The Philippines has earned the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas season. Although it presently starts from early September it is traditionally ushered in by the nine-day dawn Masses that start on Dec. 16.

Known as the Misas de Aguinaldo (Gift Masses) or Misa de Gallo (Rooster’s Mass) in the traditional Spanish. These Masses are more popularly known in Tagalog as the Simbang Gabi.

Christmas Eve on December 24 is the much-anticipated “noche buena” — the traditional Christmas feast after the midnight mass. Family members dine together on traditional noche buena fare, which includes the quéso de bóla (”ball cheese”, usually edam cheese) and jamón (Christmas ham).

Usually, aside from the already legal holidays which are Rizal Day (December 30) and New Year’s Eve (December 31), other days in close proximity such as Christmas Eve (December 24), Niños Inocentes (December 28), and the Epiphany (traditionally, January 6) are also declared as non-working days. Read the rest of this entry »

In Pakistan, December 25th is a public holiday that coincides with the birth anniversary of Jinnah - the founder of the nation. Christians constitute approximately 1 percent of the population, mostly from Punjab who were once outcaste before British Raj.

In Christian households, cards and presents are exchanged. People wear their best new clothes and visit friends houses. In rural areas, people go to Christmas Day services, which in Urdu and Punjabi is called ‘Bara Din’, the ‘Big Day’.

Bible Society of Pakistan conducts special programs on this eve. Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas is a public holiday in Malaysia, however, much of the public celebration is commercial in nature and has no overt religious overtones.

Occasionally, Christian activist groups do buy newspaper advertorials on Christmas or Easter but this is largely only allowed in English newspapers and permission is not given every year. The advertorials themselves are usually indirect statements.

In 2004, the government organized a national-level Christmas celebration but allegedly imposed an unofficial ban on all Christian religious symbols and hymns that specifically mention Jesus Christ.

The event was jointly organised by the Arts, Culture and Heritage ministry, the government of the state of Selangor and the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM). Read the rest of this entry »

In Taiwan, Christmas is not officially celebrated or legally recognized. However, coincidentally, December 25 is the date of the signing of the Constitution of the Republic of China in 1947, officially the Constitution Day (zh:行憲紀念日).

Hence there was already an official holiday on that date designated in 1963 by the Executive Yuan, which is largely, though unofficially, treated as if it were Christmas.

In order to avoid having too many legal holidays when phasing in two-day-off-per-week plan, the Constitution Day is no longer a full legal holiday with a day off since 2001.

Some people have become disappointed that December 25 has ceased to be a holiday, but there are still unofficial celebrations of Christmas. Read the rest of this entry »

In China, December 25 is not a legal holiday. The one percent of Chinese citizens who consider themselves Christians unofficially, and usually privately, observe Christmas.

Many other individuals celebrate Christmas-like festivities even though they do not consider themselves Christians. Many customs, including sending cards, exchanging gifts, and hanging stockings are very similar to Western celebrations.

Both Hong Kong and Macau designate Christmas as a public holiday on December 25. Both are former colonies of Western powers with (nominal) Christian cultural heritage. Read the rest of this entry »

Though Jordan is located in the heart of the Muslim world, the tiny Christian community that makes 6% of the whole population, celebrates Christmas freely. Christmas day is a public holiday in Jordan.

All Christian families put the Christmas tree and decorate the house with red and gold lights, and celebrates Christmas Eve with all the family and relatives, and usually would have dinner which is made up from traditional dishes, such as (Grilled Chicken With Rice), and (wara dawale, vine leafs which are folded around Rice and Meat).

After dinner some families go to Church to celebrate the Christmas Mass. While other families go to hotels, most five star hotels hold a Christmas party on both 24 and 25 of December. Read the rest of this entry »

Encouraged by the commercial sector, the secular celebration of Christmas is popular in Japan, though Christmas is not a national holiday. The Japanese adopted the character of Santa Claus in their celebrations, but the Santa image does not carry the same social importance as in western countries.

Christmas is not as important as New Year’s Day, which is the most sacred holiday in Japan, whereas Christmas is not a holiday at all. In contrast to western customs, Christmas Eve is a day for couples to date and groups to hold parties, while the official New Year’s Day holiday is a day of family celebration.

Christmas Eve is a time for lovers to exchange gifts, have a special date and stroll under Christmas lights erected by companies and governments to enhance the romantic feel of the day. All Christmas theme decorations come down on the 25th and are replaced by New Year’s decorations. Read the rest of this entry »

South Korea recognizes Christmas as a public holiday. In addition, increasing numbers of stores and buildings are displaying Christmas decorations.

As in the West, Christian churches in Korea hold Christmas pageants and conduct special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Young people especially enjoy the fellowship these observances provide; after the Christmas Eve services, for example, they go caroling to the homes of older church members, where they are usually treated to hot drinks and snacks.

South Korea is the only East Asian country to recognize Christmas as a public holiday. Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas is a state holiday in Lebanon, though 40% of the population is Christian.

Even some Lebanese Muslims celebrate Christmas with Christian friends.

Commercialization and open markets is however bringing a more secular celebration of Christmas to the public sphere, even though it is not celebrated religiously. Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas is a state holiday in India, though only 3% of the population is actually Christian. The celebration by Christians is largely based on the American media depiction.

Sincere devotees attend the church services. In many of the schools that are run by the Christian missionaries, the children actively participate in the programmes. This involves singing carols etc.

Christmas is officially celebrated at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President of India. The celebrations continue and get mixed up with new year celebrations.

In India, most educational institutions have a mid-academic year vacation, sometimes called Christmas vacation, beginning shortly before Christmas and ending a few days after New Year’s Day. Read the rest of this entry »