Christmas in Hungary

The meaning of Christmas

Christmas traditionally is

a Christian celebration,

we remember to the birth

of Jesus Christ. But also

Chritmas symbolize the

love, family, and peace.

Advent wreath

Advent is the period of waiting and preparation for the celebration of the

Nativity of Jesus Christ.

Make or buy an advent

wreath

6th of December: Mikulás

Christmas markets

Cook and bake festive foods

Bethlehem games

Christmas tree decoration

Giving presents

Our Christmas costumes:

Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25, which is the Sunday between November 27 and December 3.

2013:1st December

In the Catholic Liturgy is convenient those advent wreath,

witch has got three purple and one pink candles. Nowadays there are

many kinds of wreaths.

Mikulás St Nicholas or Santa Claus also visits Hungary, but he comes on the 6th December. In Hungary we call him 'Mikulás’ and Télapó (Old Man Winter/ Father Christmas). Children leave out shoes or boots on a windowsill to be filled with goodies!

Szenteste In Hungary, Christmas Eve is very important and is called 'Szenteste' which means Holy Evening. People spend this day with their family and in the afternoon they decorate the Christmas Tree. Sometimes only the adults decorate the tree (without the children there), so when children come in and see the tree, it's a great surprise and they are told that Angels or Jesus Christ gave the tree and the girfts for them.

Harang csendül,Ének zendül,Messze zsong a hálaénekAz én kedves kis falumbanKarácsonykorMagába száll minden lélek.

Minden emberSzeretettelBorul földre imádkozni,Az én kedves kis falumbanA MessiásBoldogságot szokott hozni…

Christmas inspired many famous poets. One of the most beautiful is this poem from Ady Endre: Karácsonyi rege.

Christmas markets everywhere

In every market there is a Bethlehem

Bethlehem simbolyze the moment of birth of Jesus

Christmas decoration

Christmas Cactus

Santa Claus Flower

Christmas tree

Szaloncukor

„fondant candy”

The szaloncukor is Hungaricum,

because we are the only nation,

who decorate the Christmas tree

with this delicious sweet.

Nicely decorated Christmas tables

Traditional Christmas dishes

Fish soup prepared

with carp and catfishDifferent fish dishes

Traditional Christmas

dishes

Stuffed Cabbage

Duck leg with red cabbage and potatoes

Stuffed turkey

Gingerbread

Christmas beigli, with poppy, walnut or cinnamon.

Kalács =Hungarian sweet bread

Christmas gingerbread

We use this as Christmas decoration too.

We decorate Christmas table with it.

Bethlehem nativity playIt is the most famous tradition, which shows the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s dramatic game. Children shows it in the church and in houses.

The roles are the following:Mary (mother of Jesus)Joseph (father of Jesus)Shepherds AngelsThe 3 Biblical Magi: Melchior, Caspar, Balthazar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlyS5r7k93A

Famous Hungarian song at Christmas

Kiskarácsony, nagykarácsony, kisült-e már a kalácsom?Ha kisült már, ide véle, hadd egyem meg melegébe!

Jaj, de szép a karácsonyfa! Ragyog rajta a sok gyertya!Itt egy szép könyv ott, egy labda! Jaj, de szép a

karácsonyfa!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZhRWNaKVcw

Boldog Karácsonyt!

Merry Christmas!