Merry Christmas!

[Вивьен]

Dear forum members, I want to congratulate all a Happy Christmas!
I know that many of you (those who live in Europe) have already bought gifts and going to visit.
I wish everyone in this bright holiday health, love and goodness!

Love, Peace and Joy came down on earth on Christmas day to make you happy and cheerful.
May Christmas spread cheer in your lives!

[NATA NOVA]

Сообщение от Vivian

are going to visit.

 
thank you .. Family holiday ...
(All are strictly for mink)
 
And I personally can not stand this lisemernogo Pharisees consumer mass psychosis. (IMHO)

[Posav]

Сообщение от NATA NOVA

thanks .. Family holiday ... (All are strictly for mink)
 And I personally can not stand this lisemernogo Pharisees consumer mass psychosis. ( IMHO )

Nat , do not spoil the mood. > It's a tradition , not potrebitelky psychosis. Everyone who will now try 12 dishes , grow stronger comrades , strong stomach you . >

[Tana]

Vivian, thanks for the congratulations !
 For me, Christmas is as skazaka , the lightest trace holidays when the whole family gets together , the stern of a party with friends , family, starting a week before Christmas and after , Christmas tree, mandarin , gifts, chocolates, a whole bunch of tasty , good folm on TV ( Broggi remembered Jeans >)
How can you not love this holiday?
Yes, and Santa (Father Christmas) already carries gifts (you can posmetret when it is in your country):
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

PS We always put on a glass of whiskey fireplace for Father Christmas and Christmas cookies and carrots for his reindeer to Rudolph. ( Incidentally shot of the morning and the plate is always empty)

[Santa]

Christmas in the western Christians


December 25
Christmas is a great festival, established in memory of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Christmas - one of the most important Christian holidays and public holidays in over 100 countries.

December 25 Christmas Day is celebrated not only Catholics, but Orthodox majority of the world, Lutherans and other Protestant denominations.

The first information about the celebration of Christmas by Christians belong to the 4th century. The actual date of birth of Jesus Christ is a controversial and ambiguous solutions among ecclesiastical writers. Perhaps the choice of December 25 is connected with the arrival of this day pagan solar festival "Birth of the Sun Invincible," which after the adoption of Christianity, Rome was filled with new content.

According to one contemporary hypotheses, the choice of the date of the Nativity occurred due to the simultaneous celebration of the early Christians, the Incarnation (conception of Christ) and Easter. Accordingly, as a result of additions to this date (March 25) nine months, Christmas fell on the winter solstice.

Christmas holiday is five days predprazdnestva (from 20 to 24 December) and six days poprazdnestva. On the eve or the day of Vigil celebration (December 24) to be particularly strict fasting, called Eve, because this day is consumed sochivo - cooked with honey wheat or barley grain. According to tradition, Christmas Eve post ends with the appearance of the sky first evening star. On the eve of the holiday to mind the Old Testament prophecies and events that are related to Christmas Savior. Christmas divine services are performed three times at midnight, at dawn and the day that symbolizes Christmas in the bosom of the Father, in the womb of the Mother of God and the soul of every Christian.

In the 13th century during the reign of St. Francis of Assisi, the custom of display in temples to worship the manger in which the figure of Baby Jesus is placed. Over time, nurseries were set before Christmas, not only in churches but also in homes. Home Santonian - models in glass boxes depict the cave, and lying in a manger baby Jesus. Next to him the Virgin, Joseph, an angel who came to worship the shepherds, and animals - ox, a donkey. Portrayed as entire scenes from folk life: for example, near the holy family are placed peasants in traditional dress.

Religious and folk customs harmoniously woven into the celebration of Christmas. In Catholic countries the custom of caroling is well known - walking from house to house children and youth with songs and good wishes. In response carols receive gifts: salami, roasted chestnuts, fruit, eggs, cakes, sweets. Mean bosses ridiculed and threatened them troubles. In the process involves a variety of masks, the masks in the skins of animals, this action is accompanied by revelry. This custom has repeatedly condemned by the ecclesiastical authorities as a pagan, and gradually began to walk with carols only to relatives, neighbors and closest friends.

On the remnants of pagan worship of the sun at Christmas time Christmas tradition indicates ignition ceremonial fire in the home hearth - "Christmas logs." Log solemnly, observing the various ceremonies, brought into the house and set fire to, to pray together and cutting a cross on it (an attempt to reconcile the pagan rite of the Christian religion). Log sprinkled with corn, doused with honey, wine and oil, put it on pieces of food, turned to him as a living being, raised in his honor glasses of wine.

During Christmas the custom refract "Christmas bread" - the special unleavened wafer, sanctified in the church during Advent - and eat it as a festive meal before and during the greetings and congratulations to each other on the holiday.

Characteristic element of the Nativity is a custom install in the homes of dressed wood spruce. This pagan tradition was born from the Germanic peoples, in which fur rites was a symbol of life and fertility. With the spread of Christianity among the peoples of Central and Northern Europe decorated with colorful balloons spruce finds a new symbolism: it began to establish homes on December 24, as a symbol of paradise tree with abundant fruit.

[Кирилл Сызранский]

Today - December 25 - Christmas is celebrated around the world Christians.


The exceptions are Jerusalem, Russian, Georgian and Serbian Orthodox churches, who meet this celebration on the night of January 7 - the Julian calendar.

[Артём]

Сообщение от Cyril Syzran

exception of Jerusalem, Russian, Georgian and Serbian Orthodox churches, which met this day on the night of January 7 - the Julian calendar.

It is surprising that the Greeks celebrate today, as
we have the Greek-Russian church originally.

[Кирилл Сызранский]

Сообщение от Artem

Surprisingly, the Greeks celebrate today, as
we have the Greek-Russian church originally.

And the Greeks had long since moved to a new style, even in the 20s, I think.

[Отшельник]

all a Merry Christmas

Happy Christmas !
with the happiness of pure, bright, new !
Let Christ protects the family ,
on the right path you guides !
Let your life be a minimum of anxiety !
I wish that the Lord has helped you all .

Dear Members once all a Merry Christmas

[Артём]

Сообщение от Cyril Syzran

And the Greeks had long since moved to a new style, even in the 20s, it seems.

Do not even want to continue.

Congratulations to all a Merry Christmas!
Calmness in the soul and a beautiful table for a holiday!