This great day represents the coming of the Savior to Earth.
In 2017, as in any other year, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. The Nativity fast has finally come to its logical conclusion. Now abstinence and humility are replaced by joy and fun, because
History and meaning of the holiday:
This is one of the oldest holidays in Christianity. The beginning of Christmas celebrations dates back to around the 4th century, but the holiday that it has now acquired its present form only during the Middle Ages - around the 12th century.
This holiday is not only dedicated to the salvation of humanity, but also to courage, willpower Mother of God. It is very difficult to even remotely imagine how a mother can feel when she knows for sure that her child is destined to die for the sins of people. Even as a little girl, Mary knew that her purpose on this earth was other than just getting married and having children.
An angel who appeared to her one day said that she would give birth to a son from the Holy Spirit, who would breathe strength into her womb. This child will save the world from original evil and sin. Mary's task was to give birth to a son and care for him. That is why it is generally accepted that the salvation of humanity began with the Virgin Mary herself, and not with the Savior, for the Mother of God had to endure many adversities and difficulties. Her life was full of suffering, which led her to happiness. She became closer to Heaven during her lifetime.
Immediately after the birth of Jesus Christ, they tried to kill him. Herod, king of the Jews, ordered the death of all children under 2 years of age to ensure that the Messiah was dead. While Mary's husband went to Bethlehem to take part in the census, labor began. Joseph returned and, seeing that Mary needed help, went to get the midwife. On the way back, they witnessed a miracle: the cave in which the Son of God was born was illuminated with a bright unearthly light. Entering the shelter, they saw a child in the arms of the Intercessor.
Just as the Magi presented their gifts to the infant Christ, so we present our gifts to little children, placing them under the Christmas tree. The star on the top of the spruce tree symbolizes the very star that the Magi saw on the eve of the birth of the Savior.
This is the brightest holiday for all of us, because it gives us hope for a bright future. He teaches us to believe in miracles and in the power of the word of God, for everything happened as the Lord himself said. On January 7, we recharge ourselves with goodness for the whole next year. An ancient Russian proverb says: the kinder you are at Christmas, the kinder the world and God will be to you.
Merry Christmas, love each other and take care of each other!
The popularity of the holiday can be judged by doing a small survey among the population of a huge city or a small village abandoned by all the gods. When asked about their favorite Christian holiday, the clear majority will answer that it is Christmas.
Because there is some kind of magic in this holiday. That's why we're waiting
weekend for Christmas 2017 in Russia to celebrate it well.
We celebrate Jesus' birthday twice. But we still hope that the church will somehow agree and make one date for Christians of the Western and Eastern rites. In addition to the fact that one event is celebrated on different days, there is also a distinctive feature between the two concessions. For Christians of the Eastern rite, Easter comes first in importance. Since it was on this day that Christ, having shouldered our sins, allowed us to live after physical death.
Catholics place Christmas in importance above Easter and New Year. If the majority of our citizens give gifts to each other on New Year, then Catholics look for gifts at big sales half a month in advance to put them under the tree for Christmas.
How to express in words the beauty of this holiday? Beautiful untouched purity of snow with frost and freshness of fir trees. And also faith in the triumph of goodness and light. And, of course, the opportunity to tell fortunes and make a wish on the eve of this bright holiday.
History of the celebration
Not found anywhere, in any religious postulate the exact date birth of Jesus. Previously, there were no church books where all the dates of birth of Christians were recorded. Christ was not a slave either. It was the slaves who lived in captivity in Egypt who knew their hour of birth. Records of this are still found on clay tablets and papyrus. Each slave owner kept accurate records. But in the kingdom of Israel there was no such custom. But all the most important church books describe where and how little Jesus was born.When the Byzantine Emperor Constantine was faced with the question of the date of setting the Christmas holiday, he once again combined the pagan and Christian celebrations. In December, the pagans, worshiping a host of gods, drove out evil spirits with fire. The arrival of winter was not a very joyful event for them, especially among the tribes of the Polyans and Drevlyans.
