"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."   
Christmas at Australia's Cultural Network
Australia's Cultural Network explains the roots of Christmas traditions and offers some holiday recipes and customs that are unique to Australia.

Christmas Traditions in France and Canada
Provides information on family celebrations, religious ceremonies, communal festivities, and the origins of the holiday.  In English and French.

Christmas in Mexico
Christmas festivities begin with "Las Posadas," nine consecutive days of candelight processions and lively parties starting December 16.  In villages and urban neighborhoods throughout Mexico youngsters gather each afternoon to reenact the holy family's quest for lodging in Bethlehem.

Iceland
Iceland's Yule traditions in ancient and modern times.

Christmas in the Philippines -- "Maligayang Pasko"
Get a brief lesson in the history of the Philippines and discover Christmas
traditions and activities that are unique to this island nation.

Finland
Home of Santa Claus.

German Way Christmas Page
Read about Christmas traditions in Germany in this article from the German
Way guide to culture and ritual in the Germanic nations.

Irish Christmas Traditions
Of all the Christian festivals in Ireland, Christmas is considered to be the most important.  An Irish Christmas lasts from Christmas Eve until January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany, or "Little Christmas."   Preparations begin weeks in advance. There is the physical preparation of foods and gifts, decorating the home, and also a spiritual preparation that begins with the start of Advent--additional prayers added to the morning and evening devotions, the children urged to say extra Paters and Aves.

Jamaica and Jamaican Culture - Christmas
Jamaican tourist board offers a description of Jamaican Christmas traditions
and provides photos of Jamaica in the holiday season.

Slovak and Carpatho-Rusyn Christmas
The sites and sounds of the celebration of Christmas in the Slovak and Carpatho-Rusyn tradition - recipes, carols, and customs.

Christmas in Spain
by
Cyberspain.com

Ukraine and Ukrainian Christmas at Brama
Directory for Ukrainian web resources offers a history of Christmas traditions
in Ukraine and provides links to other Ukrainian holiday pages.

A Homemade Christmas
from 
FamilyFun.com

Victorian Christmas
Victoriana offers a history of Victorian England and the rites and rituals of a
Victorian Christmas. Find facsimile reproductions of articles.

The World Christmas Homepage
Customs and Traditions

The Christmas Archives
by
Maria Hubert

A "Treasure House" of Additional Christmas Links
from
A Research Guide for Students

Kilroy's Christmas Kaleidoscope Celebrations for the Twelve Days of Christmas
First Day	Second Day	Third Day	Fourth Day
Fifth Day	Sixth Day	Seventh Day	Eighth Day
Ninth Day	Tenth Day	Eleventh Day	Twelfth Day

Olde Tyme Radio Programs
 
On its regular  "Big Broadcast"  series, each Sunday night throughout the month of December, Public Radio Station WAMU features four hours of old time radio programs with Christmas themes.  You can listen live while they're in progress -- and/or you can access the entire previous week's offerings by either Real Audio or Windows Media.  A big BRAVO !!  to The Big Broadcast, as well as WAMU, and the station's sponsoring institution,  American University !!
 
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During the holiday season in years past, the late Alan Maitland, host of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's program  As it Happens,  opened his book of Christmas stories to become "Fireside Al."  His reading of  The Shepherd  has become a tradition.  Its a story about an  R.A.F. pilot who is seemingly doomed  during a flight over the North Sea, on Christmas Eve in 1957.

Christmas -- The Global Celebration

Find a collection of Christmas recipes from around the globe including kletzenbrot, English mincemeat pie, and Armenian sweet soup.

Sunset -- Native American Holiday Feast

A reader who is "half-Pilgrim and half-Indian" shares her recipes for a Native AmericanChristmas feast for 10 or 12.

Christmas in Hawaii

Mele Kalimimaka includes Hawaiian Christmas customs, how Christmas is celebrated in Honolulu, Hawaiian Christmas recipes, and Hawaiian Christmas fun and trivia for adults and children.

Cookie Recipes from Europe

Discover this assortment of Christmas cookie recipes from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

European Christmas Traditions

Find out what's cooking in 14 countries around the world. With descriptions of traditional feasts and recipes.

Aussie Christmas Tucker

There is nothing quite like the flavour of roasted turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin cooked to golden perfection in a kettle oven while the heady aromas drift among the bright flower beds of the summer garden.

Favorite Christmas Food

This impressive collection of seasonal recipes from around the world includes advice on exactly what sort of food to leave out for Santa.

Flavors of the South - Christmas

Cooking directory offers this menu of regional holiday recipe ideas, from hors d'oeuvres to dessert.

Polish Christmas Eve Recipes

Learn how to prepare pickled herring or spiced vodka, from this page of Polish holiday delicacies.

Mrs. Claus's Kitchen

Santa's Favorites, Reindeer Treats, and Bedtime Snacks.