Christmas in Hungary

Commercialized Family Tradition

This is a time when the close family is together. The time between the 25th and New Years is when more distant family members and close friends visit each other, and time for big feasts and celebration and the exchanging of gifts. Unfortunately, these very important and meaningful traditions have become very commercialized and materialistic due to the media and market, and many people forget the true meaning of Christmas


By EDITH KISS
from Zalaegerszeg, HUNGARY


The main religion in Hungary is Christianity, because our first king, King Stephan, offered Hungary to the Lord and introduced Christianity to Hungary in around 1000 AC. In Hungary today, you can find many Christian and non-Christian religious groups, such as Catholic, Protestant, Evangelist, Methodist, Orthodox, Jewish, Buddhist, Krishna, Jehova, religious sects, etc, and many atheists as well.

Hungary's main religious holidays are connected to Christianity, esp. to Catholicism and Protestantism (ex. Christmas, Easter, etc.), which even atheists practice, but only the commercial side of it. According to Hungarian Christian tradition, the period of Advent leading up to Christmas begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas. This is called "Bronze Sunday", the following Sundays are: "Silver" and "Gold Sunday". This is the time for spiritual preparation, and a time for repenting your sins to have a clean soul for the birth of Christ on December 24th.

Fun for the Children

On the morning of December 6th, we celebrate the arrival of St. Nicholas, which is fun especially for the children. They have to put a pair of boots or shoes before their door on the night of the 5th, and on the morning of the 6th they'll find many sweets, goodies and oranges if they were a good child, and a stick if they were bad. I believe this tradition is to honour the act of giving, but I'm not sure of its deeper meaning.

The food with which the Christmas dinner is made, is usually brought to Church in advance (on the 23rd or earlier), and holy water is sprinkled on it. Sins can be repented at the latest by the 23rd in order to be born anew with a clean heart and to await the birth of Christ. Also, the house undergoes a big cleaning at this time to match the cleaniness which is in people's hearts.

Another important Hungarian tradition is "betlehemezés", during which a group of young people go from door-to-door and reenact the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This is usually done on the days before Christmas. The main actors are the Virgin Mother Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds, the 3 kings from afar, and the animals in the stable. The young, amateur actors are dressed in costume, and after the play, they are invited by the hosts for some snacks, drinks, and sweets, and sometimes a donation of money is paid for a good cause.

The most important and holy days of Christmas are the 24th and the 25th. This is a time when the close family is together. The Christmas tree is put up and decorated on the 24th in the evening, usually by the parents, and the gifts are then put under it. The children are usually told that "the Baby Jesus brought the tree and presents". This is followed by the opening of the gifts, which is to celebrate the joy of giving and receiving among loved ones. It's a very peaceful, harmonious and joyous time, when family is together, and all conflicts are resolved. Christmas dinner usually follows (traditional meal: chicken soup, turkey, mashed potatoes, steamed red cabbage, wine, poppy seed and walnut pastries, many different kinds of pastries, fruits (esp. citrus fruits: mandarins, oranges, etc.), and nuts). After this, the family spends some more time with each other, talking, telling stories, etc. and then everyone gets ready to go to Holy Mass at the Church, which begins at midnight. This is the holiest time during the celebration, when Baby Jesus, forgiver of sins, and saviour of mankind is born.

Family celebration

On the 25th, the close family still celebrates together and enjoys each other's company. The time between the 25th and New Years is when more distant family members and close friends visit each other, and time for big feasts and celebration and the exchanging of gifts. Christmas and Easter are probably the most important celebrations in Christian tradition (the birth and death of Christ), but Christmas is also the celebration of peace, love, joy, family, friends and togetherness.

Unfortunately, these very important and meaningful traditions have become very commercialized and materialistic due to the media and market, and many people forget the true meaning of Christmas. Large and expensive gifts, plastic Santas, huge bills, gleaming decorations and Christmas lights are what characterize Christmas in many homes today, and spiritual fulfillment, peace, love, joy and family are forgotten of. Unfortunately this is the tendency in many Christian homes as well, and many traditions are lost and become empty along the way. Many Christians today only go to Church at Christmas and Easter, instead of every Sunday, don't repent their sins, and even more, don't come at all. This is sad, but hopefully families will realize that this celebration has become empty and meaningless for them, and is missing its essence, and will try to do something about it.

I, for one, am looking forward to Christmas and to spending it with my loved ones! Wishing you and your families all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!