Christmas in Lithuania: Adam and Eve Day

Lithuanians observe December 24 as the feast day of Adam and Eve. In some parts of the country people set apples on the table in their honor. Some people observe another short ceremony with the apples. The lady of the house cuts an apple into pieces. Then she offers the man of the house the first slice and passes them around until everyone receives his or her piece. These apple slices remind diners of Adam and Eve’s act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Mary’s obedience to God’s will, and the resulting birth of the Savior celebrated on Christmas Day, provides an instructive contrast to this story.