Christmas is the time when we should embrace and praise the family. The most beautiful time of the year is upon us. The lights are permeating through alleys creating captivating magic. Incredible areas bloom with Christmas decorations reflecting the Christmas spirit. Amazing warmth and joy spread among people making the world a wonderful place to be living in.

Macedonian people give a lot of attention to the celebration of Christmas, which begins with the Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas.

Christmas is a holiday full of symbolism. In our celebration of Christmas many things are different from place to place, but either way Christmas cannot be imagined without the Christmas Eve, the Christmas twig, the straw and the Christmas bread.

Orthodox Christmas celebrations begin on the evening of 5 January, known as kolede. Children go from door to door singing Christmas carols and receiving fruits, nuts, and sweets from the people. Later in the evening, the elderly gather around a fire outside and engage in a conversation about the past year and about the year to come.