Do Georgians celebrate Christmas? Yes! In fact, traveling to Georgia around January is popular because it’s one of the oldest countries that first celebrated Christmas. Why is it during January, though? We’ll answer this question and more as we give you the best guide on saying Merry Christmas in Georgian. Practice these few Georgian Christmas greetings so you won’t stumble speaking during that Christmas dinner with your friends.
It’s almost that time of the year again, and everyone’s excited to spend their holidays with their loved ones and family. For Georgia, most households celebrate the birth of Christ in many unique ways. Christmas is a traditional holiday season marked by the Orthodox Church in Georgia for many centuries. However, there are a few similarities and differences that you’ll encounter in celebrating the modern and traditional holiday spirit.
Whether you spend time wandering the streets of Tbilisi during the celebrations or enjoying the beauty of Christmas in the rural side of Mestia, you’ll have to speak Georgian. Gear up on language learning and learn to talk Georgian Christmas greetings in this article.
How Do Georgians Celebrate Christmas?
The Georgian word for Christmas is shoba (შობა), literally meaning birth.
Have you ever wondered how Georgians celebrate their Christmas and New Year? With any culture that every country has, there are many ways that one can celebrate global holidays.
But what makes Georgians different from a traditional American or German Christmas? Do they sing carols, give gifts to their loved ones, or celebrate Christmas differently? Before learning a new language, it’s best to understand their country’s culture first.
Georgians Celebrate Christmas On A Different Day
Did you know that Georgia has a different Christmas day? The traditional date for celebrating a Merry Christmas worldwide is December 25. However, Georgians spend their time celebrating Christmas on January 7. Why is it different from the rest of the world? The Julian calendar (from the Roman emperor Julius Ceasar) was followed by Georgia through the Eastern Orthodox Church, particularly the Oriental Orthodoxy, Berbers, and Anabaptism. Since it’s the predominant religion in Georgia, even the change to the Gregorian calendar system wasn’t pursued when they celebrated Christmas.
In fact, you’ll hear Georgians say “Happy New Year!” or gilotsavt akhal ts’els (გილოცავთ ახალ წელს) before even celebrating Christmas! But, many modern Georgians today still hold a mini gathering with their friends on December 25 or if they’re celebrating outside Georgia. Don’t be shy to greet them with your warm wishes on this day too!
Going To A Georgian Orthodox Church
At least 83.4 percent of the Georgian population identifies as Eastern Orthodox Christians. Many of these traditional beliefs from the Georgian Orthodox church date back to the 1st century AD when the late Christianization of Iberia and Colchis took place.
In Eastern Orthodox Churches, they observe the birth of Christ by burning Frankincense, one of the gifts that the Magi or wise men gave to Jesus as a child. A common Georgian family will go to church and offer their sacrifices with Lenten bread, fruits, nuts, and other specific meals designated for this event.
Singing Christmas Carols And Receiving Gifts In Georgia
Children, adults, and the elderly worldwide get together to sing their favorite songs, send and receive their gifts, and greet everyone with a card.
A Christmas card in Georgian called sashobao barati საშობაო ბარათი is present in every household or gathering. In Georgia, Christmas card-sending and gift-giving are not really the highlight. Many of the winter solstice events are aimed at respecting the older practices of the Orthodox church. But, you’ll expect them to sing carols all night long to bring that warm feeling of being together and get encouragement from the presence of each other.
Putting Up A Christmas Tree
Everywhere you go, there is a tremendous amount of decorated houses full of wreaths and bangles or anything that reminds you that Christ is the centerpiece for nativity sets. But with any festive tradition, there is a house that will always have a Christmas tree decorated extravagantly.
But, one unique trait of setting up Christmas trees or chichilaki (ჩიჩილაკი) in Georgia is how they look. It is traditionally made from branches of walnut or hazelnut that look like strings. They are also often burned as a commemoration for purging all tribulations and hardships that Georgians felt over the past year.
Celebrating The Christmas Day With Food
There’s no Georgian Christmas season without a Christmas dinner to complete it. Many Georgians celebrate this festive period with no meat served cold as they enjoy their satsivi, a stew with walnuts, Chicken or Turkey, and a mix of seasonings.
Typical food, vegetables, and meals prepared on New Year and Christmas are almost identical. Time and effort are well worth it, as many families love preparing hearty meals that are delicious and healthy.
6 Amazing Georgian Christmas Greetings
Be of good cheer! Georgia loves hearing other people say have a holly jolly Christmas with a night full of happiness and food. You might be shocked that even an old country like Georgia will spend a whole week of delightful festivities.
