Winter is characterized by a large number of holidays. Catholic Christmas is considered to be one of the greatest and most important in the world. This holiday is celebrated on December 25, when according to biblical stories the Virgin Mary gave birth to our Savior – Jesus Christ. The whole period before Christmas is called Advent, and dinner on the 24th is Christmas Eve. It is a special family holiday that fills people’s hearts with love, warmth and mercy.
Symbols of Catholic Christmas
The main symbols of this holiday are the Christmas tree and the Advent wreath. It consists of spruce branches and hangs from the outside on the front door of houses. Also, some people decorate it with four candles, which are lit alternately before Christmas. The Christmas tree is decorated with various colored balls, serpentines, garlands and it creates a romantic and emotional mood during all the holidays.
Another important symbol is the shopka, which depicts the scene of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the shop you can see the Virgin Mary, Joseph, little Jesus, sages from the East with gifts, angels and lambs. It is mostly installed on the feast of the Blessed Virgin – December 8.
In some countries it is customary to decorate rooms and the holiday table decorated with various spices, oranges. They are called – pomanders. They draw various patterns, decorate everything around and these fragrant Christmas symbols, with their wonderful aroma, fill the whole house.
In addition, many other holiday symbols are used, such as candles, gifts, bells, greeting cards and more.
Interesting traditions of celebrating Catholic Christmas
The celebration of Christmas begins on Christmas Eve. Its name comes from a special dish that is always prepared for dinner – kuti. Kutia consists of wheat, which is seasoned with honey, candied fruit, raisins, poppies.
As soon as the first Star of Bethlehem rises in the sky and announces the birth of Jesus Christ, the whole family gathers around the feast table. They eat a variety of songs, pray, sing carols. The very next day after visiting the churches, everyone celebrates Catholic Christmas. There must be a turkey on the holiday table on this day. In some countries, depending on tradition, use goose or duck, which is baked with apples. But in Scandinavia, pigs are slaughtered and various smoked dishes are prepared. And even before Christmas, special cakes are baked in which wishes for the whole next year are placed inside. Such cakes are served to all who come to visit on holidays.
Despite the recognition of this majestic holiday, we are convinced that you will be interested to know that…
1. One of the oldest Ukrainian Christmas traditions is the nativity scene. The history of the nativity scene dates back to the 17th century. Young men, rarely children, dress up as traditional Christmas characters and go from house to house with carols. For such a theatrical caroling, the hosts should thank the young people with goodies from the festive table or money. An interesting fact – a miserly owner is usually rewarded with “damages” and sorrows from the characters of the nativity scene.
2. Christmas Eve is traditionally celebrated before Christmas. This is a special joint dinner for the whole family at one table. The hostesses prepare the traditional 12 dishes, which may differ depending on the region of the celebration, but the prerequisite is that they are “songs”. You can sit down to meals immediately after the meeting of the First Star, and before dinner, of course, prayer. It is interesting that why sravs are prepared precisely on 12. There is a theory that such a number of dishes is explained by the number of holy apostles, another opinion is that there are exactly so many months in the year.
3. The Christmas tree used to be decorated for Christmas. This evergreen tree, dressed in bright decorations, nuts and sweets, symbolized abundance, goodness and a happy future. Agree, it is very symbolic, because the rest of the trees lost their beauty in the winter period of the year. Traditionally, the top of the Christmas tree was decorated with a “star” – the Star of Bethlehem.
4. It is believed that the night before Christmas is filled with mysticism. Since time immemorial, unmarried young girls have been divination on their fate at this time, young women were especially interested in when they will finally get married, and who will be their chosen one!
5. The most beautiful tradition of Christmas, without a doubt, is visiting family and godchildren. After dinner, the whole family took kutya with them – one of the 12 dishes that symbolize the connection with deceased family members, and visited from house to house, visiting the whole extended family, and necessarily, visiting all the godchildren. Together they sang carols and rejoiced at this great holiday. In conclusion, I would like to add that Christmas was traditionally celebrated in the most beautiful clothes and the table was decorated with festive dishes. It was considered a bad omen to be late for dinner or to quarrel with someone. Our ancestors believed that Christmas itself determines what year awaits the whole family.
Where to spend Catholic Christmas in the Carpathians?
Catholic Christmas is a bright and emotional holiday that you want to spend with your dearest people, friends in a wonderful and cozy atmosphere.
There are many places for this in the Carpathians. You can visit the Mariinsky Spiritual Center in Zarvanytsia, the Silver Sheshorsky Waterfalls, the residence of St. Nicholas in the village of Pistyn, the souvenir market and the aveduk bridge in Vorokhta, the contact zoo “Hutsul Land” in Bukovel. If you want to relax with pepper, you can visit the Pepper Mountain, where you can take part in master classes in laziness, sheep breeding, cheese making and wood carving.
But you will feel the most cozy, festive and warm atmosphere in TAOR KarpatyResort & Spa ****. You will immediately immerse yourself in the festive Christmas atmosphere created by pleasant live music, delicious dishes eaten in different countries around the world on Catholic Christmas, the opportunity to wish each other all the best and share the holy Oplatk during the Holy Supper. And on Christmas itself, the sonorous voices of carolers with the Nativity Scene will greet you with their carols, create unforgettable moments and an amazing winter holiday. You will be filled with warmth and feel the spirit of Catholic Christmas, which is celebrated in Poland and most countries.
Come to TAOR Karpaty Resort & Spa **** and create your fabulous moments, unexpected miracles and wonderful memories of winter holidays, which with the light of the Christmas star illuminate your future life in goodness, peace, love and prosperity.