Do not count the church and secular holidays celebrated daily by representatives of various confessions and nationalities. However, one of the most iconic holidays of the Christian world fell on December 25th.
Christmas at Catholics
The most remarkable and, perhaps, famous holiday, which is celebrated on December 25, is the Nativity of Christ. Unlike Orthodox Christians, Catholics celebrate the birth of God's son precisely at the end of December, and this day is officially considered a non-working day and opens up a whole series of days off.
Interestingly, according to the Gregorian calendar, December 25 is also the day of the winter solstice, which is considered the birthday of the new year. The Romans, for example, organized night festivities and feasts on this day, celebrating the arrival of the new year.
The Catholics just timed the birthday of Christ to the day of the winter solstice, in fact, the day of Christ's birth remains unknown and is considered to be calculated scientifically.
Traditionally, Catholics devote the holiday to Mass, and end with a family dinner. Children's theatrical performances, scenes from the Bible related to the birth of God's son, and, of course, gifts to close friends and relatives are considered an integral part of the holiday among Europeans.
In stores and boutiques, two weeks before December 25, the time for sales begins; Christmas tree collapses are often arranged on the squares of European towns, where you can buy New Year's paraphernalia. In big cities, before Christmas, mobile amusement parks open with numerous carousels and attractions, which are visited by both children and adults.
Solstice in Russia
Not everyone knows that in Russia December 25 is also a holiday - since ancient times this day was celebrated as the day of Spiridon Solstice, a saint who for his deeds was awarded the special divine gift of healing the sick. All his life, the minister of the cult Spiridon devoted to the teachings of piety and service to believers.
The name "Solstice" did not arise by chance, because it is on December 25 that the sun, according to the explanations of the Slavs, turns into summer and leaves the winter season. On this day, any kind of work was considered a great sin, and therefore the inhabitants of the villages devoted December 25 to festivities, trips to relatives, as well as fortune-telling.
The villagers carefully watched the wind: it was believed that if the wind changes several times during the day, the settlement will have a rich harvest. But it was not accepted to marry or greet the groom on this day.
Chinese constitution
The eastern neighbor also has a holiday on December 25. In China, it is the official date of birth of the main law - the constitution. It was this document that fixed the democratic system of the republic and brought it closer to the majority of civilized modern countries. Beginning in 1946, the country with the largest population in the world began to be considered a democratic republic and took a course towards modern economic and social development.
