One of the most important Christian holidays – Christmas Eve, is celebrated today by all Christians. The family gathers in expectation of the birth of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

Christmas Eve was dedicated to the home, the fireplace, but to ancestor relatives as well, who were considered part of the family, Bulgarian News Agency BTA said.

Christmas Eve is the beginning of the feast celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Ritual bread with a coin in it, peppers stuffed with rice or stuffed cabbage or vine leaves, beans, lentils, boiled wheat, dried fruit compote are put on the table. According to the tradition the dishes there are, the richer the year will be.

The dinner begins with the censing of the table, the rooms, the cattle-sheds and the garden, so as evil spirits would be chased away. After the reading of the prayer, the head of the family tears the bread with the coin in it. The first piece is for God and is put in front of the icon, the second is for the house and the rest are distributed among family members. It is believed that the one the coin goes to, will be the luckiest during the coming year.

According to tradition, people should not leave the table during dinner. The table is not cleared after dinner because it is believed that the dead come to have dinner and to take care of the well-being of the living.