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Most people don’t know that Kyiv is the birthplace of Christianity in the Slavic world. Ukrainians are used to having foreigners try to control the way that they worship. Despite the hundreds of years of Mongol control in the 13th century and the decades of communist control in the 20th century, Ukrainians have always found a way to put Christ at the center of their Christmas festivities. We served in Ukraine at a time of a great economic depression, but Ukrainians continued to celebrate Christmas. Once again, Ukraine is facing a Christmas season during economic and political upheaval, but they are adapting and celebrating Christ’s birth. Some notable things Ukrainians are doing this year include:

1. For the first time since 1917, Ukraine is celebrating Christmas on 25 December.
2. Yet, Following the imposition of martial law, the Ukrainian parliament implemented changes to Ukraine’s labor legislation that canceled all public holidays, Thus, Dec. 25. will be a working day for employees who work on a five-day schedule.
3. Christmas Eve (Holy Eve) is marked by traditional family gatherings in the evening of December 24 – the so-called Sviata Vecheria (‘Holy Dinner’). The festivities start with the appearance of the first star, though all preparations traditionally start from the very dawn. The table should be served with 12 dishes, which symbolize the twelve apostles.
4. Adorning Christmas trees with spider webs and hiding a spider within the branches.
5. On Dec. 25, many Ukrainians go to church for Christmas prayers, then gather with family. There are no gifts from Santa Claus in Ukraine on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Gifts are traditionally given on Saint Nicholas Day on Dec. 6 (Dec. 19 last year on the Julian calendar).
6. Baptism of Jesus Day. The holiday season ends on January 6, when Jesus Christ was baptized. On that day, people throughout the country will go swimming or take baths. They use the ice holes in the rivers for water consecration. This extreme activity is, of course, accompanied by the frosty seasonal weather.

 There are a couple of things I want to discuss. 

1. What do you remember about how Ukrainians celebrated Christmas?
2. How did your experience in Ukraine at Christmas-time influence the way that you celebrate Christmas?
3. What can Americans learn about Christmas from the manner in which Ukrainians recognize the holiday during times of upheaval in society?