It is Christmas for those who celebrate the birth of Christ. In the Kingdom there are little signs of Christmas unless one is able to go onto a western-only compound. Here, in their own cocoon of privacy, Christians can openly practice their chosen faith. At the western-only compound the villas may be alit with the bright lights of Christmas and the Christmas tree will be proudly displayed in a window with lights twinkling and adorned with cheerful ornaments. Children may even travel from house to house in a group singing Christmas carols to friends and neighbors spreading the joy and excitement of the Christmas holidays.
For the rest of the population who does not live in a compound and practices Christmas they will do so in the privacy of their residence. They may not have the same flexibility to outwardly decorate their house as the residents of a western-only compound but I have no doubt the spirit of Christmas will be captured nevertheless.
Naturally my thoughts drift on Christmas day to the traditional Christmas memories of my own life. Usually two weeks prior to Christmas my son and I would gather together and spend several days doing our Christmas baking. We would make an appetizing array of special Christmas sweets which would include divinity, special Christmas sugar cookies, ginger snap cookies, chocolate and peanut butter fudge, rum balls and other tantalizing sweets. At the same time we would decorate the house towards further creating the holiday spirit. Not a single room would be left untouched with ornaments, lights, live fresh greens adorning walls, shelves and countertops. And of course the piece de’resistance would be the stockings hung over the fireplace mantle which would not be filled with special gifts from “Santa” until the night before Christmas.
And of course we would have a tree. In the earlier days when my son was small we would go out and select a live cut tree. But over the years we eventually made the transition to a lovely artificial tree that was easier to maintain and use each year. The tree would be decorated with a colorful theme but at the same time handmade ornaments which my son made over the years would have places of honor, displayed with pride for everyone to see. A few presents would be placed under the tree but the bulk would not appear until “Santa” made his presence the night before Christmas day.
At midnight on Christmas day it was traditional for our family to attend midnight mass in a Catholic church. The practice of midnight mass could be comparable to the special prayers families in the Kingdom attend on Eid al Fitr. We would go to a traditional church which would be lit by candlelight. During this service prayers would be said recognizing the significance of the birth of Christ and everyone would give thanks and appreciation for their lives and pray for continued health and happiness.
Once we returned home everyone would be allowed to open one gift before retiring for the night. Of course after my son was tucked into bed, the rest of “Santas” presents would be placed under the tree and the stockings would be filled. It was family tradition that if my son woke early due to the excitement of Christmas, he would be allowed to investigate and open the treasures in his stocking before the rest of the family awakened.
When the whole family was up on Christmas morning prior to the exchange of gifts and opening of presents a special breakfast meal would be prepared. It was custom that no festivities could start on an empty stomach. Everyone would pitch in and help prepare the meal. After the meal, the adults would usually settle in a comfortable chair with tea or coffee and the younger children would distribute and open gifts. Traditional Christmas music would be playing in the background and it was not uncommon for family members to sing or hum along with the music.
The gift giving would be a joyous occasion full of happy surprises and lots of love. After gifts were exchanged there would typically be a prayer of thanks for the day and for being together as a family. Then it would be time to start preparing the Christmas feast. Depending on the mood it would usually be a roasted turkey or duck presented with all the trimmings and special dishes. By the time all the food was set on the table the table would be groaning from the weight.
Christmas day and evening was spent in a time of togetherness and appreciation as a family – not all that different from the traditions of Eid al Fitr.
So for all of you reading this post and do celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very merry, happy, safe and joyful Christmas! And for my family and friends, know that I am thinking of you on this very special day and envisioning in my mind each of your special celebrations. I am with you all in spirit and full of love.
Filed under: America, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, culture, religion, travel
Merry Xmas Carol
Thank you Ahmed! And welcome back from the EP; I’m sure you had a great time with your family!
[...] In Recognition of Christmas [...]
Is that Chocolate Peanut butter fudge recipe a family secret? hint hint!
Okay Umm Adam…please be kind enough to send me a reminder and I’ll be happy to share my recipe with you! (and anyone else interested…)
Hi Carol, I love your blog! Merry Christmas!
I have now come to the main wordpress blog.
Hope you and your readers are enjoying The Christmas….
Take carez…
Merry Christmas.
Your description of Christmas was an almost word for word
description of the last 24 hours in my corner of the World.
So, do you presently celebrate any part of Christmas? I ask this question sincerely, from the cultural aspect rather than the religious. Do you greet other westerners with “Merry Christmas”? Has your spouse ever experienced a western Christmas? Do you celebrate the New Year? If so, how do you celebrate?
I really enjoy reading your blog. I find it very well written and interesting.
Carol, as much as I dont celebrate Christmas here but somehow the spirit of festivities has always cropped up in me. Celebrations like this has always been a part of any Malaysians (we will find any excuse to celebrate almost anything here). I could imagine the festive atmosphere as you described your past Christmases. I guess its also not too late to wish you Eidil Adha and looking forward to the new year, as Happy Holidays!
