Christmas Season Approaching
Every year, when January arrives, a period of anticipation and preparation for Christmas begins for many people in Serbia. Preparations begin long before the holiday itself. For many families, the period of fasting and spiritual preparation is the very foundation of Christmas. Christmas is not just a date — it is a time when families turn to themselves again; when, in religious households, with solemn liturgy, the sound of church bells, and prayer, the customs of long ago come alive once more. In the weeks before Christmas, people celebrate Detinjci (December 22), Materice (December 29), and Oci (January 5) — days devoted to family, giving, and playful rituals. Children symbolically “ransom” their freedom from their parents, while warmth and joy are nurtured within the home. In some regions these traditions remain strong, while in others they have faded. Still, the traces of these customs preserve the idea of family as the heart of the holiday. Two days before Christmas is Tucindan — a day once known for preparing the traditional roasted meat, accompanied by its own set of rituals. For Orthodox Christians, Christmas falls on January 7th according to the Julian calendar. Although the date is fixed, a whole series of traditions begins in each household — from fasting and cutting the badnjak, to baking the festive česnica and welcoming the položajnik. These customs carry immense significance — for faith, for family, and for the home. Everything leads toward Badnji dan (January 6th), when the badnjak — an oak or turkey oak branch — is cut, symbolizing Christ entering the home. In cities, bundles of oak twigs are often used instead of a whole branch. Around the badnjak there are many rituals: bringing it into the house, spreading straw on the floor, burning incense, placing grains, dried fruit, and walnuts in a sieve. The hostess sprinkles it with honey and wine as a gesture of good wishes for the family. When January 7th dawns, Christmas is celebrated with deep joy. Families attend the early morning liturgy. Everywhere, the greeting “Hristos se rodi!” (“Christ is born!”) echoes, answered with “Vaistinu se rodi!” (“Indeed He is born!”). At home, the česnica is prepared — a bread that is broken, not cut. A coin is placed inside, and it is believed that whoever gets the piece containing the coin will have a year of luck and prosperity. The česnica is broken into as many pieces as there are family members. The first guest to enter the home on Christmas Day is called the položajnik. His arrival brings a symbolic blessing and joy. This is usually a child or a dear person who is given special significance. With the exception of the položajnik, people do not visit others on Christmas Day — that day belongs to the family. The table is abundant, filled with homemade dishes, but the česnica always remains its centerpiece. Christmas is also a time of reconciliation, forgiveness, and returning to one another. The badnjak symbolizes Christ, the straw recalls the stable where He was born, and the grains and walnuts symbolize fertility and protection. The česnica carries hope, and the položajnik brings joy. For many families, Christmas is a blend of the spiritual and the folk, the old and the new. It is a time when the home reconnects with its roots, when the warmth of togetherness is felt again. Christmas customs vary from region to region. In some places, the česnica is sweet; in others, simple. The položajnik may be a child or an adult chosen for the role. The table may be rich or modest, but the essence remains the same — Christmas gathers, unites, and reminds us of what truly matters.
Every year, when January arrives, a period of anticipation and preparation for Christmas begins for many people in Serbia. Preparations begin long before the holiday itself. For many families, the period of fasting and spiritual preparation is the very foundation of Christmas. Christmas is not just a date — it is a time when families turn to themselves again; when, in religious households, with solemn liturgy, the sound of church bells, and prayer, the customs of long ago come alive once more. In the weeks before Christmas, people celebrate Detinjci (December 22), Materice (December 29), and Oci (January 5) — days devoted to family, giving, and playful rituals. Children symbolically “ransom” their freedom from their parents, while warmth and joy are nurtured within the home. In some regions these traditions remain strong, while in others they have faded. Still, the traces of these customs preserve the idea of family as the heart of the holiday. Two days before Christmas is Tucindan — a day once known for preparing the traditional roasted meat, accompanied by its own set of rituals. For Orthodox Christians, Christmas falls on January 7th according to the Julian calendar. Although the date is fixed, a whole series of traditions begins in each household — from fasting and cutting the badnjak, to baking the festive česnica and welcoming the položajnik. These customs carry immense significance — for faith, for family, and for the home. Everything leads toward Badnji dan (January 6th), when the badnjak — an oak or turkey oak branch — is cut, symbolizing Christ entering the home. In cities, bundles of oak twigs are often used instead of a whole branch. Around the badnjak there are many rituals: bringing it into the house, spreading straw on the floor, burning incense, placing grains, dried fruit, and walnuts in a sieve. The hostess sprinkles it with honey and wine as a gesture of good wishes for the family. When January 7th dawns, Christmas is celebrated with deep joy. Families attend the early morning liturgy. Everywhere, the greeting “Hristos se rodi!” (“Christ is born!”) echoes, answered with “Vaistinu se rodi!” (“Indeed He is born!”). At home, the česnica is prepared — a bread that is broken, not cut. A coin is placed inside, and it is believed that whoever gets the piece containing the coin will have a year of luck and prosperity. The česnica is broken into as many pieces as there are family members. The first guest to enter the home on Christmas Day is called the položajnik. His arrival brings a symbolic blessing and joy. This is usually a child or a dear person who is given special significance. With the exception of the položajnik, people do not visit others on Christmas Day — that day belongs to the family. The table is abundant, filled with homemade dishes, but the česnica always remains its centerpiece. Christmas is also a time of reconciliation, forgiveness, and returning to one another. The badnjak symbolizes Christ, the straw recalls the stable where He was born, and the grains and walnuts symbolize fertility and protection. The česnica carries hope, and the položajnik brings joy. For many families, Christmas is a blend of the spiritual and the folk, the old and the new. It is a time when the home reconnects with its roots, when the warmth of togetherness is felt again. Christmas customs vary from region to region. In some places, the česnica is sweet; in others, simple. The položajnik may be a child or an adult chosen for the role. The table may be rich or modest, but the essence remains the same — Christmas gathers, unites, and reminds us of what truly matters.