Therefore, they lit fires and made donations to the gods of light and spring to protect them from frost and cold. So the church decided to combine the celebration of warmth and light during the darkest night with the Nativity of Christ, who also gave us hope for light and rebirth. This is the story of the Nativity of Christ. The year 2017 indicates how many years have passed since his birth. For more than two thousand years, Christians have been joyfully awaiting this holiday, welcoming the appearance of the future Savior in this world.
Traditions of celebrating the Nativity of Christ
Before Christmas, as before any great celebration, there is Christmas Eve. Housewives spend the whole day preparing for it, as well as for the actual celebration of the birth of Jesus. Just like before the name day itself loved one The apartment is being thoroughly cleaned, and all sorts of goodies are sizzling and gurgling on the stove. Prepare for Christmas Eve:- lusciously. This is boiled cereal (rice, wheat) with poppy seeds, raisins and honey;
- not fast food (dishes made from mushrooms, cabbage, potatoes, beets, dough);
- dried fruits compote.
The traditions of celebrating the Nativity of Christ will, of course, be observed by the Orthodox. They were not invented by us and it is not for us to break them. All this was determined by our ancestors, so no innovations are completely unacceptable.
Relaxation in frosty winter
It is advisable to celebrate with the whole family. Infrequently, but the opportunity arises to celebrate the holiday in another company and in a new place or a long-loved old one. Or you just don’t want the cold, but your soul longs for warmer climes. Then you can take a ticket in advance and go to celebrate the occasion in another country with other people. It could be the Maldives or Goa, Egypt.Celebrating Christmas under palm trees on a sunny beach is a great celebration idea. There is not only the azure of the ocean or the blue of the sea, but also a wide variety of club parties and fireworks. Everything is quite noisy and fun.
If you like to sled or ski on a well-trodden track, then there are places closer - Sochi with its well-developed infrastructure or the Alps. The good thing about holidays for Christmas in 2017 is that the holidays stretched out very comfortably. We are on holiday from 31/12 to 08/01 inclusive.
If there is an opportunity to have fun on Catholic Christmas, then it would be a good idea to go to Finland, Santa's homeland. Four reindeer in a harness are already impatiently waiting for you there to rush with the breeze across the crisp crust. If you have not been to Italy, then it's time to go there. Excursions to historical sites will not leave you any moments for boredom, and watching the pontiff’s greeting live is a rare opportunity to get closer to the real perception of the holiday.
Tour operators will provide you with a variety of trips to choose from. Your taste and wallet size will certainly be taken into account. Most PopularChristmas tours in 2017 to European countries. Many tourists like Prague - the birthplace of beer. There are many beer festivals and fairs there at this time. Not far from Prague there is a very beautiful majestic Konopiste castle.
Not far from The Czech Republic is located in Germany and Austria. That all you have to do is attend a ball in its capital, Vienna. An absolutely unforgettable cruise on the waters of the Mediterranean Sea can be a completely exotic trip.
Forecasters promise Christmas in 2017 will be snowy and frosty. And we will add warmth to it. Songs and carols, fortune-telling prohibited by the church. But maybe they won’t find out there?
Catholics celebrate Christmas a little earlier than Orthodox believers. The great event is celebrated annually at the end of December.
For catholic church Christmas is the main religious holiday. Every year on December 25, Catholics remember the amazing history of this event, decorate their homes and give Christmas gifts to their loved ones. Despite the fact that each church celebrates this day in accordance with its faith, some traditions are still similar.
Catholic Christmas in 2017
Every year, Catholic Christmas falls on December 25, and Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7. Why is the same holiday celebrated on different days? Since 1582, many countries in the world began to calculate time following the Gregorian calendar, which is why most religious events among Catholics and Orthodox believers do not coincide. Orthodox Church calculates events according to the Julian calendar, where Christmas falls on January 7th.
