Today Slovakia releases it’s Christmas stamp, recognizing this as one of the most significant annual family and religious holidays. The stamp portrays one of the symbols of Christmas – the figures of the three Magi holding a Christmas crib from a Bethlehem scene.
Originally for Slovakia, Christmas was a feast celebrating the winter solstice. They had a variety of ceremonies and rituals focused on human well-being, prosperity of family, livestock and crops. Carol singing, well wishing and giving presents were the most common customs. Newer customs were gradually added to this older tradition. The original rituals gradually blended in with Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ. Between Christmas and Epiphany children and young people used to visit local households and act out scenes from Bethlehem and nativity plays, sing carols, and wish health and happiness.
