Christmas has traditionally been a celebration of family, love and comfort, but in the 21^st century it has taken on new meanings. While more and more people are returning to the old traditions, the holiday has now also become an integral part of the way many people express their love through money.

Although Christmas rarely appears directly on coins, there are some interesting examples that are linked to the spirit of the holiday.

3000 Hungarian forint coin of the Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma

The Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma is one of the most prominent Benedictine monastic communities in Hungary, with a deep religious and cultural connection to Christmas. The Archabbey is linked to the celebration of Christmas in several ways, such as liturgical traditions.

Closely linked to the Benedictine Order are the liturgical celebrations of the Catholic Church, and Christmas is a prominent event of the year. The Archabbey pays special attention to the Advent period, a time of expectation and spiritual preparation. During Advent Masses, the monks pray together, which is often attended by the faithful.

The highlight of the Christmas holidays is the midnight mass on Christmas Eve, when the community celebrates the birth of Jesus together. In the church of the Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma, the services are particularly beautiful and intimate, with the singing of the Benedictine community and the playing of the church organ providing a wonderful experience.

The abbey organises a number of Advent and Christmas programmes during the festive season, such as:

• Advent candle-lighting, when a candle is lit on the abbey's traditional Advent wreath every Sunday.

• Concerts are often organised during Advent and Christmas, the most common being organ and choir concerts, which add to the festive atmosphere.

• Guests of the abbey can also participate in plays that tell the biblical story of Christmas.

  The coin was designed by Balázs Bitó and it was issued in 2024 by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, made of non-ferrous metal, with a face value of 3,000 HUF.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

The world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Wiener Philharmoniker) is not only known for its New Year's concerts, but also for its many ties to the Christmas season. Their musical heritage and the festive spirit of classical music make their Christmas-related activities particularly noteworthy.

The Philharmonic Orchestra gives regular concerts during the Christmas period, which are made up of several parts, such as the Advent concerts, which always include classical and festive pieces by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Strauss.

The orchestra's Christmas concerts take place in Vienna's famous musical venues, including the Musikverein Goldener Saal, where the special acoustics provide an elegant setting for festive concerts, and St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, where the orchestra often performs sacred pieces.

The orchestra also holds charity concerts to support socially disadvantaged families and individuals as Christmas approaches.

The coin was issued in 2023 by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, it is made of gold and has a current value of 1,150,000 HUF.

The Bible of Vizsoly

The Bible of Vizsoly, translated into Hungarian by Gáspár Károli in 1590, is the first complete printed translation of the Bible in Hungary. Although it is not directly about Christmas, it can be associated with the holiday in several ways, as it contains the stories that form the basis of Christmas through the Gospel texts, such as the birth of Jesus, the Gospel of Matthew, with the visit of the wise men from the sunrise and the story of the Star of Bethlehem, the Gospel of Luke, the angelic message, and the visit of the shepherds.

The translation of the Bible into Hungarian made it possible for Hungarian believers to read and understand the story of Christmas in their own mother tongue, which contributed greatly to the celebration becoming more popular among families.

The New Testament conveys the message of love, peace and mercy, which are among the most important values of Christmas. For Hungarian-speaking Christians, it has made this message accessible and understandable. Since its inception, it has played a key role in the festive worship services of Hungarian-speaking Christian communities. At Christmas time, the gospels are often read and sung together from the Bible of Vizsoly.

The coin was designed by Andrea Horváth, issued in 2015 by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, made of gold, and is currently worth 145.000 HUF.

Saint Elisabeth of the House of Árpád

Saint Elizabeth of the House of Árpád (1207-1231), one of the best known and most revered saints of the Middle Ages, is deeply connected to the spirit of Christmas through her life and deeds. Elizabeth's life and deeds embody the selfless love, mercy and commitment to the poor that are at the heart of the religious and spiritual message of Christmas.

Saint Elizabeth helped the poor, distributed food and clothing, founded hospitals and cared for the sick. Her life is an example of living the charitable spirit of the Christmas season, as love and giving are an important part of the holiday. The teachings and actions of her life are exemplary not only for the Christmas season but for the whole Christian year. Through love, mercy and service to the poor, her life's work is closely linked to the essence of Christmas and is particularly suited to serve as an inspiration for living the holiday.

The coin was designed by Enikő Szöllőssy, issued by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank in 2007, made of silver, with a current value of 15,240 HUF.

The Christmas celebrations are one of the most important religious and cultural times of the year, with a variety of symbols, traditions and stories. The Christmas motifs on the coins give people the opportunity to commemorate a memorable moment or significant event, while paying tribute to the religious and social values of the holiday. Each coin conveys a unique message that highlights the true spirit of Christmas. The commemorative coins also function as a means of artistic and religious expression, reminding us that Christmas is more than a holiday - it is a spiritual and communal experience shared around the world.