Orthodox Christians fast (read: abstain) from meat and dairy products for 6 weeks prior to the Feast of the Nativity. We eat vegetables, grains, shellfish, and on certain days we also eat "fish with fins." While we abstain from olive oil and wine, mild beer or kvass (a lightly fermented Russian drink) is usually "allowed." On certain days during the fast, we "celebrate" with olive oil and wine. If it is a "fish day," it is also a "wine and oil day!"
Now that you are totally confused,
I'll tell you that we "cheat" - we have calendars with indications as to what the fast permits each day! ;-)
The Eve of Nativity is still a "fasting" day - no fish, no wine, no oil, no meat, no dairy! Yet we celebrate that night! How do we do this? By serving special dishes and decorating our tables and dining areas.
Since I am Russian Orthodox, let me tell you about the Eve of the Nativity as celebrated in the Slavic tradition.
Christmas Eve ends the Advent fast, and marks the beginning of the Christmas feast. The Holy Supper begins traditionally when the first star becomes visible and after the Vespers for the Eve of the Nativity is served.
Although the menu may vary, preparation of these dishes is a ritual, and serving, another. In most homes, the prepared dishes are brought to the table and eaten one at a time only after prayers have been offered by the family ending with the Christmas troparion: Thy Nativity O Christ our God.....
The entire family gathers for the supper at dusk. If any member of the family is absent or has died during the preceding year, a vacant chair at the table symbolizes his or her spiritual participation in this meal. The central focus of the holy supper is the blessed candle which is lighted by the mistress of the home, grandmother, mother or elder sister
Hay or straw is placed under the table to symbolize the poverty of Christ is a humble manager, reminding us vividly of the straw that filled His manager. The table is covered with a white cloth as a symbol of the swaddling clothes of the Christ child. A loaf of bread is placed on the tables representing Christ’s presence as the bread that gives us life. The blessed candle is placed in the bread further exemplifying Christ as the Light of Life. As the table is set, an extra setting is made to receive a stranger in the spirit of Christian hospitality.
The Christmas Eve meal itself consists of 12 dishes served in honor of the 12 Apostles. Since it is the day before the Feast of the Nativity it is a day of fasting and spiritual preparation—oil and wine usually is allowed, but no fish.
Bread (Kracum) is served and each dips a piece in honey and eats it with a slice of raw garlic. Honey is symbolic of the sweetness of being with our Lord. Garlic is eaten raw on the bread dipped in honey—intended to keep away the evil spirits
Kutyia, a special rice dish made with honey and fruit, symbolizes good life and prosperity
Soup is usually served. This may be cabbage, mushroom, split pea, caraway, lima bean, sauerkraut, or borscht
Potatoes, mashed or boiled are always served.
Mushrooms with onions
Sauerkraut
Piroghi filled with potatoes, sauerkraut or prunes
Cabbage stuffed with rice or mushrooms
Rice
Fruit, fresh or dried fruit such as prunes or apricots
Nuts
Legumes of some sort usually are served: Lima beans, Peas, Lentils
Red wine
Piroghi are a form of dumpling made from dough (either risen or non-risen) that is rolled out, cut into circles and folded over about a heaping coffee-spoon of another food, like cooked mashed prunes, sauerkraut, or mashed potatoes with garlic. Once formed, the edges are pressed together either by pinching or using the tines of a fork. Then the piroghi are boiled. They are "done" when they rise to the surface of the water. At this point they may be fried lightly in margarine or oil to give them a light crust, or served as they are.
With some local variations, this is the traditional way Russians, Ukrainians, Serbians, Georgians, and Bulgarians celebrate the Eve of the Nativity.
Cheerio!
Elizabeth