So, if you’re ready and eager to study Georgian language, you won’t have a hard time greeting your Georgian buddies with these six unique Georgian Christmas greetings.
| Georgian | Pronunciation | English |
| გილოცავ ქრისტეშობას! | gilotsav krist’eshobas! | Merry Christmas! |
| დასვენების სეზონია | dasvenebis sezonia | It’s the holiday season |
| ბედნიერი დღესასწაულები! | bednieri dghesasts’aulebi! | Happy holidays! |
| ძალიან მშვენიერი დღე გქონდეთ! | dzalian mshvenieri dghe gkondet! | May you have a very wonderful day! |
| თბილი სურვილები! | tbili survilebi! | Warm wishes! |
| ოცდახუთსა დეკემბერსა, ქრისტე იშვა ბეთლემსაო | otsdakhutsa dekembersa qriste ishva betlemsao | On the twenty-fifth of December Christ was born in Bethlehem |
The last phrase is a part of the lyrics of Alilo, a Christmas carol sung in the parade of the same name. Isn’t that easy to remember? Now, when visiting any city in Georgia, you’ll have to remember this word in a memorization technique called a Mnemonic device.
Of course, the best way to remember these words is through a song! The best news is Georgia also has a piece associated with Alilo.
Famous Christmas Song In Georgia
Want to sing the Christmas carol, Alilo? We’ve got the video plus lyrics here too. What are you waiting for? Enjoy singing along with the written Georgian alphabet and the pronunciation.
| Georgian | Pronunciation | English |
| ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და ოცდახუთსა ამ თვესაო ქრისტეიშვა ბეთლემსაო და ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და ანგელოზნი უგალობენ დიდება მაღალთა შინა და ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და ცაზე ვარსკვლავი გამოჩნდა შობის მახარობელიო და ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და ეს რომ მწყემსებმა გაიგეს მივიდნენ და თაყვანი სცეს მას ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და ვარსკვლავები ბრწყინვალებენ ანათებენ ბეთლემსაო და ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და შორი ქვეყნიდან მოსულმა მოგვებმა ძღვენი შესწირეს მას ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და ქრისტეს მახარობელნი ვართ, ქრისტეშობას მოგილოცავ და. ალილოი და ჰოი ალილოი და ოცდახუთსა ამ თვესაო ქრისტეიშვა ბეთლემსაო და | aliloi da hoi aliloi da otsdakhutsa am tvesao krist’eishva betlemsao da aliloi da hoi aliloi da angelozni ugaloben dideba maghalta shina da aliloi da hoi aliloi da tsaze varsk’vlavi gamochnda shobis makharobelio da aliloi da hoi aliloi da es rom mts’q’emsebma gaiges mividnen da taq’vani stses mas aliloi da hoi aliloi da varsk’vlavebi brts’q’invaleben anateben betlemsao da aliloi da hoi aliloi da shori kveq’nidan mosulma mogvebma dzghveni shests’ires mas aliloi da hoi aliloi da krist’es makharobelni vart, krist’eshobas mogilotsav da aliloi da hoi aliloi da otsdakhutsa am tvesao krist’eishva betlemsao da | Hallelujah, Hallelujah On 25th december Christ has been born in Bethlehem! Hallelujah, Hallelujah The angels are singing “Glory to God in the highest…” Hallelujah, Hallelujah A star appeared in the sky Announcing Christ Hallelujah, Hallelujah The shepherds heard the news And came to adore Him. Hallelujah, Hallelujah The stars are shining, Lighting up Bethlehem! Hallelujah, Hallelujah The Magi come from afar Gave Him gifts. Hallelujah, Hallelujah We are heralds of Christ,Merry Christmas! Hallelujah, Hallelujah On 25th of December Christ has been born in Bethlehem! |
Other Words You’ll Say Celebrating Georgian Christmas
In any language, there is a category where you’ll have at least to know one word, phrase, or sentence. Mainly, Christmas is full of gatherings that will kick off cheerful talks, sentimental feelings, or reminiscing about the good ‘ol days. You’ll have to equip yourself with more Georgian phrases!
After you light up that Christmas tree or say your good wishes and a Merry Christmas, here are some other Georgian phrases and words to say for holiday greetings. Don’t forget to practice speaking these words with your Georgian friend!
| Georgian | Pronunciation | English |
| შეგიძლიათ თურქეთის გაჭრა? | shegidzliat turketis gach’ra? | Can you please cut the turkey? |
| როდის ვხსნით ჩვენს საჩუქრებს? | rodis vkhsnit chvens sachukrebs? | When do we open our presents? |
| თქვენ უნდა დაელოდოთ უფროსებს და მოხუცებს | tkven unda daelodot uprosebs da mokhutsebs | You should wait for the adults and elderly |
| შენთვის საჩუქარი მაქვს | shentvis sachukari makvs | I have a present for you |
| ავანთოთ ნაძვის ხე | avantot nadzvis khe | Let’s light up the Christmas tree |
| დროა ჭამო! | droa ch’amo! | It’s time to eat food! |
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Master Georgian With Ling App
While Christmas is just around the corner, various traditional decorations will pop up at houses, stores, and even the streets. If you’re willing to witness a very traditional and festive year, you should visit Georgia and experience the Georgian Christmas season yourself. But, before celebrating that tradition, learning to say Merry Christmas and other holiday greetings will be a good investment in yourself.
Don’t spend your time alone and celebrate the Christmas party with your Georgian friends. There are many fun games to start learning a language too. And what’s not to love with an interactive app with 60 other languages that teach you sentence patterns, write foreign words, or even practice speaking with an AI Chatbot?
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