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Christmas Eve Begins With First Star
Thursday 24 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - According to folk customs in Slovakia, Christmas Eve - the most beautiful of the annual Christian holidays - begins with the appearance of the first star in the sky, which is announced by the ringing of church bells.
At the same time candles are lit, and following a prayer, a special festive meal is eaten.
In the past, various traditions were observed that were supposed to bring health and prosperity, and people told fortunes relating to health and life in the year ahead.
Pulses, honey and garlic were eaten to symbolise wealth or to protect people's health.
Many superstitions were linked to the midnight Mass, which for Christians marked the end of the pre-Christmas fast. According to traditional beliefs, water in streams turned into wine, cattle began to speak, and the heavens opened up, allowing souls and angels to come down to Earth for the breadcrumbs left for them on the table.
During the Christmas holidays, all farm animals were treated to Christmas meals.
Christmas gifts, brought by the Christ child, were an unknown concept in traditional Slovak culture, but the custom was brought here along with Christmas trees under the influence of German settlers.
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