Following the New Year, the Orthodox people celebrate the Nativity of Christ. We all know firsthand about this holiday. We know, we know, but the traditions and rituals that were observed by our ancestors began to be forgotten little by little. It is about them that I want to talk.
As a rule, folk and church customs are closely intertwined with each other. But the most famous tradition, namely caroling, is not one of those. The church condemned people for walking and, roughly speaking, begging, therefore, over time, people carolled only to relatives.
There is also such a tradition: with the advent of Christmastide, people lit a ceremonial fire in their homes, which was otherwise called the "Christmas log". He was solemnly brought into the house, observing all the necessary rules, namely: at the same time they read a prayer, lit and carved a cross on it. They also doused it with honey and put all kinds of food on it. In other words, it was something like a pagan idol, which was treated as if it were alive and revered.
Traditions also include: Christmas wreath, candles and a star. All this symbolizes the light of the stars that shone at the hour when Christ was born.
And in the old days there was such a custom: people played a scene about the birth of Christ. They believed that with the help of this, this holiday becomes closer and more understandable.
Do you know where the tradition of giving gifts for Christmas came from? Everything went from the Gospel story, in which 3 wise men came to Christ and brought him gifts in honor of his birth.
And, of course, the Christmas tree. Where can we go without it? We honor this tradition, although it has changed a little with us. The spruce has become a New Year's. And she symbolizes paradise and eternal life. And in ancient times, it signified a symbol of eternal life and fertility.
These are just some of the traditions related to Christmas. Let's honor at least the most basic ones. In order not to forget who we are, we need to remember our roots.
