The feast of Christmas has a rich history with unique customs, symbols, and rituals. It is set in honor of the birth in the flesh of the Son of God by the Virgin Mary in the Jewish city of Bethlehem.
In the year of the birth of Jesus Christ, a census was taken in the Roman Empire by order of Emperor Augustus. All the inhabitants of Judea were therefore ordered to come to the town of their birth. At that time, the time of childbirth approached, and Mary gave birth to her divine Son in the cave in which they hid the cattle from the bad weather. At the moment of Jesus' birth, the star of Bethlehem lit up in heaven, which led the shepherds and the magi to the cave. They brought gifts to the newborn baby and recognized him as the King of God.
The Holy Supper is an important event on Christmas Eve. Every year on January 6, believers' families prepare a festive dinner, which includes twelve fasting dishes - according to the number of the Apostles. The fasting on this day is especially strict: one cannot eat until the first star, symbolizing the birth of Jesus Christ, appears.

On the most honorable place in the house they put a didukh, which is a decorated sheaf of rye, wheat or oats. It is a reminder of the ancestors and the ancient traditions of farming in Ukraine.

On Holy night the whole family gathers around the table. The meal begins with a prayer "Our Father" and lighting a candle in memory of the souls of the ancestors. After that the head of the family blesses the dinner: "May God give us all a good health for the next year.
If the sky is starry on Christmas, the chickens will lay well, and there will be a rich harvest of peas;
Starry sky after midnight - summer will be dry and fruitful;
Trees standing icy at Christmas - to a harvest of nuts and fruits;
Snow on Christmas evening - there will be a harvest of apples;
Frost on the trees - summer will be wet;
If grains of kutya fell to the bottom - bad luck, and if they rose over the edge - good luck.