical neighborhood. (Ushering four kids off to school must have been crazy at times. I’m sure Mom reminded us to straighten our bedrooms well, knowing a tour group would visit later. One time, a curious middle-schooler opened my shuttered closet door just to have everything rain down on him.)
Thank goodness, the local newspaper showed up on a different day! We were all surprised to see they dedicated several pages to capturing the event.
Still Celebrating "Christmas around the World" years later...
For their whole lives, Mom and Dad continued adding to their knowledge of Christmas Around the World. In their senior years, they decorated tables for their church’s senior group Christmas meetings. Mom typed information sheets and displayed them for people to learn more. People always loved hearing about her knowledge of countries around the world and how they anticipated the arrival of Christ.
Through it all, my parents’ main intent was to celebrate Jesus. They wanted to educate people on how the whole world was captured by Christ at Christmas. Of course, they never sought to stereotype peoples and groups, but to show customs and traditions that were established early in the history of these countries.
Because of their faith, my mom and dad intentionally dug through volumes to find religious customs and traditions that focused on Jesus Christ, the true meaning of Christmas. They wanted to show how His arrival impacted the whole world. Showcasing such life-changing traditions was just one more way my parents spread the gospel.
Mom's Last "Christmas Around the World" Celebration
Although we didn’t realize at the time that 2020 would be Mother’s last Christmas here with us, she planned a special Christmas Around the World celebration. With all her grands and great-grands present, she wanted to ensure she passed her beloved memories down.
In preparing for the big day, she asked all four of us “kids” to please share about our countries with our kids and grands. She wanted the twelve grandchildren to bring artifacts, their study notes, and even a traditional dish from their country to share with our family about how Christ impacts nations.
Since Mom was mostly house-bound at that point, she sent me out to collect souvenirs from countries as her Christmas gifts for her grandkids. So, I set on my mission of collecting twelve gingerbread houses, twelve (Norwegian) elves, twelve nutcrackers, twelve poinsettia blooms and more. Mother wanted each grandchild to take home a token from each country. She hoped they might establish similar traditions for their own families one day.
As Mom watched her grandchildren teach their cousins about Jesus traditions around the world, she reveled in knowing that she had shared Christ in yet another way with the people she loved most. She gave each of us charming and bittersweet memories—while still reminding us that Christ captures the hearts of the whole world during the season.
How are you celebrating the birth of Christ?
As you reflect and plan for your sweet family memories this year, may you be filled with charming moments, too. Maybe you’ll discover some fun new traditions based on studying Christmas Around the World, too.
Because I always loved reading and books, I’ve collected seasonal books since childhood. Check out just a few of my favorites.
Jill Roman Lord’s The Silent, Noisy Night
If you’re looking for a special Christmas board book, may I suggest one of my all-time favorite books, The Silent Noisy Night by Jill Roman Lord? I believe you will love it! Although many people assume the manger scene in Bethlehem was a quiet, holy place, Jill wrote her rollicking children’s story from the viewpoint of having a few noisier animals nearby.
Paula Little’s “Journeys of Grace” Books
And if you’re looking for some spectacular photographs of unforgettable national parks, you might want to check out Paula Little’s photography. She pairs each image with an impactful devotion that will inform, inspire, and delight you. For more information about ordering, check out her Facebook post. (You might recognize her as the Sweden-loving eldest daughter in my memories.)
*Disclaimer: To the best of my memory, these stories happened just as I wrote. I’m recalling them through my journals, discoveries in cardboard boxes, and a few photos – but, through my 50+-year-old perspective. If there are any errors, the fault is mine. My sincerest apologies.
If you’ve been around this blog awhile, some of these topics might sound familiar. If you’d like to see more about Barbara Robinson’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” check out this post. She was definitely one of those children’s authors who changed my life—and provided my grandson and I with an unforgettable movie experience just last year!
And if you’d like to see how we incorporated some of Mom’s garden-decorating in our backyard school garden, see this post (my second post ever on this blog!) Some of my most favorite teaching memories happened in that exquisite place.
Love this! Thank you for sharing about Christmas around the world. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Thank YOU for reading it, Melissa. Those parents of mine were priceless. We were always learning! Hope you have a blessed day, too. ✨️
You were greatly blessed to have wonderful Christian parents. Jean and Paul were very special! Thanks for sharing beautiful Christmas memories with us. They were quite unique‼️
You are so right! We were truly blessed. Mother & Daddy had a way of making everything wonderfully-fun, too. 🩷 Looking back now, I wonder how they did it all! You are so welcome. I’d cherish hearing any of your Christmas memories, too. 🎄
Jennifer,
This made me want to visit every tradition you write of. What a magical way to bring the celebration of Christmas to life. And all these treasures of a life well lived continue to be passed down with your words.
Aw. What lovely words. And, yes, Mom & Dad made it magical! (One of those countries shares the nativity through the season, but only places Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning. And mom always had a “Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus” Birthday cake, too. We still have one of those every year in my family. I can’t believe I didn’t add that to my post!) Thank you so much for your comment – and prodding me to remember even more! 🩷
How come I am not a member of your blog and have to read it through Kathryn Newsom. We both loved your writing of how you celebrated Christmas as a member of your parents’ home. Please add me to your reader’s list!! Thanks so much!
Someday I would like to tell you of a Christmas we had in Jackson, Ky when none of our Gifts arrived from the Sears Catalog in time for Christmas Day. (1954). R Gunnell
I would LOVE to hear your Christmas story from 1954! You have some great ones! ✨️
And I don’t know why you’re not receiving my emails. But I will fix that today! I’m thankful for your sweet friends who share my writing anyway. 🩷 Love you! And looking forward to hearing your story soon!
Jennifer, what a beautiful and meaningful family tradition that ripples still through all those grands and great grands! I love the ideas you shared along with favorite books and how the mean behind each tradition was Jesus!
Ah. Thank you so much for reading. I do love that saying, “Jesus is the reason for the season!” 🌟 I’m grateful for your comment.
Love this, Jennifer! I feel like I’ve just relived my childhood! Thanks for bringing back so many memories of Christmas I had forgotten.♥️
I’m just thankful you agree with my memory! But I bet you’ve got some other tidbits tucked away. 🎄 Please let me know if any more pop up! And thanks so much for reading! Love you!
Such a beautiful tradition and legacy. I love how it ties the generations of your family together. Such a blessing!
Thanks so much! We did have some sweet memories over the years. 🩷 And it sure makes me think differently about the ones I want to continue with our grands!
Jennifer,
I loved this seasonal post and learned so many new things. What a great family tradition. And what wonderful memories of yesteryear. Thanks for sharing some of your favorite Christmas/winter children’s books.
You know how I love children’s books, Nan! And yes, I’m so thankful for all of the memories of yesteryear. Truly blessed! Thanks for commenting.