ROMANIA. CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS. THE STAR

      The day before Christmas, children go from house to house to announce that the Christmas holiday is beginning. They send positive messages to people. They say that a bright, unique star appeared in the sky. This is the star that announces the birth of Jesus.

Children have traditional clothes to carol. One of the children holds a large star in his hand, the symbol of the event. The star is made of colored paper and fir twigs. It is adorned with long, differently colored ribbons.

In their song, the children pay homage to the mother of Jesus.

              The star is rising
              Like a big secret.
              The star is shining
              And the world announces:
              Today,
              Virgin Mary
               Give birth to the Messiah.

Children receive fruit, sweets and money as a reward. People are happy if children come to them with this star and let them know what happy event is going to happen.

In the last 30 years, Romanians have revived the tradition of singing about the Wonderful Star in Orthodox churches. Everyone sings there – children and adults, priests.