The difference in the dates of Christmas celebrations did not affect the significance of the holiday. On this day, believers celebrate the birth of the Great Child, who became the Savior of all mankind. His appearance into the world was a real miracle. The Lord chose the Virgin Mary as the Mother of Jesus Christ, and sent an Angel to notify her of this news. Her husband Joseph did not believe this at first and threatened to annul the marriage. However, the Messenger of God explained to him that this child was a blessing from the King of Heaven, and Joseph needed to raise and love him as his own son. Even before the birth, the couple went to Bethlehem with the hope of staying in a hotel, but they did not succeed. Mary and Joseph were forced to stay in a stable. The shepherds were the first to see the Son of God. The star that shone in Bethlehem also brought three wise men there, who brought gold, incense and myrrh as gifts to the child. Herod, having learned about the appearance of the Divine Child, decided to kill all children under two years of age, but Jesus Christ was able to avoid death. An angel appeared to Joseph and warned him about the evil intentions of the king, and they, together with the child and Mary, went to Egypt, where they lived until the death of Herod.
How do Catholics celebrate Christmas?
Christmas is one of the twelve holidays and is one of the non-transitionable holidays. For both Catholics and Orthodox believers, the date of Christmas remains unchanged. Despite the common history of the holiday, the traditions of this day are still different.
The Nativity Fast is a kind of preparation for the Nativity of Christ. People cleanse their body and soul and prepare to meet the Great Child with dignity. For Catholics, this period is called Advent, and it lasts four weeks.
Decorating your home with wreaths of fir branches and candles is another Catholic Christmas tradition. Round form the wreath symbolizes eternal life, green color- the embodiment of life, fire - the light that illuminates the whole world on Christmas Day.
Figurines of the Virgin Mary and the Child Christ are installed in homes and churches. It can also be Christmas tree decorations, installations or just paintings.
On Christmas Day, Catholic believers attend Mass, the Christmas church service. During this ceremony, the priest places a figure in the form of the Child of God in the manger and sanctifies it. At this moment, people can feel like participants in this Great Event.
Christmas treats are different in every country. In England and America it is customary to serve turkey, in Spain - pork, and in Latvia - fish. There must be a lot of dishes so that guests leave full and satisfied.
For Orthodox believers, Christmas will not come until January 7th. However, even before it arrives, you can find out what awaits you in 2018. Christmas fortune-telling is much stronger and more truthful than ordinary ones, because it is on this day that we can achieve unity with the Higher powers.
Christmas is the greatest holiday celebrated by Christians all over the world, regardless of what denomination. christian church they belong. IN different countries There are rituals and traditions for Christmas. Catholic Christmas in 2017 will be celebrated on December 25, while Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Christ on January 7.
Among Catholic Christians who celebrate Christmas, there are several hypotheses regarding the date of the most significant and emotional holiday of the year. Disputes about the exact day when God's Son was born continue to this day. There is no denying the fact that it is one of the oldest Christian holidays.
Back in 4 tbsp. BC e. it entered the religious calendar and began to be celebrated in families that worship the Lord God, His Only Begotten Son and the Holy Spirit. According to the Gregorian calendar, the date of the holiday falls on December 25, 9 months from the day. Perhaps this date was set for convenience, or perhaps there is a special meaning to it.
On December 25, Christmas is celebrated by Catholics, Baptists, followers of the Anglican and Lutheran faiths, as well as Orthodox Christians who live in the West.
Some features of Christmas celebration
Regardless of what denomination of Christianity you belong to, on the day of the Nativity of Christ you need to follow the basic rules and traditions, which are identical for Catholics and Orthodox Christians:
- Strict fasting on the eve of Christmas;
- Confession and Communion;
- Attendance at worship services;
- Festive table with obligatory traditional dishes;
- Exchange good wishes and gifts.
Advent: the month of preparation for Christmas for Catholics
Pre-Christmas traditions are filled with a special ritual meaning. During the Advent period - the time of anticipation of the Nativity of Christ - Catholic Christian believers must spiritually cleanse themselves before the holiday: repent of sins, confess and receive communion. This month should be spent reflecting on the life and good deeds of the Savior.
