Christmas as I Remember

Christmas as I Remember

So you ask, “Why even start writing this story?” Well, some will think that I have too much time on my hands, but some might find it entertaining and maybe learn a little about the two amazing countries Czech and Slovak republic. For those who already think they know everything, I say, “Are you sure about that?” Anyway, I thought that this newsletter would be a great opportunity to bring together the different generations of Czech and Slovak people in Minnesota. Why now? Well it is almost Christmas time and that to me is time of getting together with family and friends. Since most of us don’t have our families here, it would be nice to share our ups, downs, happiness as well as sadness.

I would like to share some of my Christmas memories as Christmas is my favorite holiday. This is not because of the presents, they are added bones, but for me it always has been about my family and the time when my family was together.  In our house, the Christmas usually began with beginning of advent and my mom decorating fresh pine wreath with four candles, pine cones and ribbon. Each candle would mark the four weeks until Christmas Eve and would be only lit on Sunday with all four candles burning on Christmas Eve. Than the race to create one perfect night would begin.  Mom started with baking Christmas cookies and by turning every corner in the house and making sure it was spotless cleanJ. Overall, the whole month of December is just like a big celebration and preparation. On the evening of December 5^th St. Nicholas (Mikulas) is wondering the streets with his helpers the angel (Andel) who represents the good, and the devil (Cert) who represents the evil. Dressed in costumes these three characters wonder the streets and visit people’s houses to see the children and give them presents. They ask the children if they were good throughout the whole year and ask them to sing a song and recite a poem. If they were good, the children receive candy from the angel, but if they were bad the devil might take them into his big sac and take them to hell or after little persuasion from angel just give them sack of potatoes or coal to remind them to listen to their parents. If you would like to learn more about Mikulas go to http://old.radio.cz/en/html/nicholas.html . For those of you who would like to see Prague or Bratislava during Christmas time, this is the time to go, not only because it is advent and the atmosphere is magical with Christmas markets, mulled wine, and the smell of the holiday in the air, but also because you get to see the exited faces of children on the St. Nicholas day. After St. Nicholas’ celebration is over the only thing left is to wait for the big day.

Czech & Slovaks celebrate Christmas or as we say Stedry Den (Generous Day), on Christmas Eve December 24. In my family, as well as most Czech & Slovak families, the Christmas tree is decorated in the morning on December 24. My parents always used traditional ornaments (such as glass ornaments, crocheted angels) some of them being as old as my parents. We also put chocolate candy on the tree, apples, nuts and live candles. Even though, now many people just use the Christmas tree lights my parents decorate with both. In our house, we always had a live Christmas tree. My mom & dad always said there is nothing better than the smell of fresh cut Christmas tree. It is our tradition to fast all day on Christmas Eve to see the golden piglet (zlate prasatko) in the evening. Christmas dinner is served after sunset in our house. Our dinner is composed of mushroom soup (can also be fish, peas or sauerkraut) , potato salad and carp. There are several traditions that surround the Christmas dinner in Czech & Slovak republic[1]:

-          The table should be set for an even number of guests. An odd number brings bad luck or death.

-          An extra plate can be used to even out the number of guests. An extra plate should also be prepared in case an unexpected guest or a person in need comes by the house at dinner time.

-          No one should sit with their back to the door.

-          No one should ever get up from the Christmas table before dinner is finished. Doing so brings bad luck and death in the family.

-          The first person to leave the table after dinner will be the first one to die in the coming year – that is why everyone should get up from the table at the same time.

-          All household animals should be fed after dinner so that no one goes hungry on Christmas Eve.

Also, there are several items that need to be present on the Christmas table that have significant meaning. Garlic and honey are placed on the table. Garlic is believed to provide strength and protection and honey is believed to protect against evil. Mushrooms give health and strength. A traditional meal called kuba, prepared from dried mushrooms, barley, garlic, onions, and spices, used to be served as the main meal in the past.[2]  Other traditions that are common are floating of walnut shells, cutting of apple and pouring of lead. All three of these have its charm. The floating of walnut shells is done by using empty walnut shell and placing a little burning candle. These little boats are then floated in a bowl of water. It the boat stays afloat the owner of that boat will have a long and healthy life. If a boat sinks, it will wring bad luck to the person it belongs too. The cutting of the apple is done by cutting and apple crosswise and once both halves are shown the center of the apple should be shaped as a star which means that everyone will get together next year in happiness and health. The pouring of lead is done by melting lead over fire and then pouring it into water. The shape the lead will take will revile the pourer’s destiny.

After dinner is finished, it is time to open presents. In my family, it is a tradition that the children sing Christmas carols in front of the Christmas tree before any present is open. Also it is my family tradition that the youngest child in the house takes all the presents and gives them to the person they belong too. Then we could start opening. In our house we always opened one present at the time with all of us taking a turn. That was always nice as everyone got to enjoy each other presents. Czech and Slovak children believe that Christmas gifts are brought by Baby Jesus (Ježíšek) who comes into the room through the window to leave the presents[3]. Unlike Santa Claus, Baby Jesus is a rather abstract figure with no particular physical image attached to him, and no one knows where he lives[3].Just like Santa though, he receives wish-list letters from Czech children a few weeks before Christmas[3].

Christmas has a special place in my heart even more now as I am so far from my parents and my siblings. This year is even more special as it will be first Christmas for our daughter.

Merry Christmas to You All!

---

[1] http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/christmas_superstitions.html

[2] http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/christmas_superstitions.html#foods

[3] http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/christmas.html