| Christmas around the world: fascinating traditions you never knew
Finland – The sauna is the true spiritual center of the home especially on Christmas Eve when almost everyone attends the sauna – even the dead! France – The most important symbol of Christmas is the crèche or manger scene – no matter how many crèche figures a family may already have, there is always room for more. Germany – Christmas begins on December 5 when Saint Nicholas delivers candy, nuts, and fruit to the children and his traveling companion, Knecht Ruprecht, brings switches instead of gifts. Greece – Christmas Day ends the Greek Christmas Lent of fasting and somber reflection and begins the dodecameron – 12 days of merriment and mischief spent in the company of family and friends. Holy Land – Western Christians – including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and many other Protestant groups celebrate on December 25 in Bethlehem.
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