CHRISTMAS IS PAINLESS
There is a perception that more suicides occur at Christmas time than at any other time of the year.
However recent studies seem to indicate that the opposite is true.
It would seem the gathering of friends and relatives at Christmas combined with the greater availability of community resources for those in need, may serve to protect people vulnerable to suicide
A PEACEFUL NIGHT
One interesting and long held Scandinavian Christmas tradition was the belief that it was considered dangerous to sleep alone on Christmas Eve.
As a result the extended family and the servants would sleep together on a freshly prepared bed of straw.
CHRISTMAS PIE
Christmas Pie is not as the name might suggest a Christmas delicacy but is in fact an entertainment originating from the tradition of the mummers play's and is performed in the church.
It has evolved over many years and now includes poetry and prose, religious readings, short sketches and seasonal music to become very much like the Christingle services.
THE SLAVA CANDLE
After the Krsna Slava ceremony In Serbia & Montenegro the Slava candle is never blown out.
It has to be extinguished with wine from a glass and then the glass is passed arround for each member of the family to take a sip.
This symbolizes the constancy and unity of the family within the orthodox faith.
CANDY CANE LANE
In one of the wealthier districts of Edmonton the residents try to out-do each other by decorating the outsides of there homes.
The competitive nature of the streets occupiers has reached the point that the street has become known as "Candy cane Lane."
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
In many cities arround the world On Christmas Day and Boxing Day the destitute and homeless served a festive meal by teams of volunteers who give up there time and sacrifice there own Christmas festivities to help those less fortunate than themselves.
KUGELS
The first glass ornaments tree were a kind of glass ball called Kugels, and were believed to protect homes from evil spirits. These were first produced at Lauscha in Germany around 1830.
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX SAINT
The Orthodox Church in Russia recognized St. Nicholas as a miracle worker and he was held in a position of great esteem.
It was in honor of St Nicholas because he helped children and the poor that Russia's oldest church was built.
KRAMPUS
In Austria, Krampus, a strange and frightening devil like creature accompanies St. Nicholas. Krampus The devil figure is in chains and is dressed in fur with a scary mask with a long red tongue.
He carries a wooden stick to threaten children naughty children who misbehave but St. Nicholas never lets the creature hurt anyone.
ALL AT ONCE
In the not so distant past, there was a tradition of giving gifts throughout all of the twelve days of Christmas rather than finding them all stacked up on Christmas morning.
The tradition, perhaps not surprisingly, never quite caught on in America.
