Romania

Like the rest of communist Eastern Europe, Christmas was not celebrated in Romania until after the political changes brought increased religious freedom in 1989. Carols form an important part of the Romanian Christmas celebration. Romanian carols are songs that give praise to the One who was born into the world to be our Savior. The carol singers walk through the streets of the villages and towns, visiting friends or relatives at their homes, singing of Jesus' birth to bring hope and encouragement to them.

 

A few days before Christmas, a feast takes place for the whole family, including a few friends and neighbors. A pig is butchered, and all eat the rind (the skin) of the bacon, as well as small pieces of fried pork.

 

There is also the custom of the Christmas tree, which must be decorated before the evening of December 24. Under the tree are all of the presents that the family members share with each other, mostly parents to children.

 

Both the Christmas and New Year's meals include fried pork with sausages and the traditional Romanian sarmale, or cabbage rolls.

 

Christmas and New Year's Eve are opportunities for family members to come together to share fellowship and joy. At some churches, New Year’s Eve services include a time of prayer at midnight, however most Romanians celebrate outside with fireworks.

 

 

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