Cedars, December 2019

December 2019 18 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT rice and raisins. Trinidad and Tobago Junior Justin Heerah, who hails from the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, said that Christmas celebrations in his country often last through December and into January. Family and friends will often travel to one another’s house and share large meals every day during this season. Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day (Dec. 26) in particular are times to visit relatives. Family members will even stay the night with one another from Christmas to Boxing Day. Heerah added that in Trinidad and Tobago it is import- ant that houses are completely clean by the end of Christ- mas Eve. People wax their floors and sometimes even buy new furniture for the occasion. Trinidadians also use Christmas as an opportunity to make a special drink called sorrel, which is a red, sugary drink made from the flower of a plant that only grows in December. Finally, Trinidadians enjoy parang music at Christmas. Heerah said it involves “a lot of stringed instruments and maracas.” Even though Trinidadians speak English, parang lyrics are in Spanish. Japan While many Christmas celebrations take part in Chris- tian-influenced societies, the Japanese, who have been influ- enced by Shinto and Buddhism, also celebrate the holiday. Japanese sophomore Mahiro Sano said that Christmas is celebrated more in Japan as a Western holiday than an explicitly Christian one. Secular American Christmas dec- orations abound, but not many Christian decorations. Japanese children receive gifts from Santa, and American Christmas music is also popular. Yuki Funakoshi described one more unique Christmas tradition: many people in Ja- pan eat Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas. Bryson Durst is a sophomore in the Accelerated B.A. +MDiv program. He enjoys theology, history, playing strategy games with friends, and anything “Star Wars” related. Photo by Emma Burgess Emma Burgess’ home church in France organizes a live nativity every year, and they share the Christmas story and the Gospel with over 1,000 people.