Christmas - Ukrainian

Hello! I am Ukrainian Christmas. In the Ukrainian language, my name is Rizdvo. I am an important holiday for many people who are part of the Christian faith, as I mark the day they celebrate the birth of Jesus. My date can be a little different depending on the community. For a very long time, people observed me on January 7th. In recent years, many people in Ukraine and around the world have also begun to celebrate me on December 25th. No matter which day families choose, my spirit of joy and tradition remains the same.

My main celebration begins on Christmas Eve. As the sun sets and the sky grows dark, families gather together. They watch the windows, waiting patiently for the very first star to appear in the night sky. Seeing that star is the signal that it is time for a special meal. This meal is called Sviata Vechera, which means Holy Supper. It is a quiet and meaningful dinner. The table is set with twelve different dishes. These dishes are all made without any meat. The number twelve is very important because it honors the twelve apostles of Jesus, who were his closest followers.

One of my most cherished symbols is brought into the home right before the Holy Supper. It is called the didukh. The didukh is a beautiful bundle carefully made from the best stalks of wheat gathered during the year’s harvest. It looks like a small golden sheaf. When a family brings the didukh into their home, it is a way of remembering their ancestors, the family members who lived long ago. Placing it in a special spot also shows their hope for a good harvest and a prosperous year ahead. The didukh connects the family to the earth and to their own history.

After the quiet meal on Christmas Eve, my celebrations become filled with music and song. During my observance, you can often hear the wonderful sounds of caroling. Groups of people, especially children, bundle up and go from one house to the next. They sing special Christmas songs called koliadky. These songs are full of cheerful wishes for the families they visit. Through the words of the koliadky, the carolers wish everyone good health, happiness, and fortune for the new year. It is a joyful way to share the spirit of the holiday with the whole community.