Christmas Eve and Christmas

Christmas Eve is the night before Christmas, when the whole family gathers on a festive dinner. Only Lenten fare is served on the table. The number of the dishes should be odd – the more dishes, the richer the coming year will be. After the end of the dinner, the table is not cleared, because people believe their dead relatives and friends come to have dinner and take care of the prosperity of those alive. Christmas Eve marks the celebrations connected with the Birth of Christ, or Christmas – one of the greatest and most loved Christian holidays. People believe that on Christmas the sky opens and all of a sudden all turns into light; however, only righteous people can see this light. On Christmas, everyone can make a wish and this wish will come true. In 20 century, the Bulgarians added another element to their Christmas festival traditions – the Christmas tree. This tradition came from Western Europe. The bright Christmas tree is an element in many ancient mythologies and has gradually turned in their symbol. Jesus came on earth to bring light to all people and their kingdom. With his coming, he brought a part of the sanctity of Heaven – the beautiful heavy with fruit Heavenly Tree. Therefore people richly decorate the Christmas tree, as a symbol of the Christ’s brightness, knowledge, purity, and truth.