Representatives of the clergy dress in purple robes. Also, on each of the Sundays preceding the Nativity of Christ, special thematic services are held:
- First Sunday - we remember how Jesus Christ appeared to the people, as well as the appearance of the Mother of God to people;
- Second Sunday - describes the transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament Scripture;
- Third Sunday - the service is dedicated to mentioning the life and deeds of John the Baptist;
- Fourth Sunday of Advent - Catholic Christian believers listen to the coming of Jesus Christ into our world.
Moreover, each of the four weeks of the month of Advent is dedicated to a specific biblical event and the commemoration of a specific biblical character. Church rules imply a peaceful and calm time. It is not customary to hold entertainment events during this period.
On the pre-holiday day, December 24, Catholics eat nothing but sochiv - boiled barley or wheat grains flavored with honey. Strict fasting ends at the very moment when the first star appears on the winter sky. Throughout, true Catholic believers are supposed to remember the events told in the Gospel that relate to the birth of the Savior.
The temples celebrate the night service - vigil.
Celebration traditions
Since the Middle Ages, true believing Catholics began to install themed nurseries in temples and churches for the holiday of the Nativity of Christ. So the impromptu birth scene God's Son reminded me of that happy day when baby Jesus was born.
Over time, the custom passed into the houses of parishioners - in each home a special grotto is placed on the windowsill, which is called “saton”, and small figures of the Virgin Mary, her husband Joseph, a heavenly angel who descended from heaven to greet the future Savior, animals and shepherds who came to bow. Of course, a tiny figurine of a baby, called by the Lord God to save our souls, is placed on a bed of hay or in a manger.
Also, a fluffy green beautiful Christmas tree is installed in houses. The whole family usually decorates the Christmas tree before Christmas itself, on Christmas Eve. Themed decorations are placed on the facades of houses and in courtyards.
The front door must be decorated with a Christmas wreath made of fir branches and decorated to the taste of the home owners. Some people hang a sprig of mistletoe in the house and, if a man and a woman are under it at the same time, they must kiss.
To please the children, personalized Christmas socks are hung over the fireplace, intended for gifts from Santa Claus, who sneaks into the house on Christmas night, feasts on the cookies prepared for him, washes it down with milk and gives gifts to obedient children and their parents.
This good tradition supports children's belief in magic. On Christmas morning, in addition to small gifts in stockings over the fireplace, children find beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree. The whole house is filled with cheerful laughter and the rustle of wrapping paper.
After Christmas Eve, the eight-day Octave begins - a period characteristic of Catholic Christianity, dedicated to folk festivities, carols, and general fun. Since pagan times, such a tradition has come as “kindling the log” - a Christmas log greased with oils and honey, sprinkled with wheat, is ceremonially burned. This custom is designed to bring wealth and good luck into the home.
Despite some differences between Catholic and Orthodox Christmas, the essence of this great holiday remains the same. It is not for nothing that most clergy agree that the Lord God is one for everyone.
Christmas is one of the main holidays in Christianity. On this day, believers celebrate the birth of the son of God Jesus Christ from the Virgin Mary (Mother of God). In Orthodoxy, Christmas is the second most important holiday after Easter. The Nativity of Christ in Orthodoxy refers to the twelve (twelve most important) lordly (in honor of Jesus Christ) immutable (always celebrated on the same day) holidays. Christmas is preceded by a strict forty-day Nativity fast.
History of the Nativity of Christ
The history of the events of the Nativity of Christ is reflected in the Gospels according to Bows And Matthew. All Christian denominations interpret Christmas events in the same way.
It was a matter of ancient Rome under the emperor August. Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph had to take part in a population census mandatory for all residents of the Roman Empire. Joseph and Mary were descendants of the king David, who was a native of Bethlehem, therefore, according to the rules approved by Augustus, the holy family was ordered to go to this city to participate in the census.
