What is Christmas
Christmas is a bright holiday. Orthodox Christians greet each other on this day with the words: “Christ was born, let us glorify him!”
Christians consider Jesus Christ to be God from the moment of his incarnation. Therefore, his baptism was called Epiphany. Until the 14th century, Christmas and Epiphany were celebrated on the same day, January 6 (Julian calendar).
For Orthodox Christians, the holiday of Christmas is considered the second largest event after Easter.
Among the Old Believers, the name of the holiday was written as “Rozhestvo”, without the letter “d”, as in the Church Slavic tradition.
The Savior of the world was born in a cave at night. The Virgin Mary swaddled him and placed him in a cattle feeder. The prophecy about the coming of the Savior was fulfilled. The shepherds learned wonderful news from the Angel.
The Orthodox holiday of Christmas became a non-working day only in 1991.
In 2020, Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and is the most favorite family holiday.
How to celebrate Christmas and Christmas Eve?
On Christmas Eve, January 6, the whole family traditionally gathers around the festive table, consisting of 12 Lenten dishes. The meal begins after the first star appears in the sky, which notified the Magi about the birth of Jesus. In some regions, not only relatives, but also godchildren of the owners come to visit on Christmas Eve. They need to prepare treats and gifts.
, kutia, uzvar (dried fruit compote), cabbage rolls with potatoes, fish, sauerkraut and baked apples are placed on the table . After dinner, you should leave some kutia in the plate so that the spirits of deceased relatives can taste the Christmas dinner.
On the morning of January 7, all family members go to church for prayer, and only then celebrate Christmas at a rich (meat) table. Jellied meat, baked sausage, and alcoholic drinks are already present here.
Getting ready for the holiday with the children
In order for children to understand why this holiday is celebrated and why, it is important to tell the history of this event, what is customary to do before the holiday, and how to prepare for it. The sooner they find out, the easier it will be for them in the future. They will be able to take part in the holiday with interest and pleasure.
Interesting ways to celebrate Christmas
It's good if the family has certain traditions that are associated with Christmas. Some consider it obligatory for themselves to attend church this evening, others limit themselves to a festive family dinner. In any case, this holiday is characterized by a particularly quiet solemnity, so you should not organize stormy holiday festivities on Christmas.
No, this does not mean at all that you should not have fun, it’s just that the following days will be for fun, and the evening of Christmas Eve itself should be spent peacefully, not forgetting about its holy essence and the fact that the Nativity Fast is not over yet.
How to celebrate Christmas if you have a child? Try to unobtrusively explain to your child the essence of this holiday. This can be done when you decorate the house together.
Buy new candles and hang a star on the tree that you can make yourself from a sheet of foil. Explain to your child its meaning, and at the same time explain why it is customary to give gifts at Christmas. You can watch one of the cartoons dedicated to Christmas together or read one of the fairy tales to him. For example, Hans Christian Andersen has a wonderful and sad fairy tale called “The Little Match Girl.” Or you can choose any other fairy tale.
Fun for everyone
You can invite your child to draw and draw a picture dedicated to the story of the Birth of the Savior. Show him
Interior decoration
Christmas tree
As an integral part of the holiday, every home should have a decorated Christmas tree. You can decorate with anything: toys, bows, boots, garland, candles, stars, etc. The main thing is to have a festive mood and desire.
A child’s desire will last a long time – that’s for sure. The holiday is long-awaited for them and one of their favorites.
Christmas wreath
As a symbol of warmth and prosperity, a decorated wreath of pine needles will perfectly complement the festive mood. Kids can hang it on the door, wall or fireplace.
Window decorations
Christmas stickers look great on frosty windows. Garland, lanterns, Christmas tree decorations - everything your imagination can do!
Window sill decorations
Silvery snow, warm lights in small houses, lit candles - fabulous comfort and an atmosphere of magic.
Decor elements
Christmas themed pillows, blankets, wrapped gifts, snowmen, angels. Any family member can arrange all the shelves at his own discretion and in the end the result will pleasantly please everyone, without exception.
Backlight
And a holiday is not a holiday without colorful lights! The more, the brighter. Lighted candles are a must. Which means there will be a holiday!
Christmas family holiday congratulations. Merry Christmas wishes for family
Merry Christmas, my dear family! May this holiday, the miracle of this day make us all friendlier and kinder, may hope and faith, sincerity and warmth awaken in each of us. I wish everyone peace and happiness, health and love. May our family know no troubles, no quarrels, no envy, may comfort, mutual understanding and prosperity always reign in our home. Merry Christmas!
I want to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart on the magical holiday of hope, May the Lord protect this beautiful family from troubles. May there be happiness in your home, Let ringing laughter always sound, I wish you good health and understanding for everyone. May your family prosper, May prosperity and comfort reign, And may the Angels always sing a song of joy over you.
