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Christmas Eve on December 24 and Christmas on December 25 (January 7 on the Julian calendar) are some of the most important holidays of the year. Traditionally, these are family holidays, full of family traditions and there is something magical about it. Do you want to know more about Holy Eve and Christmas? We tell the signs and traditions of these holidays, what should be done and how to spend them correctly.
Holy Evening on December 24: traditions and beliefs
The main tradition on Christmas Eve is a family dinner. 12 dishes must be prepared for her - one for each of the apostles, or for each month of the year. The dishes are mainly: kutia, various dumplings, jellied fish or jello, stewed cabbage, donuts, cabbage rolls, beet salad and various salted vegetables. All meals must be fasting, because fasting lasts until Christmas itself.
They sit down to dinner only when it starts to get dark, and the first star shines in the sky. And, after dinner, they leave a little kuti and other dishes on the table - as a treat for deceased relatives. After all, there is a belief that they can visit you on this day. For them, a candle is lit on the windowsill.
There are still such traditions as asking for forgiveness and forgiving. On the eve of Christmas, you should wear clean and, most importantly, light clothes.
On this evening, Santa was made of hay - a symbol of Christmas, which Ukrainians had even before the Christmas tree. Hay was tied into a large sheaf, decorated with honey gingerbread and colorful ribbons.
You can't work and talk too loudly at dinner, you can't go far from home that evening and clean up all the dishes from the table after dinner. If there are an odd number of people sitting at the table, one more plate with a fork should be placed.
Such a holiday cannot be denied to the needy. On the contrary, if someone should not be able to spend this evening at the family table, he should be invited to his table, or at least share dinner.
But borrowing something or taking something on board on Christmas Eve and Christmas is considered a bad omen. Especially if it involves money.
Christmas on December 25: traditions and beliefs
Christmas is the second most important holiday for Christians, after Easter. On this day, according to Christian beliefs, Jesus was born. But, since the traditions of this holiday have become significant for everyone, now it is celebrated not only by believers. This is a family holiday, full of interesting signs and, of course, delicious treats.
What Ukrainians do for Christmas:
They eat kutyu. The one left over from the previous festive table. The next day it becomes even tastier!
And, also, Christmas baking. It is different in each country: honey gingerbread and baked apples with honey are popular in our country. In other countries, it is ginger cookies or muffins with spices and nuts.
They sing carols. Children walk and sing songs about the birth of Jesus. Adults often go with the nativity scene. And everyone who is visited by a cheerful company should treat them to something. They give candy or something from the festive table, small money, nuts or honey gingerbread.
Carolers often come not in plain clothes, but in costumes prepared in advance. They dress up as different mystical creatures or animals.
On this day, everyone rests, celebrates, spends time with family or visits neighbors or relatives. On the holiday table there are already meat and dairy dishes, various sweets.
What cannot be done is to leave a dish without tasting it at all. It is also impossible to deal with work and household problems. You can't wear old clothes, borrow something or refuse help to the needy. You can't cook jelly on Christmas, but also fight and shout.
How do you celebrate Christmas in your family? Do you follow Ukrainian traditions?
