As in all other countries, Christmas in Slovakia is celebrated in a special way. Christmas time begins by lighting the first candle on the Advent Wreath. Boys and girls go singing Christmas carols around their town or village. They also say a prayer in the house with the family and they usually get some nice honey cakes, candy or even some money for their carols and good wishes. The table on Christmas Eve is set for the festive dinner, and there is always a spare plate on the table for an unexpected guest. The candle is lit and a prayer is said with the whole family. Christmas Eve is a fasting day with most families and we don't eat meat on this day. This is a tradition which is inherited from generation to generation. Midnight Mass in celebrated in my town in two languages. We have two Catholic churches there. In the Parish Church there is a Mass said in Slovac language and in the Franciscan Church the Mass is said in Hungarian. The following year it would be the other way round. After Mass good wishes are exchanged. On Christmas Day we usually visit other relatives and have a nice lunch with grandparents. Erica Laczova from Slovakia working in Ireland as a nanny. December 2004 |