Editing Christmas Eve (section)

=== Serbia ===
[[File:Candle lighting a plate of oranges and smarties 1.JPG|thumb|Candles on Christmas Eve 2010]]
In accordance with the [[Serbian Christmas traditions|Christmas traditions of the Serbs]], their festive meal has a copious and diverse selection of foods, although it is prepared according to the rules of fasting.

As well as a round, [[Leavening agent|unleavened]] loaf of bread and salt, which are necessary, this meal may comprise roast fish, cooked beans, [[sauerkraut]], noodles with ground walnuts, honey, and wine.

Families in some Slavic countries leave an empty place at the table for guests (alluding to [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]] and [[Saint Joseph|Joseph]] looking for shelter in [[Bethlehem]]).