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Origin of Christmas Found in Folk Customs
Thursday 24 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - Slovak folk customs linked to Christmas Eve - December 24 - were focused on securing success throughout the coming year by concentrating together all the important components for contentment in life.
The day was marked as the beginning of the winter solstice. Originally, in the second half of December, the ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia, with feasts in honour of the sun and winter solstice. In around the 4th Century, this holiday was gradually replaced by Christmas. The date of birth of Jesus Christ, not specified in the Bible, was assigned to December 25. December 24 was viewed as the first day of a new annual cycle.
Various magic acts were performed that were designed to influence the future. For instance, it was said that the mood or frame of mind a person had on this day would continue throughout the upcoming year. If children were unruly and were punished, this would typically be the case next year as well.
The day was marked by preparations for the festive dinner. Men prepared to take care of the cattle even before sunrise. Women baked cakes and cooked Christmas meals. Not only the evening celebrations, but also the outcome of the upcoming year depended on these preparations. Many tasks were prescribed and others proscribed, accompanied by magic words and divination.
Magic was also involved in the arrangement of dwellings, which was linked to their purity. Houses, cottages, kitchens and rooms were adorned with evergreen boughs. A small straw tree was hung above the table. This was replaced by a Christmas tree in the 20th Century, under the influence of German culture.
The same applies to giving presents that were collected and brought by 'Baby Jesus'. The ringing of bells or gun salutes heralded the arrival of Christmas Eve when the first star appeared in the sky. Dinner started with a prayer. Eating leguminous plants symbolised riches, while honey and garlic was for protection of health. Anybody kicking the table's legs risked pain in their own legs in the following year. Blowing on the food could result in mouth pain. Leaving the table was also considered particularly inappropriate.
The candle's flame also held ominous portents. If the flame bent in your direction it meant you would die within a year. A cut apple or a cracked walnut also played a magical role. Girls wanting to marry pricked three matches labelled with men's names into an apple or walnut. The longest burning match indicated who the bridegroom would be.
Midnight is the time for a ceremonial mass in the local church. Water was said to turn to wine in the brook, while livestock spoke human language. The heavens opened and souls and angels visited the earth, so the leftovers of the dinner were left out on the table for them. All domestic animals were given titbits from Christmas meals, and fire and water were also offered libations.
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