Christmas in New Zealand
 The
New Zealand Christmas tree is called Pohutokawa and its flowers
are a brilliant scarlet throughout the Christmas season. Since Christmas
occurs in summer, New Zealanders do not have a tradition of snow
and ice. That, however, doesn't stop Santa who still visits the
cities and towns while dressed in his red and white outfit. Small
towns and suburban areas have Santa parades where community groups
proudly display brightly decorated floats. It is not always hot
enough in the early summer to have Christmas dinner on the beach
(February is usually the hottest month).
December Holidays in Germany
The celebrations begin on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day. As in
many other European countries, on the eve of Dec. 6th, children
place a shoe or boot by the fireplace. During the night, St. Nicholas,
the patron saint of children, moves from house to house carrying
a "book of sins" in which all of the misdeeds of the children are
written. If they have been good, he fills their shoe or boot with
delicious holiday edibles. If they haven't been good, their shoe
is filled with twigs. The Weihnachtskrippe (Christmas crib)
is especially popular in the southern regions of Germany.
Christmas in Greece
Greece is in Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea,
and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey. On Christmas
Eve, children travel from house to house offering good wishes and
singing kalanda, Greek carols. Often the songs are accompanied by
metal triangles and clay drums. The children are given sweets and
dried fruit as a reward for their singing. The Christmas feast is
of major importance, especially since it ends 40 days of fasting.
Special loaves of bread, christopsomo (Christ Bread) are prepared
for the meal.
Christmas in Africa
December 25th begins with groups of carolers walking through the
village, along the roadway, by the houses of the missionaries, singing
the lovely carols known the world around. Often people may be awakened
by a group of carolers beginning to converge on the house of worship.
They return home to make final preparation as to the clothes one
must wear and also as to his offering for the Christmas service.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. In December, the
southern summer brings glorious days of sunshine that carry an irresistible
invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes.
Then the South African holiday season reaches its height.
Schools are closed, and camping is the order of the day. In South
Africa there is no snow, but it has many beautiful varieties of
cultivated and wild flowers being in their full pride.
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all nondiscrimination laws; and ensures that all services, programs,
and hiring practices and procedures are administered without regard
to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation,
disability or veteran status. Further information regarding
MCCCD's Nondiscrimination Policy may be obtained by visiting MCCCD
Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office Website.
The EEO/AA Office actively participates in
promoting diversity awareness and cultural competency in all aspects
of employee life within Maricopa. For further information on diversity
initiatives or the Governing
Board Diversity Goal, please visit the websites.
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