May goodness, humility and happiness come into your home on Christmas, And an angel with a trembling wing will protect you from bad weather. Keep warmth in your heart, Value your family like gold, May the saints protect you, Always live in harmony!
My beloved and dear people, my beautiful family, I congratulate you on Christmas and want to wish you an unquenchable light of joy in your hearts and eternal sincere love. May our home be spared any troubles, may God protect our family from envy and evil, may everyone be healthy and happy!
I hasten to congratulate your family on a wonderful, bright celebration, on a magical holiday of hope, on a great, glorious Christmas. I wish you all health, kindness, patience, understanding, May the Lord help you in all your affairs and endeavors.
I wish only the best for your family on Christmas Day! May you all be happy, healthy, take care of your hearth! Let everything you want happen, may the Lord protect you! Just keep peace in your family, do not know sadness and worries!
My beloved family, I wish you a Merry Christmas. My near and dear people, I sincerely wish you all the best and kindness. Forget grievances, forgive each other, hug and smile more, enjoy the sun, don’t be sad when it rains, embrace life and thank God for every breath. Thank you for having me. Family is happiness. I wish everyone health, energy, strength, hope, mutual understanding and love!
I hasten to congratulate your glorious family on Christmas. May the Lord help you and give you his grace. Let peace, harmony, peace live in the hearts and souls, And let despondency and boredom drive away ringing laughter. Happiness and understanding to you, May your wishes come true. I sincerely wish you joy and prosperity on this holiday.
Merry Christmas, dear ones, congratulations, I wish the best for our entire family. The light of the Christmas star will flash outside the window, Illuminate our home with joy and happiness. On Christmas Day I wish you love, my family, and peace for your family.
Merry Christmas, dear ones, Boundless happiness to you, dear ones! May the Lord always help us and illuminate our path every day! I wish you to know neither loss nor grief, May there be hope and support, May there be eternal love, “Thank you” to the Lord we will say again!
Christmas table
Christmas is a family holiday that always brings the whole family together around the big table.
It is better to set the table in a combination of gold, red, green colors. A Christmas wreath, with balls and candles, will perfectly complement the festive table. The stars perfectly emphasize the Christmas theme, so don’t forget about them. Everything around should remind you of why the family gathers at the table.
A paper message located under the plate can become unusual and memorable. It contains sincere Merry Christmas greetings and good wishes for the New Year for everyone.
Christmas fortune telling
If you still decide to perform fortune-telling rituals on Christmas, perform the simplest and most harmless one. Pour water into a bowl, then light an unconsecrated candle and gradually drip wax into the water. What the resulting pattern looks like is what your future will be.
On Christmas night, young girls put a comb under their pillow with the words: “Mummer, comb my head.” Whoever the girl sees in her dream will be her groom. Also, fortune telling with a shoe was common among our ancestors. The girl took off her shoes from her left foot and threw them over the gate. In which direction the toe of the shoe is pointed, in that direction the girl will get married. And if the sock is turned back towards the house, she will remain a girl for another year.
Treats
What's a holiday without food? Mandatory dishes of the Christmas table are: sochivo, broth, vinaigrette, Lenten pancakes. And various other treats: fatty fish, meat dishes - stuffed goose, pork, jellied meat, pies, canapés with fish and meat.
The main thing is not to limit yourself in the abundance of dishes, that’s why it’s a holiday!
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is celebrated on the eve of Christmas. In 2020 it will come on January 6th.
Christmastide
Christmas Eve begins the holidays - holidays from Christmas to Epiphany.
Caroling
The main tradition of Christmastide is Caroling - boys and girls go around singing and dancing, involving all the residents of the surrounding area in the celebration process, collecting treats.
Fun for Christmas
With Christmas in Russia, Christmastide begins - holidays that last until Epiphany. Traditionally, on these days, mummers walked the streets, children sang carols and played in the streets.
How to celebrate Christmas: traditions and signs. Photo: Anton Balashov, RIA PrimaMedia
Carols are perceived by some people as a relic of paganism, because these songs are associated with Carol Day, when our ancestors glorified the Sun. Today, carols glorify Christ, their texts contain words of gratitude to the Savior, and they ask for blessings for the next year. In response to the song, the person needs to be treated.
Christian youth still sing carols - they bring the sweets and gifts they receive to the parishioners of the temple.
In addition, dress-up performances are very common. In ancient times, mummers used skins, animal masks and horns, acted out skits and danced in the streets. At the end of the 17th century, nativity theater came from Poland to Russia: in a special den-box, scenes about the birth of Jesus Christ and other scenes were acted out with the help of dolls.
During Christmas time, it was customary to visit each other, prepare gifts for each other, organize mass celebrations, youth games and tell fortunes. However, fortune telling has pagan roots. The Church denies such entertainment.
