Christmas Eve is a magical time to my family.  It has been so since I was five years old and sneaking under the table to look at the presents while the adults kept eating.  But the magic wasn't in the presents, the giving, and the receiving.  The magic came from the traditions. 

The Tradition of Christmas eve dinner is long standing and the rules are strict.  The most important rule that stands out immediately to any outsider is that there are no glasses at the table.  No glasses because there are no drinks.  It is often referred to as the dry meal, but many participants don't like this derogatory title.  The food is very plain.  Flat bread, sour kraut, lima beans, potatoes, noodles, peas, make up the entree with dried fruit and raw garlic cloves near at hand for consumption. 

The traditional drink in all honesty makes the moniker 'dry meal' rather inaccurate. For after we've got on our way to devouring our plain but delicious meal, the head of the house brings out a bottle of whiskey. The bottle and the shot glass are passed around the table and each person makes a toast and takes a shot. It often becomes competetive as to who can make the best toast. The most meaningful, the funniest, you understand.

It is The Atmosphere that really raises things from comfortable and traditional to truly magical.  As one who loves to entertain in my home, I understand that it is the little touches that can make a passable evening unforgettable.  The house is to be completely darkened  for the meal.  The only lights permitted are those on the Christmas tree.  Other wise, there are two pillar candles like the ones used in church services on the table.  These two candles provide all of the light for the meal.  Once the meal has ended, the head of the table blows out the candles.  Everyone tracks the trail of the smoke, because it is the smoke that determines who will be the next to be married. 

I don't honestly know where the tradition comes from.  It is a tradition we followed blindly without question.  When it finally occurred to us to question the origin of our traditions, the grandparents were too old and confused to be able to give us an answer.  It doesn't really matter though, it is an honored and cherished tradition that will carry on for many more generations.