Meta: Exploring Christmas traditions in Israel.

We have been exploring how many different cultures and countries celebrate the holiday marvel that is Christmas, and today at Sir Holiday headquarters we thought it only fitting to turn our heads onto Israel and think about how Christmas is spent there. Now while you might not think that many people in Israel celebrate Christmasbecause of the coincidence of the festive season with the time for Hanukkah, but you would be wrong. Christmas is such a beloved and inclusive holiday that many people choose to embrace the core message of family, faith and fun regardless of their personal religious orientation. Now let’s go and explore the way that Christmastraditions are upheld in Israel.

In the towns of Bethlehemand Nazareth, many people from around the world travel to these cities to fully experience the young life of Jesus over the time of Christmas, but beware these towns know you’re coming and so therefore have many tourist shops waiting for you on arrival. Which I suppose, can be found at any site of great importance to our joint history. While you are in Bethlehem, the town that Jesus was born in, you can make your way to the Church of Nativity, which is thought to be built on the exact site where Jesus was born. On Christmas day the church is decorated rather spectacularly with flags and banners for Mass in the early morning, but let’s face facts, who can sleep on Christmas day anyway, especially with the knowledge that Santa has left something special under the Christmas tree.

However, one thing that is truly notable about Israel is that the vast majority of Christmas celebrations take place in the communities near sites of great importance for the Christian community such as Bethlehem or areas within Jerusalem. As many people observe Hanukkah celebrations, there isn’t much need to celebrate Christmas within the eyes of the vast majority of the population within Israel. If you’re wondering what you could expect to eat should you attend a Christmas celebration in Israel, then look no further than some of the most famous American classics around. One very popular option is to serve a roast turkey with plenty of stuffing and a rich, fruity sauce, such as everybody’s favorite cranberry sauce.

If you were hoping for me to come out with some tale of a Santa Clause version that lives within the sands of the surrounding deserts, I’m afraid that you will be sorely disappointed for Israel makes use of the same Santa Clause that we all know and love. Of course, what is this time of the year without over the top displays of happiness and joy, well since this idea has spread all over the world Bethlehem ensures that there is a massive fireworks display and parade each year in the lead up to Christmas in order to commemorate the fact that a long, long time ago Jesus was born in the middle of Bethlehem.

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Israel flag:

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/09/04/16/54/flag-2714660_960_720.jpg

Jerusalem:

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/10/03/21/13/jerusalem-1712855_960_720.jpg

Jesus being horn:

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/12/19/10/25/christmas-1917905_960_720.jpg