The story behind a cherished Christmas tradition in Seychelles |22 December 2016
Christmas is a very special time in Seychelles and like a lot of other countries, radio stations play carols all through the Christmas period.
Many people paint their houses and hang new curtains and decorations for Christmas. Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.
In our small island, Christmas is a really exciting time, especially for children. But in every country, Christmas is celebrated differently; there are lots of Christmas traditions that are practiced by a number of countries all over the world during the holiday season. These traditions can be as diverse as the culture and religious practices of each and every country in the world.
Today we will discover some of our traditions for Christmas…
• The famous Christmas Tree
Most families have a Christmas tree in their house, in different shapes and sizes. Most Seychellois start decorating their trees at the beginning of December, to put them into that Christmas spirit.
The Christmas trees can be either indoors or out, and it can create that Christmas festivity within a family.
• Midnight Mass
Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. In Seychelles to mark that religious occasion, we start preparing for Christmas in November.
Majority of Seychellois, on December 24, attend the Midnight Mass to celebrate Christmas Eve. Another mass is held the next morning for the birth of baby Jesus.
• A time for family reunion
Christmas in Seychelles is a wonderful season to share Christ’s message in a meaningful way. People’s hearts are usually open and warm to spiritual thoughts and to being together. A Christmas gathering is a gathering of friends or neighbours in an individual’s home or on the beach. Most of us do some kind of barbecue, lunch or dinner to share some positive love.
• New Year’s Eve
New Year’s eve is when we prepare to welcome the New Year, with a bigger and louder celebration culminating with a countdown at midnight – either in a street party, in a hotel or in a small gathering at home.
It is a time when everyone gets merry ... and the celebrations continue on January 1 and 2.
U.J.