The time of anticipation for Christmas - the first Sunday of Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which in the church year is the time of preparation for Christmas.

Dawn Masses and the Advent Wreath

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on December 24, on Christmas Eve. During Advent, early morning dawn masses are served, a very widespread devotion in northern Croatian regions. They symbolize the vigilance of Christians during the time of preparation for Christmas. The Advent wreath is a symbol of man's struggle against the darkness of life. This struggle is full of hope because the decorated Advent wreath signifies the victory of Christ the Lord: the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

It is woven from evergreen branches so that there is no beginning or end, which signifies eternity. The pine and holly in the wreath symbolize immortality, the laurel signifies victory over sin and suffering, and the cedar signifies strength and healing from all diseases. Often, a sprig of rosemary is also included in the wreath, because according to legend, it guarded the Virgin Mary on her journey to Egypt.

The Advent wreath consists of two basic symbols - a circle and candles, or light. Four candles are inserted into the wreath, which mark the four turning points in human history: creation, incarnation, redemption and consummation.

Sowing wheat and Christmas processions

On St. Barbara's Day, December 4, in Croatian regions, it is customary to sow wheat. In some regions, wheat is sown on St. Lucy's Day. The custom goes back to ancient cults of invoking a good harvest. Neighbors would visit each other and assess whose wheat was thicker, taller, more lush and greener. When the wheat grew, a ribbon of the Croatian tricolor was tied around it.

In Slavonia, Christmas processions began on St. Barbara's Day. The neighbors come and say: "Praise be to Jesus! Greetings on the fest of St. Barbara! You have been born, you have calved, you have foaled, you have piglets, you have lambed, you have kittens and you have laid down! May you be alive and healthy!" To which the household members reply: "May you be alive and healthy too!" Then the host brings home-made Slavonian sausage to treat everyone.

Saint Nicholas and Saint Lucy

During Advent, St. Nicholas' Day (December 6) is also celebrated. Then children are given gifts, modeled after St. Nicholas the Bishop, who, according to legend, secretly brought gifts to the poor through the window at night. St. Nicholas is accompanied by angels and Krampus, depending on whether the children are good or naughty, who receive a whip from Krampus, usually gold. Children clean their boots and place them on the windows before going to bed, and in the morning, when they wake up, they are greeted by boots full of gifts.

In some parts of central Croatia, family members hide under windows and rattle chains, scaring children that Krampus is passing by, thus encouraging them to be obedient and good.

Numerous customs throughout Croatia are also associated with St. Lucy's Day, December 13th, such as the day when girls write the names of 11 boys on pieces of paper, leaving one blank. Each day, they take out one piece of paper and burn it. They believe that the last name left is the name of the boy they will marry. If the last piece of paper is blank, they will not marry next year.

On the same day, children in Slavonia and Dalmatia give gifts. Boys visit houses with good wishes among Croatians in Hungary, and well-wishers from the Bunjevci in Bačka wish that the hen sits firmly on her eggs. Croats around Sarajevo visited houses looking for someone to give them something. They usually gave them eggs, some money, etc.

Since St. Lucy is a protector of the eyes, on that day the eyes are spared and no handicrafts are done in the vicinity of Zagreb, among the Croats in Bosnia and the Bunjevci in Bačka.

Badnjak - fish, fritule, fanjci, gibanice and badnjača

The name Badnjak (Christmas Eve) is connected with the word "bdjeti" (vigil) because on that day a vigil was held, awaiting the birth of Jesus. Due to customs, it was necessary to light the rooms with candles, which became symbols of new life and hope. Special candles, so-called voštanice (wax candles), were made, and three candles were often connected with the Croatian tricolor. It is also customary to remember deceased household members and pray for them.

On Christmas Eve, the household members got up early, and the women cleaned the house, made the Christmas meal and non-fat food for dinner because people fast on Christmas Eve. The men, on the other hand, fed the livestock, which should have been peaceful because of the Christmas festivities, and they also prepared firewood and procured food that the housewives would then prepare.

The usual meals were fish dishes, beans and honey, for example honey with garlic, fish in various ways, Brodetto with polenta, and various local cakes. Before Christmas Eve dinner, a candle was lit and a prayer was said. The meals were meatless and fat-free in accordance with the fast.

Source: HRT