A modern-day Canadian Christmas is a lot like the popular Christmas song “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas,” with “toys in every store, but the prettiest sight to see, is the holly that will be, on your own front door.” But that was not always the case.

Canada is widely known for its multicultural population and traditions. In an article on life123.com, freelance writer Jennifer Maughan points out that “Canadian Christmas traditions blend many European traditions based on the cultures that moved to the area over several centuries.”

Christmas traditions from all over the world have been intertwined with Canadian culture. From Germany came Christmas trees and advent calendars; from Ireland, the Gaelic custom of lighted windows; from Scotland came mummers (costumed singers); and, though European in origin, from the United States came Santa and his magical reindeer.

During the Middle Ages, Germans put out evergreen trees to symbolize hope for the upcoming spring. Modern Christmas tree traditions grew from this, as did the use of advent calendars, which were first thought to have been used in 1851 for counting down the days in December to Jesus Christ’s birth, according to German company Sellmer Verlag, whose traditional advent calendars have graced the desks of three U.S. presidents.

The Irish tradition of putting lights in the windows of a home was originally to welcome the Virgin Mary and Joseph into the home for shelter on Christmas Eve, according to ireland-information.com. This tradition is seen in windows all across Canada, though it has been modified to become the strings of lights we see on houses and in windows today.

A “mummer” is a person who wears a mask or costume while merrymaking or taking part in a pantomime, especially at Christmas and other festive seasons. This tradition is popular in provinces such as Nova Scotia with a high concentration of residents with Scottish backgrounds.

Japanese oranges are said to have a special meaning to those who live on the Canadian prairies, according to holidaydecorations.com. When they are put into the toe of a Christmas stocking they symbolize a bag or gold or riches.

Dec. 25 is just days away, so stay on Santa’s nice list, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Nangoons Wabegijig is a student at Lasalle Secondary School in Sudbury. She is currently taking part in a co-operative education program at Northern Life.

Posted by Vivian Scinto