Merry Russian Christmas

If you live or grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania, you have probably heard of, or possibly celebrated "Russian Christmas." Since the time I was a child, it has been our family tradition to leave our Christmas tree up until at least January 7th in honor of this holiday (although there was one year when we left the tree up until April, but that's because we were excessively and stubbornly lazy.......................I truly wish that was a joke).

Our family is mainly German in heritage, but my Great Uncle Barry was Russian and when he married into the family, this tradition began out of respect for him. Uncle Barry passed away when I was in 6th grade, but we still remember him in this small way.

Below are the ways that eHow.com suggests we celebrate a Russian Christmas. We only follow Number 1 (again, because we're German and stubborn).

How to Celebrate a Russian Christmas

Christmas in Russia is celebrated by some on January 7, because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the old Julian calendar. Others prefer to celebrate it on December 25.

10 Steps:

1. Set up a "yelka," or Christmas tree, in your home and decorate it with colored lights and flowers.

2. Include a set of Russian nesting dolls in your decorations. These are famous and can be bought at local markets.

3. Plan to fast on Christmas Eve until the church service ends.

4. Prepare a modest meal without meat for Christmas Eve. Include "kutya," which is a porridge made of grains that symbolize immortality, and honey and poppy seeds to ensure happiness, success and peaceful rest.

5. Remind all your guests to partake from a common dish to signify your unity as a group.

6. Invite a priest to visit your home to sprinkle holy water in each room.

7. Gather in church on Christmas Day with family, friends and neighbors.

8. Plan a Christmas meal of goose and suckling pig.

9. Prepare for Grandfather Frost to deliver toys to your children on Christmas Day.

10. Expect Baboushka to bring more presents on Three Kings Day, which is celebrated on January 6 on the modern calendar. According to legend, she failed to give shelter to the three wise men who stopped at her home; now she roams the earth looking for the Christ Child and leaving gifts at people's homes.