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Centuries ago, the western half of Czechoslovakia was known as Bohemia. This was the 10th century home of Good King Wenceslaus,
the main character in the familiar English Christmas carol. It is said that English troops, fighting in Bohemia hundreds of
years later, brought the song home with them.
An ancient tradition shared by the Czech Republic and Poland involves cutting a branch from a cherry tree putting it in
water indoors to bloom. If the bloom opens in time for Christmas it is considered good luck, and also a sign that the winter
may be short. The hope of early spring helps keep spirits up during the long dark winter.
On Dec. 24th the Czechs celebrate Christmas (Vanoce). Little Czech boys, girls and kittens wait expectantly at their windows
for the appearance of a Little Jesus (Jezisek). Like Santa Claus in other traditions, Little Jesus (Jezisek), is the bearer
of gifts for children and kittens. Unlike Santa Claus, this Czech figure is not dressed in red, does not have a beard and
isn't accompanied by a red-nosed Rudolph or any other reindeer. In fact, Jezisek is more of a felt presence than an icon.
Anyone who grew up with Santa Claus can easily describe his appearance, but an image of Jezisek doesn't come quickly to mind
for most Czechs.
In most families, carp is the traditional dinner fare served with potato salad, fish soup, bread pudding, cookies and
"Vanocka". Vanocka is a bread like loaf with raisins, candied fruit and nuts inside. The dough is interbraided in
the loaf.
Officially, the Christmas holiday begins with Saint Nicholas day on December 6th, and ends on Three Kings (Na Tri Krale)
on January 6th. In villages, a group of boys dressed in long white robes and wearing paper crowns, visit homes. Using white
chalk that has been blessed by a priest, they write the initials "K+M+B" (Kaspar, Melchoir, and Balthazar) and the
year. This is a remembrance of the "Three Wise Men" who visited the Christ Child. This is done as a blessing to
the home. Although Czechs celebrate both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day most of the celebrations take place on Christmas
Eve.
The tree is usually cut down in the forest and secretly brought into the house and hidden in the cellar. No one is suppose
to see it until after the Christmas Eve dinner. Decorations are all handmade. An angel is placed on the tree top, signifying
the angel who appeared to Mary, asking her to be the mother of Jesus. A star was used by some, it signified the guiding star
that led the wise men to Bethlehem. Every decoration on the tree was significant to something such as the popcorn strung on
strings that encircled the tree signified the rope that Joseph held, leading the donkey to Bethlehem. Some trees were decorated
primarily with handmade straw ornaments, cookies made in shapes of angels, stars, doves and animals. Some trees were suspended
from the ceiling on a rope.
Attending Midnight Mass is a must. Many humans walk long distances to get there. Along the way they sing Christmas carols.
The shepherds can be heard playing bag pipes on the mountain side where sheep graze.
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Christmas is Britain's most popular holiday and is characterised by traditions which date back hundreds of years. Many
Christmas customs which originated in Britain have been adopted in the United States and Canada.
The first ever Christmas card was posted in England in the 1840s, and the practice soon became an established part of
the build-up to Christmas. Over a billion Christmas cards are now sent every year in the United Kingdom, many of them sold
in aid of charities.
Christmas decorations in general have even earlier origins. Holly, ivy and mistletoe are associated with rituals going
back beyond the Dark Ages. (The custom of kissing beneath a sprig of mistletoe is derived from an ancient pagan tradition.)
The Christmas tree was popularised by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who introduced one to the Royal Household
in 1840. Since 1947, the country of Norway has presented Britain annually with a large Christmas tree which stands in Trafalgar
Square in commemoration of Anglo-Norwegian cooperation during the Second World War.
Popular among children at Christmas time are pantomimes: song and dance dramatisations of well-known fairy tales which
encourage audience participation.
Carols are often sung on Christmas Eve by groups of singers to their neighbours, and children hang a stocking on the fireplace
or at the foot of their bed for Santa Claus (also named Father Christmas) to fill. Presents for the family are placed beneath
the Christmas tree.
Christmas Day sees the opening of presents and many families attend Christmas services at church. Christmas dinner consists
traditionally of a roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing and roast potatoes. Mince pies and Christmas pudding flaming
with brandy, which might contain coins or lucky charms for children, follow this. (The pudding is usually prepared weeks beforehand
and is customarily stirred by each member of the family as a wish is made.) Later in the day, a Christmas cake may be served
- a rich baked fruitcake with marzipan, icing and sugar frosting.
The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker
is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat, riddle and toy or other trinket. When
it is pulled by two people it gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.
Another traditional feature of Christmas afternoon is the Queen's Christmas Message to the nation, broadcast on radio
and television.
The day after Christmas is known in Britain as Boxing Day, which takes its name from a former custom of giving a Christmas
Box - a gift of money or food inside a box - to the deliverymen and trades people who called regularly during the year. This
tradition survives in the custom of tipping the milkman, postman, dustmen and other callers of good service at Christmas time.
In the Czech Republic, Christmas is also the most popular family holiday. It is also quite common for people to send each
other Christmas cards with their best wishes for the holidays. People buy Christmas trees, hang various decorations and Christmas
sweets on it. Some people prefer an artificial Christmas tree which can be used several times. We have the traditional Christmas
dinner on Christmas Eve. Some people follow the old tradition of fasting all day before the meal. Christmas dinner is very
rich but it is different from the English one. We have fish soup and the main meal is fried carp and potato salad.
We have a different tradition for opening Christmas presents. Children wait to hear a ringing bell signal from the "Little
Jesus". This usually occurs after the Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Then they unwrap their presents under the Christmas
tree. Many people buy mistletoe like in Britain but in the Czech Republic the mistletoe is a symbol of happiness. People celebrate
the coming of the New Year on 31st of December at midnight.
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