Show serbians glorify A abundant harvest the serbian strews his table with hay or straw at christinas christmas time and be he is likely to eat roasted suck ling pig for christmas dinner weather permitting a fire is built outdoors on christmas morning and the pig roasted over it on a spit the me Ser serbians blans as well as the croats have several christmas customs in common both plant wheat on a plate on december by christmas day there is a minia ture field of wheat which serves as a decoration usually placed on a window sill before sunrise on christmas morning the men of the family go into a nearby forest to fell a young oak tree it is selected with great care and traditional rites must be observed in cutting it down it must fall fail toward the east at the moment of sunrise it is brought home in state and lighted candles are held on each side of the door through which it is carried corn and wine are sprinkled on this yule log while wishes for an abundant harvest tor for the next sum mer are expressed As soon as the log is placed in the fire and is burning brightly a neighbor chos en beforehand tor for the ceremony enters the house to bring christ mas blessings he pours a little wine on the log and places a coin on it a symbol of prosperity for the coming year |