Every Home the House of Bread

"Bethlehem" in Hebrew means the "house of bread." Christ is the "bread of life," the one through whom Christians understand the meaning and purpose of life to be restored. This is witnessed most graphically in the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. Christmas Eve is the culmination of "little lent" in the Slavic communities of Alberta. On the eve of the Feast of the Incarnation, each Ukrainian home becomes Bethlehem and each person discovers anew that he or she is created "in the image and likeness of God." Each person is encouraged to identify with the Virgin Mary (the Theotokos), and, like her, give birth to divine love in their daily life.

Just as the Star marked the place of the Nativity of Christ's birth, so this feast in recognition of Christ's presence in the life of the faithful begins only with a procession around the home searching for the first star in the night sky. The identification of the Nativity of Christ with the presence of Christ -- a restored creation -- in the household is initiated in this ritual action.

The family icon, candles and a sheaf of wheat called a didduk are carried in procession around the home, ritually welcomed and placed to preside over the feast. On this night of wonders all life is welcomed. The didduk embodies the family's ancestors and becomes a focus for prayers of thanksgiving and regard for all those who have entered the sanctuary of the cosmos, having clothed the family in life.