“In our tradition, tonight is Saint Barbara eve. To some countries in the Middle East, it is the kick off of the Christmas season, as Thanksgiving is to others.

The general belief is that Saint Barbara disguised herself in numerous characters to elude the Romans who were persecuting her.

The Wikipedia reading Saint Barbara, known in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early Christian Lebanese and Greek saint and martyr.

A sneak peek to her journey, from the same link:
According to the hagiographies,^[3][6] Barbara, the daughter of a rich pagan named Dioscorus, was carefully guarded by her father who kept her locked up in a tower in order to preserve her from the outside world. Having secretly become a Christian, she rejected an offer of marriage that she received through her father.

In our traditions, children will disguise in masks and and outfits, they go door to door chanting, and celebration while adults prepare the wheat tradition.
Barbara tradition involves the planting of wheat seeds or sometimes chickpeas, barley grains, beans, lentils etc) on a bed of cotton on December 3rd. When the seeds germinate and grow, they are usually placed below the Christmas tree, next to the nativity scene.

Cooking wheat – very healthy and a must have
The traditional food for the occasion is Burbara, a bowl of boiled barley, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise and sugar. Walnuts or almonds can be added. 
https://www.themediterraneandish.com/burbara-wheat-berry-pudding/

The fryers and traditional Barbara sweets
Barbara Sweets

Eid el-Berbara traditional sweets

All yummy, and worth the kilos or pounds we will add on the curves.

Basically, it’s the season that I wait for, and as well, no matter how joyful, it brings tears to my eyes..
Family dispersed here and there…
Members no longer with us, and I consider traveling…
& the amount of pain, poverty, and hatred in the world, keeping some holiday-less!

Anyways, we try, we all lend a hand of kindness, we spread the joy with positive spirit, and that is life at the end of the day!”
#MOI Blessed season to you all!

Host of online Livestream & Author of

*Life’s Detours – Alexandra’s Choices
Book by #MOI, Can broken hearts be mended?

*Where is My Angel?
Book by #MOI and Read about the role of Faith in my life

*Mommy, I am a PACER!
Book by #MOI because I believe that children are the future, the change…

All are available on this Amazon link: Click to purchase or view the books
Through the publishers:
Archway Publishing from Simon and Schuster: Life’s Detours – Alexandra’s Choices
Novum Publishing link: Where is My Angel?
Dorrance Publishers link: Mommy I Am a PACER!

Follow me @ https://youreverydaycoffeeblog.wordpress.com/
Subscribe for free to my I Channel, News & Broadcast on YouTube
Feel free to contact me at youreverydaycoffeeblog@gmail.com

 Let’s Stay Connected
*LinkedIn *Twitter *Instagram *Facebook – BH personal *Facebook – Author & Blogger Your Everyday Coffee 
​Follow my *Blog
​Subscribe to *I Channel, News & Broadcast on YouTube

**Click, Stay Informed, Do Your Part, Save the Environment**