Where in Europe do they put chicken bones on the hearth at Christmas? Nowhere that I know of, but apparently on St Nicholas’ Eve or Pakjesavond (5th December) the Dutch put shoes by the fire and sing, play games, and exchange presents. Something similar happens in Hungary, as EMF’s Tünde Salánki describes: ‘On the eve of 6th December, Santa Claus visits children and puts goody bags into the brightly shining, freshly cleaned shoes left by the front door', in remembrance of Saint Nicholas, who died on 6th December AD 343. ‘For Hungarian children’, Tünde continues, ‘it is the angels (Protestant version) or Baby Jesus (Roman Catholic version) who bring presents at Christmas. Not on Christmas Day, but on Christmas Eve. We as a family used to rush and go about preparations until lunchtime on Christmas Eve, and after that the holiday began. The tree never got decorated before Christmas Eve, as it was also delivered by angels/baby Jesus. For small children, parents decorate the tree and it comes as a magical surprise as it "appears" behind closed doors in the living room. Older children are usually allowed to help decorate the tree. When I first came to England it seemed a "sacrilege" to see decorated trees in homes from early December. For me, the tree was part of the "magic".’
In Germany, Poland and Ukraine, people like to hang a spider’s web on the Christmas tree. A spider symbolises good luck. In Norway, EMF missionary Martin Hjellvik tells us, they might give porridge to the family nisse, or gnome, on Christmas Eve, whilst in Finland they may have a festive sauna. And let’s not forget carol singers (koledari) and pigs in Bulgaria, where Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas Day. In mainland Spain, too, the Christmas Eve meal is the important one. Judith and Matt Hill were astounded on their first Christmas Eve as missionaries in Spain. No peeling 'spuds', ready for the big meal on the 25th! They were invited out to a friends' house, where a veritable banquet lay before them and presents were exchanged. Well, not exactly 'exchanged'. Our ill-prepared British exiles had not known to bring any! They also learnt that the ‘Three Kings’ give out more presents on 6th January.
Leonidas Kollaros, EMF missionary in Greece, writes: ‘On Christmas Eve morning, children go round homes and shops and sing a very traditional Greek Christmas song called ‘kalanta’, playing triangles and wearing Father Christmas hats. Naturally, they expect to be given money for their efforts!’ In a similar tradition, Romanian children (says István Salánki, Hungarian Church, London) love singing kántálás after the Christmas Eve service, the family dinner, and the opening of presents; István remembers how all the young people and even children would visit the houses of everyone in the group, standing by the window, singing five to six carols at each home. Their reward? Delicious cakes!
Europe, as you can see, is quite diverse, and who knows where these traditions came from? Many probably have a pagan origin. Even those actually linked with the Christmas story are often avoided by our missionaries because of their associations with the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Nevertheless, most EMF workers will seek to use the season to evangelistic advantage.
Stefano and Jenny Mariotti (Budrio, Italy) report: 'Here in Italy, Christmas is celebrated in a very similar way to the UK. Yet as a church we tried to ‘import’ the idea of Boxing Day and use it in a missional way!” (in giving presents of chocolates, together with Gideon New Testaments).
Two EMF workers who really make the most of this season as regards its gospel opportunities are Pál and Anna Borzási (Pericei, Romania). By mid-December, Pál’s congregation is already killing pigs, and baking sweet treats. The church has been decorated with a tree prepared by the young people, who ‘write many titles of Jesus and the biblical meaning of Christmas on different boards to be hung upon the tree’.
Before the family festivities begin, around two hundred children from the town are invited into the church building to hear the Christmas message, and to receive shoeboxes full of little gifts from UK churches. On Christmas Eve, after a special service, the pastor and his family go back home, ready to be visited by the congregation, who sing to them outside the house. Pál then speaks once more on the incarnation of Jesus.
The night is not over, for the church members go around the town carol-singing, even to the local mayor, and visiting the ill and elderly. Unbelievers are invited to the church next day. It's a great evangelistic opportunity. From 24th to 27th December Pál preaches 11 times in Pericei and nearby Vârșolț! He confesses: ‘Christmas is both a challenge and a blessing: by the end of Christmas, I feel very tired, exhausted of preaching'. But he says that he ends the four busy days rejoicing in fellowship enjoyed and in opportunities afforded to speak about Jesus.
Like Pál and Anna, many Christians will be looking to use the Christmas season in different ways to reach people with the gospel. How about you?
* https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-tips-for-sharing-jesus-with-others-this-christmas/
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