For the special part of this first issue we have chosen to introduce to you
CZECH CHRISTMAS
Who Brings Christmas Presents in the Czech Republic?
Note: Don’t read this if you are one of the mystical gift-givers although you are most likely busy
sorting through the naughty and nice list.
The Christmas time is creeping upon us again. Santa Claus is preparing his sleigh, Grandfather Frost is
dancing around fir-trees and St. Nicholas is throwing alms through open windows of the poor again.
But none of them have the Czech Republic on their major top list. Granted, Santa Claus arrives with
this year’s trucks full of Coca Cola and Grandfather Frost shows up again on our televisions in his
most famous performance from his younger years, humbly named after him – ‘Father Frost’.
St. Nicholas just quickly stops by with his two friends, the angel and the devil, on the 5th December to
give candies to children who have behaved well for the whole year and lump of coal to those who
have misbehaved.
But on Christmas Eve , 24th December, they leave families in the Czech Republic alone. Instead, the
presents are delivered by – Baby Jesus.
This picture of baby Jesus in ‘manger’ from:
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=101499&picture=&jazyk=CS