By mid December in many Swiss homes all is set for celebrating Christmas. Often a genuine fir tree is purchased and then lovingly decorated. Gifts are laid at the foot of the tree.

In quite a few homes you will also find hand made figures, with shepherds, a stable, a manger, the baby Jesus along with his parents Joseph and Mary. This set is made of clay. Often wood or fabric is used too.

During the Christmas celebration quite a few Christians would then read the age old and familiar Christmas story according to the gospel of Luke (Chapter 2) that renders the perspective of the shepherds:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.

The atmosphere in town is just great. Special Christmas decoration is up. Music is weaving through the streets. The scent of roasted chestnut is hanging in the air. Throngs of people are on the road. Excited kids are trailing behind their parents.

For many adults December is a stressful month. They have to get all the presents ready to give to their kids and the wider family when celebrating Christmas. The shops offer special Christmas sales. Advertisements suggest specific gifts for Christmas. The season has become quite commercialised.

December is also the time when the companies invite their employees out for a meal before the end of the year. There are Christmas plays at schools, concerts and church events are lined up too. People on the whole are really busy.

Christmas is actually a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ. Switzerland has become a rather secular nation where for the majority the deeper meaning of Christmas has been lost.

Most people are looking forwards to the week off between Christmas and New Years’ Eve. This is a short but festive holiday. In some way it has a bit the feel of Chinese New Year. Most restaurants and even hotels are closed in that week. Shops are closed or just only open on specific days. It is good to get stocked up and get ready for a time with family and friends and maybe already hit the ski trail.