South Korean Christmas (Susan Ault)

From Kyong S. an English language learner from South Korea in Susan Ault’s class

The Republic of Korea allowed December 25 as a national holiday.  Therefore, from Christmas Eve until the next day, the 25th, it can be considered as a Christmas holiday.  There is nothing like a Christmas holiday like the West.  So Christmas doesn’t bring the whole family together.

All Christians are judged before Christmas comes.  On the Eve, a church celebrates the birth of the baby Jesus from 10 PM at the church, and when the mass is over, everyone at the cathedral gathers to eat wine and traditional food to enjoy the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  The next day, the mass is normally raised in the church.

Non-Christians believers gather on the Eve with their friends or party all night and enjoy a merry Christmas while walking through the glittering streets.  Young people enjoy wearing Santa’s costumes and enjoying Christmas. Most homes decorate the mini Christmas tree on the veranda.

All Children fall asleep on Christmas Eve night, hoping that Santa Claus will bring a present.  The next morning, they are delighted to receive a gift prepared for them by their parents instead of Santa, and look forward to getting another gift next year from their parents, not Santa.