Lebanon
Christmas in Lebanon
All over the Middle East, including Lebanon, people plant seeds of chickpeas, wheat grains, beans and lentils in cotton wool two weeks before Christmas Day. These seeds are watered everyday so that by Christmas they usually have shoots that are as high as six inches. These shoots are then used to surround the manger in Nativity scenes. A star is suspended over the scene of Christ's birth and figures in the scene are made from brown paper.
As a Christmas tradition in the Middle East, people visit friends on Christmas morning. Coffee, liqueurs and sugared almonds are served to the guests. Like many countries, Christmas lunch is the highlight of the holiday season. Celebrations and family gatherings are arranged at grandparents' homes or the eldest sons' home. Traditional Christmas lunch dishes are chicken, rice and 'Kubbeh' (a local delicacy prepared by mixing crushed boiled wheat, known as 'burghul', with meat, onion, salt and pepper).
Christmas decorations are kept white to convey the hope for peace in their land.
On Christmas Eve the family attend midnight mass. 'Papa Noel' drops gifts off at the church or he may even make a personal appearance at the home!
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