The city turned out to be overcrowded with guests and pilgrims, and Maria, who was already giving birth, did not find a place in the hotel. And then the child began to ask to come out, and the young mother had to give birth in a cave, adapted as a barn, in which cattle were sheltered from bad weather. The birth, as we know, was successful, even despite the absence of a midwife.
The first to come to worship the newborn Jesus were the shepherds, notified of the joyful event by an angel. And after the shepherds came the wise men, who found the treasured cave by a bright star that lit up in the sky and showed them the way. The Magi brought gifts to Jesus - gold, frankincense and myrrh, symbolizing the royal status of the divine child.
On the eighth day after his birth, according to Jewish tradition, Jesus was circumcised, and on the fortieth day a sacrifice was made in his honor in the Jerusalem Temple.
Having learned about the birth of Jesus, and having learned that the baby would become the Messiah (Savior), the king of Judea Herod decided to destroy it. To be on the safe side, Herod ordered the killing of all infants under the age of two. However, the Virgin Mary and Joseph managed to save the child: an angel of God warned them of the impending massacre, and they fled to Egypt, where they remained until the death of Herod.
Christmas in Russia
In Rus', Christmas has been celebrated since the end of the 10th century; the holiday came along with Christianity, which was introduced by Prince Vladimir. The celebration of Christmas initially took place according to Byzantine traditions.
The Europeanization of Christmas occurred at the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries, when the first nativity theaters were brought from Poland to Russia, in which puppet shows about the birth of Jesus were performed. And then the Germans, of whom there were a great many in Russia since Peter the Great, spread their tradition of decorating the Christmas tree for Christmas. And at the beginning of the 20th century, Russia also had its own Santa Claus - Christmas Father Frost.
After the revolution, Christmas underwent the most severe, as they would say now, upgrade, but, unlike other church holidays, it still survived, albeit in an atheistic version.
After 13 years of bans, the tradition of New Year trees and Santa Clauses was revived in the USSR. They found a granddaughter for Santa Claus - the completely pagan Snow Maiden, and in general the holiday became defiantly anti-religious: the Christmas star on the tree was replaced by a five-pointed star, and even with portraits Lenin-Stalin In the meantime, Christmas tree decorations have also become ideologically consistent. Later, the top of the tree began to be decorated with a more neutral silver peak.
After the collapse of the USSR, Orthodox Christmas returned to Russia, becoming a day off and peacefully coexisting with the secular-Soviet New Year.
Christmas fortune telling and carols
In addition to church customs for celebrating Christmas, there are folk traditions having pre-Christian roots. In particular, lovers of antiquity still love to carol at Christmas: mummers in costumes and masks enter houses on Christmas night and sing praises to Christ or good wishes and carols to the owners, receiving treats and money as a reward.
Here are examples of Christmas carols:
***
Kolyada, Kolyada,
It's Christmas Eve!
Good auntie,
The pie is delicious
Don't cut, don't break,
Serve it quickly.
***
Today an angel has descended upon us
And he sang: “Christ is born!”
We came to glorify Christ,
And congratulate you on the holiday.
***
Won't you give me cheesecakes?
You'll get it on top of your head!
Won't you give me the pie?
I'll lead the cow by the horns.
***
Kolyada, Kolyada
Open the gates
Get out the chests
Serve the snouts.
Even a ruble
Even a nickel
Let's not leave home like that!
Give us some candy
Or maybe a coin.
Don't regret anything
Christmas is coming!
From Christmas to Epiphany (January 19), Christmastide comes, when young girls like to tell fortunes about their betrothed. It is believed that during Holy Week, while Christ has not yet been baptized, evil spirits walk the earth and try not to do much harm. Therefore, at this time you can turn to her for advice and help in matters of the heart and other matters. This is something that the church does not encourage, but it is not too condemned either.
Christmas signs
- If there is frost on the branches in the first three days of Christmastide, this means a good harvest of bread.
- If there is a thaw at Christmas, spring will be late and unfriendly.
- On Christmas day the day is warm - the bread will be born dark.
- On Christmas night there will be a lot of stars in the sky; in the summer there will also be a lot of berries in the forest.
