The Slavic peoples are famous for the special traditions of the celebration of Christmas. Let's consider the widespread family traditions and the order of carrying out of the given holiday which our ancestors adhered. By the way, the modern embodiment of old traditions, can make the holiday organized by you unforgettable, interesting and fascinating.
Preparation.
Usually for the celebration of Christmas choose a rich and hospitable house. The hostess of the "appointed" house is obliged on the threshold of Christmas to make visits to all friends and acquaintances, inviting them to her, and not forgetting to name every future guest by name. Always special attention was given to the invitation of young girls. They were invited the next day, and this was done by the so-called "nanny". The hostess of the house where the invited girl lives, always tried to give the nanny a drink, so that she could find out the names of the other guests, and especially the name of the "sucheno".
Such was the guy who was appointed by the nanny to the girl on the day of the holiday. This appointment is not contested, and it must be accepted by both newly appointed prisoners and their parents. For a guy to become "narrowed", meant to gain some rights regarding the girl, and the duty to entertain and care for her only. Usually, the "nanny" tried to take into account the preferences of young people, but this was not always possible.
The first festive evening.
A special, when celebrating Christmas in the family, is the first evening of the holiday. This day, to be exact, the evening is entirely devoted to discussions and discussions. After all, on the first day of Christmas, it was decided to devote to the reception of "red girls", as well as to meet the guests. Usually near the gate guests who came earlier, or ordinary people who were not invited, gathered. This was done in order to see who was going to visit, to evaluate the escort, and to talk about a decent or unworthy meeting. I would like to note that the profession of "ceremonial master" originated back in those days. After all, at the head of each escort of a red maiden was just such a person, although at that time this post was called modestly - "grandmother-pozyvalka." Enter the house guests could only if they were met by the owners. Until the meeting, no one could arbitrarily cross the threshold of the house. The obligatory moment of the meeting was the transfer of guests to the owners in a sign of respect for the guests: sweets, pies, household items. In rich and noble families it was customary to give ornaments, expensive fabrics, thoroughbred horses.
The first thing that guests should have done when entering the house is to pray before the images. Only after that they had the right to greet the others present, and sit down at the table.
The girlfriend.
A very interesting custom of family celebrations of Christmas, is the rite of "sdruzheniya." It consists in the fact that all the invited girls, even before not knowing each other, were obliged to become friends that evening, spend time together and be called "friends". Such demands have not often become the beginning of strong family relationships even very distant relatives. Also, "friends" must have been in the house together for the night. For this purpose, they deliberately moved in a separate room. It was believed that the dreams seen by "friends" that night, become prophetic for the house. Therefore, to mass (previously there was no right), the mistress of the house went into the room to the girls, gave them a "morning drink" (a mixture of wine, beer, honey and spices) and asked what they dreamed.
Next usually follows breakfast and games. But after the games the fun begins.
Betrothed.
At the appointed time in the house appear narrowed. The owner of the house, and the landlady are obliged to introduce the boys to the girls, and tell them whom and whom they chose for the couple today. In the evening, numerous guests gather at the table again. By the way to which the host has seated the guest, his honor is determined. Particular attention was paid to the lush, red-cheeked, blond woman. If among the guests was this, she was elected the queen of the evening and put in a place of honor. On the right side of the table sat unmarried rich men, and women from unseen families. To the left are young married ladies. Usually young wives were forbidden to speak, and in any way to feel sympathy for the evening. The more humble and shy she was, the more admiration she evoked. Newly created pairs of "suchens" were seated in corners, they were allowed to communicate and joke, but only in a half-whisper. At the same time, the elders should not interfere in the entertainment of the youth.
Festive table.
The festive table when celebrating Christmas in the family, was usually more diverse than traditional. The more food, and the more interesting and diverse it is, the better. A special role on Christmas day was played by drinks. Since ancient times, alcohol, in all its manifestations has become an indispensable part of the festive table, and the provision of a good mood and a fun holiday. Obligatory was also the presence on the table of a variety of sweets and pies, which guests were supposed to bring with them.
So once in Russia there was a celebration of the Nativity of Christ. Today, from the old traditions there were only memories, and a desire to celebrate Christmas in the family, in an atmosphere of love and joy. But traditions are not lost, if they are not forgotten, and we can restore them and adapt them to modern times. What would once and our heirs could tell long stories about how they celebrate Christmas in the family to which they belong.