Christmas in Russia
"'S Rozhdestvom Khristovym"
In Russia they have to wait until 6th January for Christmas Eve to come. Once the first star has appeared in the sky the fast is over and the feast begins! They have a twelve-course meal in honour of the twelve apostles. The meal includes fish, beet soup (borsch), cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked driedfruit and much more.
It is Baboushka who brings gifts to the children in Russia. She offered food and shelter to the Three Wise Men on their journey to Bethlehem. She was asked to accompany them but she said she had to clean her house. Later she tried to catch them up but it was too late. Now she is supposed to be still seeking Jesus and at Christmas when she sees a sleeping child and hears of good deeds she leaves a toy from her basket. Baboushka is not the only giftbringer in Russia. Being a very big country it is Grandfather Frost (an icy elf) who visits the children and leaves presents in some parts.
