Show serbians Serb ians glorify A abundant harvest the serbian strews his table with hay or straw at christmas time and he is likely to eat roasted suckling pig for christmas dinner weather permitting a fire is built outdoors on christmas morning and the pig roasted over it on a spit the Ser serbians Serb ians blans as well as the croath croats have several christmas customs in common both plant wheat on a plate on december by christmas day there is a miniature 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 i and wine are sprinkled on this yule log while wishes for an abundant harvest for the next summer are expressed As soon as the log is placed in the fire and is burning brightly a neighbor chosen beforehand for the ceremony enters the house to bring christmas blessings he pours a little wine on the log and places a coin on it a symbol of prosperity for the coming year |