© Slovak Post, 2005 Christmas is one of the most significant annual family and religious holidays. In the current civil calendar, three days from 24th through 26th of December are reserved for Christmas. According to the religious calendar, the Christmas cycle lasts from 24th of December until 6th of January, i.e. until Epiphany. It is a festive period to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Originally Christmas was a feast celebrating the winter solstice. The ceremonies, rituals and restrictions related to this period 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, which were mostly inspired by Christian legends. The original rituals related to well-being ended or their significance changed. Biblical motives of the birth of Jesus Christ blended in with folk tradition. 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. The stamp portrays one of the symbols of Christmas – the figures of the three Magi holding a Christmas crib from a Bethlehem scene. Zora Valentová