From many years, a huge number of people from different countries have been waiting for this holiday, as one of the most dear and beloved. The Feast of the Nativity of Christ is a light and quiet joy, it is the date of the beginning of a new era for humanity. Even our calendar has been counting down the third millennium from this very moment.
Such an important event happened, as you know, quietly and inconspicuously: Mary and Joseph, having come to the census in Bethlehem, did not find a place in the hotel and stayed in a cattle cave (nativity scene), where at night the Infant Jesus was born.
After this, the first to come to the cave were not kings or priests, but simple shepherds, who, according to the testimony of the evangelists, were told about great joy by the angels. And a bright star lit up in the sky – it is still one of the main symbols of Christmas for all of us.
This star led three wise men (wise men) from the East to Bethlehem after a while. History has even preserved their names: Gaspar, Belshazzar and Melchior. With the help of calculations and ancient prophecies, they learned that the Savior of the world should be born, and brought Him their gifts: gold, as a symbol of royal power (28 plates with an ornament were preserved), fragrant with myrrh and incense (about 70 bead balls have survived to us ). Until now, these gifts are kept in the monastery on Mount Athos.
“ When they began to celebrate Christmas annually, now it is not known for certain. But already from the 4th century its date (which differs in the western and eastern church calendars) remains unchanged, and the festive word, composed then by Gregory the Theologian, still sounds annually on Christmas night in churches:” Christ is born – glorify! “
Now Christmas is an official, and at the same time a very home and favorite holiday in many countries of the world.
Christmas 2024 traditions
It is the holiday of Christmas that we owe many wonderful traditions. The most famous symbol of the holiday is, of course, the decorated Christmas tree! At first it was tree branches, woven into a wreath (probably many know about mistletoe branches in England) and decorated with apples and flowers. They say that already in the 8th century in Europe it was a Christmas tree that was decorated for Christmas, decorating it with delicacies (sweets, nuts, fruits), bells and candles.
“ Many decorations at first had a symbolic meaning. And now the star crowning the Christmas tree reminds us of the Star of Bethlehem, who showed the way to the Magi.
Special lightweight Christmas tree decorations appeared later. And in recent centuries, elegant spruce trees, which were the Christmas decoration of houses, “came out” on the squares of cities.
Another, which has become all-encompassing, Christmas tradition is to give gifts to all relatives and friends, originating from the gifts that the wise men brought. For those who are far from us on this day, wonderful Christmas cards have existed for one and a half hundred years, not only paper ones (often made by hand), but now also virtual ones.
Sometimes gifts in different countries “help” to give Christmas gnomes or Peer Noel, Santa Claus or Santa Claus, but I think it’s nice and easy to mutually exchange gifts and cards.
An interesting tradition of celebrating the Nativity of Christ has become the making of nativity scenes , both at home and near or inside churches. In past centuries, the nativity scene was a kind of puppet theater, with the help of which children showed scenes related to Christmas events. Now it is a motionless composition depicting a cave with the Holy Family, sheep, shepherds, sometimes magi, a star – in a word, participants in those events.
How Christmas is celebrated in different countries
The French Christmas Day 2024 were among the first to start making special glass Christmas balls (replacing apples). And now the fir tree certainly decorates every French house on Christmas and New Year’s days, and next to them there are … boots or boots, where gifts for children mysteriously end up. After attending the festive mass – a family dinner with an indispensable goose, and, of course, a traditional cake in the shape of a log.
In Finland Christmas Day 2024, before Christmas, in addition to the usual one, a tree outside is dressed up for birds. Crumbs and seeds are placed in a feeder or under a tree.
In Sweden Christmas Day 2024, the tree is decorated with flowers and – buns! The Swedes celebrate Christmas exclusively with their families, and on the eve, in some areas, you can see a procession of residents with lighted candles, heading to the temple for a festive service.
In Serbia Christmas Day 2024 (where Christmas, as well as in Russia, is celebrated on January 7), the celebration, along with preparations for it, continues for more than a month! There it is a holiday, first of all, for children and parents, dedicated to family and home. On the eve of Christmas, the father of the family, according to tradition, has to cut down an oak branch, “badnyak”, for the hearth.
In Germany Christmas Day 2024, many observe the pre-Christmas fast, Advent, from the beginning of which preparations for Christmas begin: a Christmas wreath is hung, and every week another candle is lit on it; gifts are purchased for all friends and relatives; Finally, a Christmas tree is bought and dressed up (the traditional colors of its decoration are red and green).
At the festive table, where the family gathers after the Christmas service, there are usually many different dishes, but always – turkey and “stollen” , a traditional cake-cake.
In England Christmas Day 2024 , since the beginning of December, there has been a Christmas tree on the main square of London, and for a whole month the British have been decorating houses, doors, windows, the space in front of the house … Children in England also write notes with requests for gifts and throw them … into a lit fireplace.
“The festive menu here, as it should be in England, is very traditional: turkey, pudding, cookies with baked inside notes, baked chestnuts and potatoes. And the obligatory” program “of celebration here includes congratulations from the queen herself!
Christmas holiday in Russia
For more than a thousand-year history of Christianity in Russia, of course, the Nativity of Christ has become one of the most important holidays with us, with its own customs.
The holiday is preceded by a forty-day Nativity Fast, which is more strict in the last days. On the eve of Christmas, on Christmas Eve, the fast is the strictest – they eat only wheat or rice with honey. And on the night of Christmas, a festive service is held in all churches, after which the holiday continues in families.
There are no specific traditional dishes, in contrast to the celebration of Easter, in Russia – everything that will please the family is put on the table. On Christmas days, every host tries to treat any guest deliciously.
Each country has its own popular Christmas songs. We also have a lot of such songs – more precisely, in Russia they sing, glorifying the Nativity of Christ, both Ukrainian and Belarusian Christmas songs.
“ Sometimes, as in past centuries, children singing around the house, carrying a bright star, and the owners present them with refreshments.
In the 19th century, Christmas began to be celebrated not only in churches and houses, but also more widely: Christmas balls and receptions began to take place, a custom appeared to decorate the Christmas tree with gifts, apples and put gifts under it – this fashion was “brought” from Europe by Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna.
The Soviet government, fighting against religion, tried not only to ban this holiday, but even to blot out the memory of it. The Christmas tree, which was forbidden at first, however, in the post-war years returned to the houses, already as an “officially permitted” New Year tree, and the star on it turned from gold to “Kremlin” – red five-pointed.
However, in many Russian homes throughout the past century, they congratulated each other on Christmas, gave gifts and even arranged holidays, primarily for children. And in the surviving churches, solemn festive services were invariably performed.
“ The Christmas holiday officially returned to Russia in 1990.
And now the custom of a wide celebration of Christmas has been preserved. This holiday is in many ways “children’s”, and in all Sunday schools there are interesting Christmas trees, concerts, matinees or performances. Festivities, games for children and adults are arranged.
Throughout Christmas time (until January 18), Christians go to each other with congratulations and festive glorification. And first of all, they visit those who are lonely and not easy: they come to the sick, home and hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes, even (if possible) give gifts to prisons. After all, the Nativity of Christ reminds us that light, love and goodness live in every soul.
We wish you and all your loved ones on these holidays happiness, love, peace and tranquility!
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