Christmas Traditions Around the World

Christmas Around the World with CurrClick has partnered with myself and nine other homeschool bloggers this week. Each one of us will be giving goodies away during our bloggy event so be sure to check the schedule and stop by each site to learn about Christmas in other countries, enter the giveaways and maybe even make some new friends!


I chose the country of Hungary because 1. I am Hungarian, 2. Missionaries are my heroes and 3. I would like to mix #1 and #2 and feature a missionary mom blogger from Hungary!


So meet Kevin and Kristen from Following the Dream and their two children. They have been living in Hungary since 2007 as missionaries!

Here's the church in town on Christmas Morning.

Here's ice skaters in front of one of their castles - beautiful!

Szent István Bazilika in Budapest, decorated at Christmas


The Christmas Market



Here's Kristen's friend Audrey eating a type of langos, which is a popular food that they serve everywhere, but especially at the Christmas market.
For a couple years, Kristen taught a free English class with a couple others to Hungarians in the community. They celebrated Advent with them, and despite most of them not being "religious," they all do know what Advent is.
Kristen says: "Boldog Szent Mikulás Napot!" (Happy St. Nicholas Day!) In Hungary, December 6th is the day that St. Nick/Santa in their culture makes his appearance. Baby Jesus is the one who gives gifts on Christmas Eve. For Szent Mikulás Day, the good kids get treats in their boots only if they are clean! And the golden switches the "bad" kids get are called virgács.


And although the Baby Jesus is the one who brings gifts on Christmas Eve, hardly anyone actually celebrates Jesus as the meaning and reason for Christmas. Traditionally, Hungarians put up the tree the night of December 24 and keep it up until Feb. 6th. It's always the dad who puts the star or a csúcsdísz (ornament for the top) on top of the tree.


Usually before Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner, Jézuska (little Jesus) comes. A little bell will ring and gifts will be under the tree. All will say Boldog Karácsonyt (Merry Christmas) and listen to Christmas music and sing Csendes Éj (Silent Night). And yes, some go to the midnight mass.


After the gift giving, they have their big dinner on Christmas Eve with lots of traditional Hungarian food, usually fish or maybe turkey breast. They also enjoy fish soup, töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage), húsleves (meat soup, often with pasta in it), and some stuffed turkey breast...and of course bejgli! (poppyseed=mákos, walnur=diós, or maybe chestnut=gesztenyés)."

Thank you Kristen for sharing! I'm reminded of Revelation 5:9b which says "with your (Jesus') blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and launguage and people and nation." I deeply admire your willingness to take the gospel to another nation - a nation that Jesus loves and for which his blood was shed. We serve a worthy Savior and I am honored and humbled to be called your sister in Christ.

Now for you dear readers, I have some giveaways!


CurrClick is giving away 5 items for one reader to win! To be eligible for the giveaway, leave me a comment answering this question - what nationality are you? I’ll select one winner of all 5 items randomly on Dec. 14 at 9m.

Prizes include:

Christmas Copywork by Lilliput Station
Let your child learn the true story of Christmas as they practice their writing skills. This file contains fourteen different copywork pages with verses from the KJV Bible and one with a verse from a hymn. Each page is illustrated with black and white drawings and comes with both primary and straight lines.

Christmas Around the World by Homeschool Learning Network
Christmas is coming! You're probably getting ready to decorate the tree, hang your stockings and make your wish list. Did you ever wonder how children in other lands celebrate or observe this holiday? Why do some countries' celebrations last for weeks? What do you do with a buche de Nol? Who's La Befana? Why do some children wait until January 6th to receive their Christmas gifts? Christmas traditions and celebrations vary around the world. Learn all about Christmas around the world as HLN journeys across the globe in search of the spirit of the season.

Missionary Heroes by Brandenburg Studies
Looking for a great way to inspire your student with exciting, true stories of some familiar and not-so-familiar Missionaries? This "restored" out-of-print book is just the ticket: 28 enthralling accounts that are sure to have your son or daughter "thinking" about what is really important in life.

Faithbooking: Missionary Biographies by Fortunately For You Books
This series will take your child on a journey of faith, trust, and service towards God the Savior. We believe every child should know of God's great and wonderful commission found in Matthew 28:19-20. Students will be learning about famous missionaries and their life stories. They will learn about what events triggered a
life-long service to the Lord in foreign countries. These missionaries took the commandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself" to a new heights and learned to love, really love, their neighbors and fellow man. Missionaries covered are: J. Hudson Taylor, Mary Slessor, David Brainerd, and William Carey.


The Great Commission by Live and Learn Press
Christ commissioned his disciples to "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations..." Since that time there have been countless missionaries who have gone into the world with the Gospel. Some of them are well-known, and others may be known to very few. Our Learn 'N Folder will help your student learn more about the missionary of his or her choice.

I can't wait to hear what nationality you all are!! God created us all - every nation, language and people group for his glory!

Walk with the King!
I am linked to (In)Courage today.