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Christmas Pages
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Giant Panda-oldest Holidays: Pachyderms: Primates: Bears: Canine Types: Hoofed Animals: Other: Marine Animals: MORE old FUN: BIRDS:
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Christmas in IraqIn the Christian homes an unusual ceremony is held in the courtyard of the home on Christmas Eve. One of the children in the family reads the story of the Nativity from an Arabic Bible. The other members of the family hold lighted candles, and as soon as the story has been read a bonfire is lit in one corner of the courtyard. The fire is made of dried thorns and the future of the house for the coming year depends upon the way the fire burns. If the thorns burn to ashes, the family will have good fortune. While the fire is burning, a psalm is sung. When the fire is reduced to ashes, everyone jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish. On Christmas day a similar bonfire is built in the church.
While the fire burns the men of the congregation chant a hymn. The there is a
procession in which the officials of the church march behind the bishop, who
carries an image of the infant Jesus upon a scarlet cushion. The long Christmas
service always ends with the blessing of the people. The bishop reaches forth
and touches a member of the congregation with his hand, putting his blessing
upon him. That person touches the one next him, and so on, until all have
received "the Touch of Peace."
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Are you looking for a unique Christmas gift for an animal lover. Many of our original animal photos have been turned into great gift merchandise. You can search our animal lover gifts by type of item or by kind of animal. See the two lists below: Shop by Kind of animal: Shop by type of item: |
