Tomorrow, December 25th, Ukrainians will celebrate one of the most important holidays of the Christian world — the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the first large-scale celebration according to the New Julian calendar after the transition of most Ukrainian communities to the new date.
Why Christmas is important for Ukrainians
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine reminds that Christmas is not only a historical event, but also a symbol of hope, love and God's presence among people. "The birth of the Son of God, our Savior, opened a new path for humanity, and every detail of this event is filled with deep meaning," emphasized the OCU.
History and symbolism of the holiday
According to OCU information, neither Scripture nor Church Tradition provides the exact date of Christ's birth. The event itself and the circumstances of the Nativity are described in the New Testament by two evangelists — the apostle Matthew and the apostle Luke. The calendar date of December 25th, widespread in Western churches, was also chosen by Eastern churches in the 4th century.
The Savior was born in Bethlehem of Judea, where righteous Joseph and the Virgin Mary arrived from Nazareth in connection with the census announced by Emperor Octavian Augustus. Due to the city's overcrowding "she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn".
The first witnesses of Christ's birth
The first to learn about the birth of Jesus Christ were poor shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks on the outskirts of Bethlehem. An angel announced this to them with the words: "Do not be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord".
A special role in the Christmas story was played by the wise men from the east — scholars with deep knowledge of astronomy and medicine, who came to worship the newborn King of the Jews, bringing gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The Star of Bethlehem and its symbolism
Scientists have tried to explain the Star of Bethlehem through various astronomical phenomena — a comet, the birth of a new star, or planetary conjunction. However, Church Fathers considered it a miraculous phenomenon that doesn't fit within the framework of astronomy. The Star of Bethlehem became an important symbol of Christmas celebrations and is most often depicted in the form of eight rays, symbolizing all directions of the world.
Christmas traditions in Ukraine
Christmas celebrations usually take place in the circle of closest people. In the morning, believers greet each other with the words "Christ is born!", to which they respond "Glory to Him!". On this day, many Ukrainians attend Christmas services and gather around the festive table.
An integral part of Christmas celebrations is caroling — children and adults go around homes, sing carols and glorify the birth of Christ. In many communities, nativity scenes are set up — theatrical performances that recreate the biblical story of Christmas.
Since Christmas marks the end of the fast, meat dishes and other delicacies appear on the table, with special place given to homemade recipes passed down from generation to generation.
