In Ukraine, Christmas Day, which always falls on December 25, it became an official holiday. At the same time we do not know too much about the traditions, customs and symbols of this holiday.
Editorial Kolobok.ua I decided to fill this gap and to find out how to celebrate Christmas Day on all the rules.
What is Christmas Eve? Five days before Christmas (from 20 to 24 December) called Christmas Eve. These days taken to comply with strict fasting and fed exclusively sochivo - cooked with honey wheat or barley grain.
He ends the post with the first evening star in the sky. At this time, in all the Catholic and Protestant churches of the world begin the solemn Christmas liturgy, the presence of which is necessary for Catholics.
Christmas traditions. After a festive Mass, decided to organize a gala dinner. Houses around a large table are collected only relatives and friends. Traditionally, the head of the family dinner opens - father, grandfather or elder brother.
Before the start of the meal you want to read a passage from the Gospel of St. Luke about the birth of Christ. Then you need to refract wafers (Christmas bread). All share them with each other and treat each other as a sign of love and mutual arrangement, say Christmas greetings and warm wishes.
There is another common Christmas customs - to leave the table space in case the house comes a random stranger or an intruder. This evening it will be in the house as his own. Unallocated space can leave for deceased loved ones, which is so lacking at this table, but who are still alive in the hearts of those present. For them, put an empty vessel which put a bit of Christmas dishes and a piece of wafer.
Also remained obscure custom table with a white cloth, and beneath it lay a little hay. It should remind the audience about the cave in Bethlehem and the manger in which the Virgin Mary put the newborn Christ.
Customs of different countries. In addition to the Catholic Christmas on this day celebrating Lutheran, Anglican Church and of the Protestant denominations. In different parts of the world has its own customs and traditions related to this holiday.
For example, in Spain is called Nochebuena Christmas, which means "good night." Celebrate his adopted family. It is believed that the happiness of the family will bring a lonely old man or a poor man, who will be invited to the table to share a meal.
In Germany, the beginning of the Christmas service life stops. Around ten o'clock the bells start ringing, announcing the beginning of the Christmas mass. And all the people, even those who are in the rest of the year does not think of God, sent to serve in the church. These days are taken to treat each other pastries. Depending on the region, this may be the Nuremberg gingerbread, Aachen shaped gingerbread, fruitcake Dresden, cinnamon stars and so on. D.
In Poland, the first family Christmas star sit down. They are divided into wafers, congratulate each other, singing carols and remember the passing year. Dishes on the table only meatless: soup, fried or jellied carp, dumplings, pies, uzvar, in some regions - kutya.
In Canada, the celebration of Christmas begins the evening of December 24 - he called Cristmas Eve (Christmas Eve). Celebrate it as a family for a meal. In some provinces, such as Newfoundland and Labrador have a tradition in this day to sell freshly caught fish in the church. Proceeds go exclusively to the needs of the parish.
Brazil also celebrate Christmas, but not in the family, as do the Europeans, and in the streets. There are mass celebrations with dances and songs.
