Another Ukrainian Christmas tradition is that when the meal is prepared all the people in the household wear festive costumes to enjoy the meal in full fervor. The dinner table is decorated with beautiful table cloth and hay and a few wisps of straw are a part of the decorations this is meant to promote fertility in women and men and as a reminder of the hay in the manger of baby Jesus. The male head of the family offers a porridge to his dead ancestors and Mother Nature during this meal. He asks them to protect his family from harm and prays for prosperity. When the Sviata Vechera or the Holy Supper ends the family often sings Ukrainian Christmas Carols.
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