Marta — thank you and Joyous holidays to you!
Ibraheem — welcome!
Mrs. Quiggs — Happiest of holidays to you! And yes; my spouse and I have combined the holidays of our traditions and heritage. We do continue to celebrate Christmas amongst each other and with friends and family who also celebrate. And it is typical for Christians to greet muslims with Eid Mubarak on the Islamic Eid holidays as well as for Muslims to greet Christians with Merry Christmas. There are some from various faiths who do choose not to acknowledge each others practices of course. When we were in the States my spouse fully experienced our traditional Christmas and one year when work took me out of the USA over Christmas my spouse volunteered for the stocking stuffing honors and did a wonderful job! By participating or contributing in no way takes away from ones primary faiths and beliefs.
In regards to the New Year, we have enjoyed celebrating with friends but usually at home; We’ve never chosen to go out for the New Years. We’ll reminensce about the year and its accomplishments, make predictions for the upcoming year.
I’m glad you enjoy my blog and I in turn enjoy your comments!
Hanie — I love hearing the experiences of the Malayasian culture from you and happy to hear that festivities have made their way to you as well. Thank you for the kind Eid greetings which I also return to you along with Happy New Year, Happy Holidays!
I wasn’t aware you had a son. Maybe that is my fault for not paying attention. I hope everyone had a great holiday.
As a convert to Islam I do not celebrate Christmas, but it sure has nostalgic feelings for me from back in my childhood. The lights and the presents are something I remember fondly.
I remember the Midnight masses. The last one I attended was about 11 years ago at church in Cambridge England. I loved the service and the plumes of incense floating in the air.
Carol: Malaysians generally are fun loving people the perception of religious celebrations such as Christmas, Deepavali, Eid Mubarak, Chinese New Year among others are seen not just in its religious context but also as a social event. We have a unique tradition called “open house” where the host who celebrates the respective festival will invite friends of non similar faith to experience the food, friendship and the atmosphere. More often than not, you will also see perfect strangers or even foreigners (usually tourists) being invited to savour this experience. All are welcomed in their homes. For non Muslims, it is a norm to get outside halal caterers so that the Muslim friends will be able to enjoy the food without worry.
I also have a few foreign friends here who married the locals but still celebrate Christmas. I think they do this not based on Christianity but due to tradition back home where family and friends gather and enjoy each other’s company.
Abu Sinan — oh yes…my “baby” is 31 years old! Although I converted to Islam (pre-marriage for those who wondered) I have retained certain traditions from my heritage and culture. After all, I believe the majority of faiths do practice peace. tolerance and understanding to include understanding of differing faiths (at least in the Abrahamic religions).
Hanie — How lovely…and you reminded me that my family would also have similar open houses…and of course from my own foreign service days it was common to have open houses as you identified and invite others regardless of nationality, religion, culture to share in special events and further learn from one another as well as just enjoy the beautiful friendships.
Carol,
It is good to see that you have found a balance. Oh, I get asked that all of the time. “Did you convert to get married”? As if my wife’s family would have accepted that? I converted years before we married.
I come from a German background and I have found ways to celebrate my upbringing and background and keep it within Muslims standards. I still have “Gluhwein” but I do it with cider instead of wine. I love my Bratwurst, so it is a good thing the local German deli has them in beef, veal and Turkey.
No need to give up most things when you become a Muslim. After all, one of the grat things about Islam is it’s universal nature.
When I lived in Europe I always enjoyed going to the Christmas markets, even after I converted to Islam. My last year there I made sure to visit the one in Aachen, and hit the one in Nuremberg as well. The first place I visited in any city I visit is the local churches, synagogues and mosques. I love religious structures, especially historical ones.
Hi,
this reminds of the times I was abroad and my family had Eid here and I couldn’t make it to be with them. I kind of know exactly how you feel when you are homesick for family and family traditions, but I guess thats how life is you make new traditions with a new life and then that will be passed on too..
Nice blog by the way it has a lot on information about Saudi Arabia and the way of life here.
Abu Sinan: Yes; I am an advocate of blending cultures and customs when in a bi-cultural relationship. I think it just enhances and broadens us. I have always done the same in enjoying visits to old churches, cathedrals and mosques when traveling to new places. I have never been in or visited a synagogue although I did get to see the Mormom temples (from the outside of course) in Maryland and Utah.
Saudi Bridget: Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you will be a return visitor. Yes; when my spouse and I were not in the Kingdom we would still celebrate Eid to maintain the tradition although of course it was not the same as being in the Kingdom with all of his extended family present. For some reason I felt more homesick this year than last year but my family has been great and I’ve received many beautiful calls these past few days.