The tenth most Christian country in the world is the People’s Republic of China, which has more than 48 million Christians. In China, Christmas is often celebrated alongside Dongzhi, the winter solstice festival. Families gather to make and eat tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings), a customary Dongzhi treat.
In Ethiopia, which is home to 53 million Christians, there's a fascinating connection between Christianity and coffee. Legend has it that coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi, who noticed his goats became energetic after eating certain berries. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced a newfound vitality. The story goes that Kaldi shared his discovery with a monk, and together, they began using the berries to make a drink, eventually leading to the creation of coffee as we know it today.
Italy boasts a Christian population of over 53 million and a unique tradition involving the Vatican's Swiss Guard, the official guards of the Pope. Every year on May 6th, the Swiss Guard celebrates its swearing-in anniversary with a solemn ceremony. What makes it interesting is that the guards, dressed in their distinctive Renaissance-style uniforms, renew their oath in a lighthearted and festive atmosphere, complete with a band playing music and a crowd of spectators.
In the DR Congo, Christianity plays a significant role in cultural expression to the nation’s 63 million believers. The vibrant religious music genre known as Kimbanguism is a fusion of Christian hymns and traditional Congolese rhythms. This unique musical style has become a distinctive feature of worship in the Kimbanguist Church, showcasing the blending of Christianity with indigenous culture.
With 80 million believers, Russia is the sixth most Christian nation. In Russia, many people celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, which falls on January 7th. One colorful aspect of the holiday is "Grandfather Frost" (Ded Moroz) and his granddaughter, the "Snow Maiden" (Snegurochka), who bring gifts to children during the festive season.
The nearly 87 million Christians in the Philippines have a colorful tradition known as the "Simbang Gabi" or "Misa de Gallo." It is a series of nine dawn Masses leading up to Christmas Eve, typically held as early as 4:00 AM. After attending the early morning Mass, it's a common Filipino tradition to enjoy various local delicacies sold outside the churches and socialize.
Nigeria has more than 88 million believers nationally, so it makes sense that its National Christian Centre is an important venue. This building is significant because of its unique architecture, which incorporates a giant central auditorium and a massive central altar. The design is distinctive, resembling a giant inverted bell or a crown.
Mexico’s 108 million Christians make it the third most Christian country globally. In Mexico, there is a Christmas tradition, Las Posadas, in which neighborhoods come together to reenact Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. This tradition not only reflects the religious significance of Christmas but also emphasizes the importance of community, hospitality, and solidarity.
Despite its much smaller size, Brazil is the second most Christian country, with nearly 181 million believers. In Brazil, there is a unique annual event called the "Círio de Nazaré," which is one of the largest religious processions in the world. People from all walks of life, regardless of religious denomination, come together to celebrate Mary, the Lady of Nazareth.
With 230 million Christians, the U.S. is the most Christian country in the world. So Christian, in fact, that we have “In God we Trust” minted on our currency, and one of the oldest federal offices is that of a chaplain! The Senate Chaplain has been responsible for opening each session of the Senate with a prayer, providing spiritual guidance to senators and their staff, and offering pastoral care since 1789.
