Christmas has long been for believersfamily holiday, when we not only honor traditions, but also try to introduce our children to them. The guys gladly decorate the tree and join the game with caroling. After learning a few carols, they go about their families and neighbors with excitement, knowing that they will get a refreshment and a little money. However, if the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree is observed in almost every family, then not all are caressed. The custom of this one time was almost lost and only recently it began to revive. But what is this custom, and what do we know about it?
There was once the ancient Slavs paganholiday - Christmas carol or Korotun. He had to on December 21 and was associated with the winter solstice. Slavs believed that the snake Korotun that day was eaten by the Sun. Then the goddess Kolyada gave birth to a new Sun, and so that the Korotun did not eat it, the pagans chased him out with rites. And then they went to their neighbor's houses and announced the birth of a new Sun or a new year. The mummified people, with the appearance of the first star, knocked at home, sang majestic songs about the stars, the sun and the moon, wishing the owners well-being. Later these songs were also called carols.
With the advent of Christianity in Russia, paganceremonies have not lost their influence, and the church has a need to adapt them to faith. As a result, the holiday of Kolyada was "redone" for the church and timed to Christmas and Christmas. But carols for Christmas in the meaning have not changed. They still glorify the owners of the house, wish them a rich harvest and health, and also beg for food for themselves.
For Christians, the holiday of the Nativity of Christ remainsone of the most significant holidays of the year. In Russia it is celebrated on January 7. It is spent in the circle of family and close friends. Children receive gifts and tell the learned Christmas carols. In this case, it is customary to sow grains as a symbol of well-being. There are other customs that also migrated from pagan rites. For example, decorate a Christmas tree, decorate a home. So, today the coniferous beauty, decorated with toys and garlands, is an obligatory attribute of Christmas. And in the house a festive tablecloth is laid on the table, candles are lit everywhere, and the room smells nice with a Christmas tree and delicious food. Mistresses should take note that on the eve of the holiday you need to keep ready for small baked goods and sweets, as at this time children can come and sing Christmas carols. If there is no baking, you can give kolyaduyuschih small money. The guys are usually equally happy, both to that and to another. And sometimes Christmas carols for Christmas openly contain a request to donate money. In this case, it is better not to refuse and give a small denomination. Refuse is not accepted. You can take the children yourself and go on familiar, wishing them all well-being. So they meet Christmas in the cities.
In some villages the same ritual of caroling is moreis close to what was conducted earlier, just a century ago. The festivities were massive. The ransackers gathered a whole crowd, and the adults. They ranged in different animals: a bear, a pig, a cat, a crane, a fox. Necessarily among them was one to be dressed in a goat. The goat symbolized fertility and prosperity. They took a goat from house to house. It was necessary to put an eight-pointed star on a long pole, light a candle inside it and announce the arrival of Christmas. Some Christmas carols have preserved the old text, which mentions the aksen, oats and other mythological characters associated with the spring solar cycle. Others praise the arrival of Christmas. But no matter how they start, in each of them the caroling people try to get the guests out of the owners. However, not all before, apparently, hastened to present Christmas guests. The stingy owners of carpenters threatened to spoil something or take away a cow or a goat. And today Christmas carols for Christmas often follow the congratulations and wishes of good and health, contain warnings about what threatens the greedy masters. But they sound more jocular, and hardly anyone will be offended by those who did not want to give presents to mummers. And in general, the ceremony of caroling bears a cheerful and positive attitude, giving many pleasant moments to everyone on the eve of Christmas.
