UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS

(image courtesy of the internet) Although our family doesn't partake in the traditional meal and celebrations of Ukrainian Christmas, we still keep our Christmas trees up until after it is over and quietly observe the dates. My sisters and I are second generation Ukrainian Canadians, our father's parents having come to Canada from the Ukraine when they were young and settling in a small Ukrainian village in Manitoba, called Angusville.

A little information:

"Many families may have taken down the holiday decorations; but a lot of Ukrainians are just beginning to celebrate.

Unexpected, but welcome guests turned up on many doorsteps Thursday night -- carolers greeting households and singing traditional Ukrainian hymns.

The Ukrainian calendar is 13 days behind the commonly followed one, making Jan. 6 Christmas Eve.

It gives us an opportunity to focus on the spiritual, and it’s an excuse to celebrate Christmas twice, in different ways.

Preparation for the massive Ukrainian feast starts days earlier.

They enjoy the twelve meatless dishes, like a boiled wheat and poppy seed mixture, borsch and of course perogies.

No dairy products and the reason for that is when the Christ child was born, animals came to visit him.

But before anyone eats, another tradition. The youngest child of the house must spot the first star.

After lighting the breaded centre piece, known as the Kolach, it’s time for a prayer song before finally digging in.

At the table, an extra table setting, a tribute to the departed."

Merry Ukrainian Christmas!!


And if you haven't already voted and would like to participate, the "TEXTURE" theme photo contest is still taking votes over at Stardom Awaits! for about another week or so.

PEACE!
Love Jude