The Orthodox holiday of the Nativity of Christ will take place on the night of January 6-7. Catholic and Protestant Christmas falls on December 25th. On this day, the Christian people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Not everyone knows how the celebration of an important event takes place.
Instructions
Step 1
Christians are waiting for the holiday of Christmas all year and carefully prepare for it. Before the holiday, they clean the house, sweep the trash, carry out wet cleaning, get rid of unnecessary things. A festive meal is being prepared, the rooms of the house and the tree are being decorated. Until the first star appears in the sky at Christmas, the vegetarian Christmas fast continues.
Step 2
The day before the holiday is called Christmas Eve. During it, Christians eat with restraint. And only in the evening, baked or steamed fish is allowed with vegetable dishes and cereals. The main dishes on the table on Christmas Eve are sochivo and kutia - cereals made from grain steamed in water.
Step 3
On Christmas itself, the table is richly set with various Christmas dishes: baked goose or duck in apples, pies, butter cream cakes, soaked fruits, fresh herbs and vegetable salads.
Step 4
To preserve health for the whole next year, the celebrants put bundles of straw under the tablecloth on the Christmas table in memory of the manger in which Jesus Christ was born. And under the table you need to put a large iron box, to which all those present will touch with their feet in order to add strength and health to themselves. From time immemorial, iron has been considered in Russia as a symbol of strength and fortitude of spirit. After the festive dinner, the guests congratulate each other and present them with gifts.
Step 5
On Christmas Day, a group of young people walking around sing carols under the windows and at the doors of residential buildings. Carollers dress up in a special way, carry a bag decorated with their own hands in a festive way. In gratitude for the sung carols calling for success and prosperity to the house, the owners put pies and sweets into the bag.
Step 6
Throughout the Christmas week, which begins immediately after Christmas, the celebrants walk, amuse themselves, play folk games, ride down the snowy mountains, hold contests and fairs, and perform performances.
Step 7
The church encourages its parishioners to fast until Christmas. On the eve of the holiday, it is advisable to visit the Christmas liturgy, to pray for the health of your own and those of your loved ones. Church ministers ask in their sermons addressed to believers to try during Christmas time not to abuse alcohol, fatty foods, smoking, and backbiting.
