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"Merry Christmas" In Iran

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  • "Merry Christmas" In Iran

    "MERRY CHRISTMAS" IN IRAN

    MidEastYouth.com
    http://www.mideastyouth.com /2008/12/25/merry-christmas-in-iran/
    Dec 25 2008

    On December 25, when all Radio and TV channels have special programs
    for new year, I'd never call my Iranian Christian friends to say them
    a warm "Merry Christmas". Since in this day there is no celebration in
    their house. Christmas for Iranian Christians is started since January
    6 and of course there are many stories behind this different time.

    I don't really know much of details, though. Catholic, Protestant
    and the mainstream of Orthodox churches usually introduce the Jesus's
    birth on December 25. But Iranian Armenian church -which is part of
    Armenian churches- is completely an independent sect in christianity
    and with some other Christian sects believe the birthday of Jesus to
    be on 6th January. So instead of starting celebrations 5 days before
    new year, they start them 5 days after new year.

    All this story is for Armenians which are mainstream christians in
    Iran. But for Assyrian Christians the story is somehow same as all
    over the world. Assyrian Christians follow catholic church so their
    holiday is started since 5 days before new year.

    However there is no relation between 1st January as first day of
    new year and Jesus's birth. The Georgian calendar and the new year
    comes from Pagan-mostly mithraism- traditions before foundation
    of christianity.Even though the start of counting is from Jesus's
    birth year.

    That's all about the date. And now about turkey. Maybe you think
    Iranian Christians also eat turkey in new year. So you're wrong. There
    is no such a tradition between Christians here. At least among
    Armenians, turkey is not a usual meal of the Christmas. Most of the
    time, Iranian Christians cook some meals which are mostly common
    within the Persian new year too; Vegetable Rice with fish. They used
    to think that's a christian trasition which got to be a persian habit
    for all Iranians too. But later they realised there is not such foods
    in Armenia. They're only Iranian Armenians who love to make Iranian
    food for new year.

    By the way, Iranian Christians are divided in two groups. The first
    group like to celebrate Christmas. And the second group are those who
    don't celebrate Christmas. The first group usually like any kind of
    celebrations and parties. So they even celebrate Persian New Year
    which is at the first day of spring on March 21. The second group
    neither celebrate the Georgian New year nor goes to parties. There's
    just no especial reason for that, maybe they've got so mixed with
    the Iranian culture and persian feasts.

    Well, anyhow, some of Iranian Christians celebrate Christmas with
    all over the world. They decorate pine trees and all walls of house
    with beautiful little colorful bulbs and papers. Nowadays some of
    them use artificial trees and invite all relatives and friends for
    a big party and a delicious Iranian dinner.

    Some of them also don't celebrate it as such. They have a dinner for
    Jesus's birthday and let their New year be only Persian New Year in
    spring. They think cutting pine trees will destroy the nature.

    Along with Iranian Christians, some Iranians from other faiths i.e
    Muslims love to celebrate Christmas. Whether they want to celebrate an
    international event and be part of the big world or It happens they
    have Christian friends and they claim to invite them for a delicious
    dinner. Regarding the fact that saying a warm Merry Christmas to
    Christian friends can be joyful very often.

    My Christian friends like a snowy Christmas. Indead Christmas without
    snow has a missing part. Most of the time, during Christmas it's
    snowing here. Specially in north of Tehran there is usually good
    snowing in winters.

    With snow, i remember Papa Noel walking in the streets with his
    gifts. Like those childhood cartoons that i used to watch. Maybe
    there is no harm for nature that people use artificial trees instead
    of having fragrance of fresh pine at home.

    I don't know how many little match-sellers in Hans Christian Andersen's
    stories stay alive under snow. When there's snowing, I always remember
    those homless poor people too..

    Let's hope for good. Let's hope that every kind of new years, Persian,
    Islamic, jewish and Georgian bring us the good news of a union
    against injustice. Let's hope for a world without poverty, ignorance
    and fanatism. Let's wish our best wishes for our generation and the
    coming generations after us that they identify their purpose of being
    and help make this world a more tolerable one in which to breathe.

    Christmas is coming again. I'm getting ready to call my Christian
    friends 5 days after new year. Let me tell you right now, from an
    Iranian Muslim woman to Iranians and all people around the world
    who will be light-hearted, at least for some days, for some hours,
    for a moment or as long as a smile: "Merry Christmas to You all.."
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