ME/NA Christmas traditons

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't think this is the time nor the place to start a debate about this. Thanks!

Ok

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

A few more....

Christmas sunset, Jerusalem:

Palestinian child lighting candles, Church of the Nativity:

Palestinian man, getting ready for Christmas procession, Bethlehem:

Midnight Mass, Church of the Nativity

Palestinian children dressed as Santa Claus

Christmas Falafel, Bethlehem

Nuns, Priest at the Grotto, Church of the Nativity:

Star, Grotto of the Nativity:

Christmas Liturgy, Church of the Nativity:

View of Jerusalem from the Church of Dominus Flevit:

[sophyie 0]

Beautiful pictures!

Thanks for sharing.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I think Hicham really likes the cultural aspect of Christmas... or what I mean is that non religious aspect haha such as presents and chocolate and cookies.

He can't wait to open his advent calander!

[Michaela_Hassan 1]

I think Hicham really likes the cultural aspect of Christmas... or what I mean is that non religious aspect haha such as presents and chocolate and cookies.

He can't wait to open his advent calander!

thats great!!! I can just see it!!!

[jordanianprincess 0]

Palestine - Eid El-Burbara (Celebrated in Jordan and other ME/NA countries as well)

With the destruction of the remains of the shrine of Saint Barbara in Aboud, the last vestiges of this legendary figure in the Holy Land have been destroyed. But many people in Palestine do not know the feast known as Eid El-Burbara, celebrated on December 16th every year, is actually the feast of Saint Barbara. Traditionally, a sweet pudding-like dish known as burbara is prepared by women all over the country. The pudding consists of shelled and cooked kernels of wheat seasoned to taste with sugar, cinnamon, fennel and anis and decorated with dried, seedless raisins.

The legend of Saint Barbara is, perhaps not surprisingly, related to martyrdom. Known as a virgin martyr, Barbara's name does not appear in St. Jerome's (AD 340-420) martyrology. However, the Orthodox tradition has her down as martyr since the sixth century, when the Byzantine Church of Saint Barbara is believed to have been built in Aboud. It was during the 9th century that stories of legendary acts ascribed to Saint Barbara were included in the collection of Symeon Metaphrastes. According to both local folklore in Aboud and the written narratives by church historians, Barbara was the daughter of a wealthy Roman named Dioscorus. Local Aboud lore has it that she fell in love with an early Christian and converted in secrecy. Her father, a pagan, the story goes, had her put to death when she refused to recant. In the more westernised version of this story, her father first has her shut up in a tower with only two windows, which she secretly converted to three as a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Her father has her dragged before the courts after she confessed to her conversion and had her tortured in prison. Her father, or so the story goes, was killed by lightening after beheading his daughter. Barbara was allegedly executed along with her friend and fellow Christian Juliana, who also joined the ranks of martyrs. The sick and weak came to their graves in search of comfort and healing. There is a controversy as to where Barbara's martyrdom took place. According to one legend it is in Heliopolis in Egypt while others cite Nicomedia, near Izmit, in modern Turkey.

While the facts concerning Saint Barbara are often disputed, it is quite certain that she was venerated in both the East and West as early as the seventh century. As a result of her father's death by lightening, she has often been associated with protection from the dangers of thunderstorms and fire, sudden death and later by analogy, as the protector of artillerymen and miners. When gunpowder was introduced in the Western world, Saint Barbara was invoked as a protector from accidents resulting from explosions. In those early days artillery pieces often blew up instead of firing their projectile.

In the United States military, the Order of Saint Barbara is one of high honour. Both U.S. marine and army field artillery, along with their military and civilian supporters, are eligible for membership in the Order of Saint Barbara. The ancient Order of Saint Barbara and those who are selected for this honour have achieved long-term, exceptional service to field artillery. Ordnancemen of all races and nationalities have claimed Barbara as their patron saint. To this day the powder storage rooms of warships in France are called Sainte-Barbe.

This holiday is actually celebrated on the 4th by the Greek Orthodox. We did this yesterday, my Grams made Burbara and my whole family came over for it. It was alot of fun and so yummy!!!

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

cool thread folks!

Daniel

:energetic:

[cbd2cai 0]

Interesting stuff about St. Barbara, JP!!

Glad the burbara was good, LOL!!! Sounds a bit like cream of wheat

Edited December 5, 2006 by cbd2cai

[jordanianprincess 0]

Interesting stuff about St. Barbara, JP!!

Glad the burbara was good, LOL!!! Sounds a bit like cream of wheat

Its very similar but the wheat is cooked whole. I have some sitting next to me, afternoon snack lol.

[cbd2cai 0]

Interesting stuff about St. Barbara, JP!!

Glad the burbara was good, LOL!!! Sounds a bit like cream of wheat

Its very similar but the wheat is cooked whole. I have some sitting next to me, afternoon snack lol.

And you aren't sharing???

[jordanianprincess 0]

Interesting stuff about St. Barbara, JP!!

Glad the burbara was good, LOL!!! Sounds a bit like cream of wheat

Its very similar but the wheat is cooked whole. I have some sitting next to me, afternoon snack lol.

And you aren't sharing???

[AngelK96 0]

wow JP that picture looks pretty cool. Always like those jordanian blue skies they make the pictures look awesome I have a few.

Well today we went christmas shopping. As always spent a lot of money, but we had fun doing it. Both me and Anmar wanted to buy christmas gifts for each other but of course we couldn't because then we would know what we bought each other, so now i have to go look for something unexpected for him. I should just have him do a christmas list seemed like he wanted a lot of things for christmas.

[jordanianprincess 0]

wow JP that picture looks pretty cool. Always like those jordanian blue skies they make the pictures look awesome I have a few.

Well today we went christmas shopping. As always spent a lot of money, but we had fun doing it. Both me and Anmar wanted to buy christmas gifts for each other but of course we couldn't because then we would know what we bought each other, so now i have to go look for something unexpected for him. I should just have him do a christmas list seemed like he wanted a lot of things for christmas.

Thanks! I absoulutly fell in love with this photo when I saw it. My assistant sent it to me. At first I said ohhh I went there and stayed quiet. Then she kept looking at me and said don't you see the sheep???? I didn't even notice them, it looks so normal to me..

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I LOVE your siggy pic, JP !!! It reminds me of the time I saw a guy galloping through downtown Ramallah on a camel.... but drat I couldn't get to the camera in time.

Here are some more scenes from the Holy Land...

Bethlehem Christmas lights:

Palestinian girl watching Christmas show, Bethlehem:

Santa with Palestinian children at the Church of the Nativity:

Tatreez (Palestinian embroidery) Christmas stocking

Palestinian children lighting candles in the Church of the Nativity:

Christmas celebration, Church of the Nativity:

Filling the lamp in the Grotto of the Nativity:

Palestinian Angel

Young Palestinian gunshot victims receive Christmas gifts:

Bethlehem inside the Wall:

[jordanianprincess 0]

Wow I am tired, got my tree up today finally, LOL. One tradition we have is building a nativity. We use cardboard, lights, paperbags, and alot of patience. It took me about 3 hours to do this one but I am quite happy with the results. We usually build it under the tree, but I tried something different this year and did it on the fireplace since we don't use it anyway.

The Nativity

Tree & Nativity