Christmas in the Lebanon

Lebanon is in Middle East. All over the Middle East including Lebanon, people plant seeds of chickpeas, wheat grains, beans and lentils in cotton wool two weeks before Christmas. Seeds are watered everyday and by Christmas, they usually have shoots that are as high as six inches. These shoots are then used to surround the manger in Nativity scenes. A star is suspended over the scene of Christ's birth and figures in the scene are made from brown paper.

As a Christmas tradition in Middle East, people visit friends on Christmas morning. Coffee, liqueurs and sugared almonds are served to the guests. Festive Christmas lunch is the highlight of the holiday season celebrations and family gatherings are arranged at grandparents' home or the eldest sons' home. Traditional Christmas lunch dishes are chicken, rice and Kubbeh (a local delicacy prepared by mixing crushed boiled wheat known as 'burghul' with meat, onion, salt and pepper).