Christmas Around the World: Iraq

I found this to be interesting.  One wouldn't normally consider Iraq when considering countries to cover for Christmas, but actually, the Iraqi Christians have a rather beautiful Christmas tradition.  The children read the Christmas story as other family members hold lighted candles.  We did it a little different.  I read the Christmas story from the Bible while the children held/watched their candles.

When the reading is done, the Iraqi Christians light a bonfire of thorn bushes and sing songs.  When all the bushes have burned to ash, each family member takes a turn jumping over the ashes three times and makes a wish.  If all the bushes burn completely, good luck is granted for the new year. 

It would have been fun to build a bonfire and sing Christmas songs, but it rained most of the day here.  There was no hope of finding anything that would burn.  Next year, right?  :)

Until we meet again, may you be blessed!