Before the holiday, Christians around the world observe a particularly strict fast; it is a time of remembrance of Old Testament events that prophesied the coming of Jesus. On Christmas Eve, the fast is observed especially strictly – nothing but lenten food is allowed until the first star appears.
Catholics hold three services on Christmas Day: at midnight, early in the morning, and during the day, signifying the birth of the Savior in God the Father, physical incarnation through the Virgin Mary, and in the soul of the Christian. In the 13th century, the custom of making nativity scenes (mangers) appeared: figurines depicting scenes of the Infant's birth.
Later, this tradition moved from churches to parishioners' homes, where they began to set up santons – small models, often glassed, depicting a grotto and a manger with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This tradition appeared in Rus' in the 16th century. Common to both Catholics and Orthodox is the rite of caroling (called 'slavlenie' in our country), when young people and teenagers go from house to house, congratulating on the arrival of Christmas. It is considered good manners to generously treat the visitors; stinginess on such a day threatens troubles and misfortunes in the coming year.
Catholic Christmas in many countries is closely linked to pagan traditions. For example, in some countries, a so-called 'Christmas log' is lit for the holiday; it is carefully chosen, brought into the house, drizzled with honey and oil, then a cross is carved on it and it is set on fire. These obvious remnants of paganism are often condemned by official church authorities but remain common in parishioners' homes. Another Catholic tradition of celebration, this time quite Christian, is the breaking of unleavened wafers consecrated during Advent (waiting).
The tradition of setting up a Christmas tree is also considered partly pagan; it originated in Germany in the 16th century. Initially, a tree was placed on the town square for Christmas, then it moved into homes. In Russia, Christmas trees took a very long time to catch on; this tradition became widespread only by the early 20th century, before that trees were set up in German houses in St. Petersburg and the homes of Germanophile aristocrats.
During the Soviet years, Christmas trees were banned for some time, as was Christmas itself. However, trees returned to our homes in 1935, and Christmas returned in the early 1990s.
Based on materials from the project 'Toasts and Poems' (Christmas. Toasts and Poems).
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