Whether it’s singing happy birthday to Jesus, or having a 12 course Lenten meal, families come together every year to celebrate the holiday.

“We decorate a tree,” said senior Albert Pennachio. “We have decorations in the yard, and we use a lot of tinsel.”

Most people do a lot in common in preparation for Christmas like putting up decorations or being surrounded by family and friends.

Senior Makenzie Kurtz said, “This year I decorated a little early in my room. I think I put up my tree later in October but we always decorate the rest of the house the day after Thanksgiving.”

“We have a Christmas tree and other types of decorations,” said Mrs. Sheptak. “We usually try to have everything up by December 19, which is Saint Nicholas Day.”

Her husband is of Ukrainian Orthodox Christian, so they share unique traditions and celebrate different holidays.

Mrs. Sheptak’s family uses the Julian calendar, so they celebrate the Nativity (Birth) of Christ on January 7th. They do all the same things other people would do on Christmas Day.

For those who don’t understand the Julian calendar, educate yourselves here.

Sheptak said, “However, my mom is Methodist, so we celebrate with her on December 25.”

Christmas break is an exciting time for students and teachers alike, so we can all rejoice in the fact we get a break from school.

“My plan for break is to not think once about school and hang out with friends and family,” said Kurtz. 

“I’m going to play video games, go to work, and hang out with my friends,” said Pennachio

Most people on Christmas Eve spend time with their family or go to church.

“Every Christmas Eve,” said Kurtz, “the family all goes to my grandma’s house and we sing happy birthday to Jesus, and then give each other gifts.”

Does Jesus have a cake, and if so who’s blowing out the candles?

“We go to church on Christmas eve for a service called Grand Compline,” said Sheptak. “We 

sing Ukrainian Christmas carols.”

I had never heard listen to a Ukrainian Christmas carol before, but there is always a first for everything. Listen for your first time here.

Sheptak’s Christmas eve is on January 6th, where they have a special meal around 4 pm.

“It’s a Holy night, a peaceful night, so we don’t use forks or knives. Just spoons. We have hay under the tablecloth which reminds us Christ was born in a manger with the animals. We set a place at the table for those who are no longer with us. We eat a Lenten meal (no meat or dairy). There are 12 courses,” Sheptak explained. 

12 courses is a lot of food, and with only spoons! 

Sheptak said, “We start with passing around prosfora (holy bread) and honey. Then salt and garlic. We have fish, vareneky (pierogies) of various types (potato, kraut, prune, sometimes cherry), we have a special kind of bread, sauerkraut barley soup, plums and kidney beans, krupi halupki (stuffed cabbage with buckwheat inside), muchanka (mushroom gravy), kutya (buckwheat groats with honey, poppy seeds, and nuts). There’s also a special Christmas bread with honey and poppy seeds on top. We make a big sheet pan sized loaf, and everyone grabs pieces (since we’re not using knives). These are all traditional Ukrainian dishes passed down through the generations.”

I couldn’t imagine my Christmas dinner without meat or dairy, but it honestly doesn’t seem too bad.

Christmas Day is undoubtedly the best, especially when it comes to the presents.

Sheptak said, “We get up early on Christmas Day (January 7) to open presents, then we go to church.” 

“A lot of my family get together,” said Pennachio. “We have a Madden Tournament and we always have dinner.”

In conclusion, it doesn’t matter when you’re celebrating Christmas, it’s a time to celebrate with your loved ones and to spread cheer.

Kurtz said, “Merry Christmas!”