Christmas and New Year

A series of Christmas customs, congratulating and giving gifts are connected to Christmas, the holiday of the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated by Christians all over the world on 25th December. The day before Christmas is called Christmas Eve because on Christmas Eve the prayerfully vigil is done waiting the Midnight Mass and Christ’s birth. The vigil is connected to a number of customs: entering the thick log “Yule log” burning in a fireplace that night, burning Christmas candles, one or three, connected with Croatian tricolor. The vigil begins in the evening, when the family gathers around the table, still with Lenten meals, and entering the Yule log. Traditionally on Christmas Day, the big Christmas meal is prepared, on the table you can find all kinds of fruits, vegetables and meat, and Christmas biscuits, bread and cakes are especially beautiful. The whole family gathers around, and under the Christmas tree family members expect gifts. In some Croatian regions New Year is still called Little Christmas or Young Christmas, because till 16./17. century New Year was celebrated on 25th December. Once a family celebration of New Year was very similar to Christmas, therewith that Christmas was only among immediate family and New Year among friends and family. The expectance of New Year has lost its meaning of family holiday, New Year’s Eve celebration today is general, belongs to everyone, not just Christians.