BYUH students sahre German, Persian, Danish and more Christmas traditions that teach of Christ and bond families together
Rebecca Sneddon, a freshman majoring in vocal performance from Germany, said in her country, Christmas celebrations start on Nov. 11, beginning with St. Martin’s Day. The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are associated with Adventskranz, she said. The Adventskranz, a circular wreath adorned with four candles with one lit each Sunday before Christmas, symbolizes the growing light in homes and the closeness of Christ, explained Sneddon. “Christmas [in Germany] is so magical…It’s not about gifts and not as commercialized,” expressed Sneddon.
In the state of California, Jaleh Younessian, a senior majoring in cultural anthropology, shared her experiences growing up in the Los Angeles area’s “mini-Tehran” during the Persian New Year. According to the Rahavard Persian Journal, Nowruz, spanning seven to 13 days, symbolizes new beginnings and fertility. Younessian recalled, “Every member of the family takes part in contributing to the party. My sister loves to cook, my brother sets up the decorations, and I love to prepare and practice for the party.”
The focal point of Nowruz is the Haft-sin table, adorned with symbolic items like Samanu, sweet wheat pudding, for power; Senjed, sweet dry fruit of the lotus tree, for love; and Sabzeh, sprouted wheat grass, for growth, according to the Rahavard Persian Journal. Younessian emphasized the significance of traditional attire, family gatherings and engaging in Persian customs during the festivities. “My favorite childhood memory of this celebration was when my dad danced with me,” recalled Younessian.
Embracing his father’s Danish heritage, Gabriel Thorup, a sophomore majoring in biology from California, said his family’s festive celebrations on Christmas feature a special Danish rice pudding decorated with chopped almonds and a hidden whole almond his family members search for inside the pudding
Thorup said the finder earned the privilege to playfully tease others and receive a sweet reward, a marzipan pig. “This is what Christmas is all about. Food brings people together. What better way to connect with family than cooking, preparing and making a mess in the kitchen? These are the memories and traditions I would want to incorporate when I have my own family,” said Thorup.
Morgan Mickelsen, a senior majoring in history education from Texas, said her family tradition during Christmas includes daily Christmas story readings, crafting homemade treats, community caroling and festive rituals like opening new pajamas on Christmas Eve, followed by a dance party. “I see each tradition as an opportunity to learn and grow, particularly in areas like service, baking and family bonding. They have shaped me into the person I am today and I often find myself recalling these memories throughout the year, a reminder of the values I hold dear,” she said.
Kamilah Pedersen, a sophomore majoring in intercultural peacebuilding from Canada, said on Christmas Eve, her family gathers in the living room, each holding an unlit candle. She said her mother initiates the ceremony by emphasizing the spiritual essence of Christmas and connecting it to Christ. Pedersen described how her mother lights her candle, shares a blessing from the past year and then proceeds to light the candle of the person next to her. This continues until everyone’s candle is lit, with each candle representing a testimony, said Pedersen. “She [her mother] also talks about how sharing our testimony with those present increases the light and warmth around us, creating a ripple effect of love and gratitude. We then close with a Christmas hymn to help keep the spirit with us as we go to bed,” shared Pedersen.
She expressed, “I’ve had times when I couldn’t light my candle and the only light I could see was that of others. The only reason I knew God knew and loved me was because of the light and love I received from others.” Pedersen said being surrounded by Christlike individuals was a source of strength for her testimony. “It’s what has pulled me through some of the darkest times. I’m thankful for this tradition my family has to remind us of our infinite worth and Christ’s abundant, intimate love,” Pedersen said.