Christmas traditions
Christmas traditions
Nativity Scene
Click on any figure to see a description of Christmas character
Click on any figure to see a description of Christmas character
The three wise men
The figures of the Magi, who came to worship the Savior and brought Him gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). Although, according to the Gospel, the Magi came to the house, not to the cave (Matthew 2:11), they are often presented as a part of the nativity scene.
The figures of the Magi, who came to worship the Savior and brought Him gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). Although, according to the Gospel, the Magi came to the house, not to the cave (Matthew 2:11), they are often presented as a part of the nativity scene.
The Holy Family
Three-dimensional figures of the Holy Child Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the righteous Joseph. The Christ Child is presented lying in the manger or in the arms of the seated Mother of God. Sometimes all the figures of the Holy Family are replaced by the icon of the Nativity.
Three-dimensional figures of the Holy Child Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the righteous Joseph. The Christ Child is presented lying in the manger or in the arms of the seated Mother of God. Sometimes all the figures of the Holy Family are replaced by the icon of the Nativity.
The angel
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
The ox and the donkey
The figures of the animals that, according to the Sacred tradition, were in the cave at the time of the Savior's birth, and then warmed Him with their breath.
The figures of the animals that, according to the Sacred tradition, were in the cave at the time of the Savior's birth, and then warmed Him with their breath.
The Star of Bethlehem
Celestial phenomenon, so called by the Magi, according to the Gospel of Matthew. When they saw it at sunrise and decided that the "king of the Jews" had been born, they came to Jerusalem to worship Him. They did not find what they were looking for and went to Bethlehem of Judea, where the star showed them the place where they saw the Holy Family.
Celestial phenomenon, so called by the Magi, according to the Gospel of Matthew. When they saw it at sunrise and decided that the "king of the Jews" had been born, they came to Jerusalem to worship Him. They did not find what they were looking for and went to Bethlehem of Judea, where the star showed them the place where they saw the Holy Family.
The shepherds with the sheep
The figures of those shepherds who came to the cave to worship the Savior. Typically, one of the shepherds is depicted with a lamb on his shoulders or in his arms. The lamb in this case is a symbol of Christ as the Lamb of God.
The figures of those shepherds who came to the cave to worship the Savior. Typically, one of the shepherds is depicted with a lamb on his shoulders or in his arms. The lamb in this case is a symbol of Christ as the Lamb of God.
The angel
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
Artists: Sergey and Tatiana Krylovs, Palekh
Artists: Sergey and Tatiana Krylovs, Palekh
1
The three wise men
The figures of the Magi, who came to worship the Savior and brought Him gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). Although, according to the Gospel, the Magi came to the house, not to the cave (Matthew 2:11), they are often presented as a part of the nativity scene.
The figures of the Magi, who came to worship the Savior and brought Him gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). Although, according to the Gospel, the Magi came to the house, not to the cave (Matthew 2:11), they are often presented as a part of the nativity scene.
3
The Holy Family
Three-dimensional figures of the Holy Child Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the righteous Joseph. The Christ Child is presented lying in the manger or in the arms of the seated Mother of God. Sometimes all the figures of the Holy Family are replaced by the icon of the Nativity.
Three-dimensional figures of the Holy Child Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the righteous Joseph. The Christ Child is presented lying in the manger or in the arms of the seated Mother of God. Sometimes all the figures of the Holy Family are replaced by the icon of the Nativity.
6
The angel
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
2
The ox and the donkey
The figures of the animals that, according to the Sacred tradition, were in the cave at the time of the Savior's birth, and then warmed Him with their breath.
The figures of the animals that, according to the Sacred tradition, were in the cave at the time of the Savior's birth, and then warmed Him with their breath.
4
The angel
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
The angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds.
5
The Star of Bethlehem
Celestial phenomenon, so called by the Magi, according to the Gospel of Matthew. When they saw it at sunrise and decided that the "king of the Jews" had been born, they came to Jerusalem to worship Him. They did not find what they were looking for and went to Bethlehem of Judea, where the star showed them the place where they saw the Holy Family.
Celestial phenomenon, so called by the Magi, according to the Gospel of Matthew. When they saw it at sunrise and decided that the "king of the Jews" had been born, they came to Jerusalem to worship Him. They did not find what they were looking for and went to Bethlehem of Judea, where the star showed them the place where they saw the Holy Family.
7
The shepherds with the sheep
The figures of those shepherds who came to the cave to worship the Savior. Typically, one of the shepherds is depicted with a lamb on his shoulders or in his arms. The lamb in this case is a symbol of Christ as the Lamb of God.
The figures of those shepherds who came to the cave to worship the Savior. Typically, one of the shepherds is depicted with a lamb on his shoulders or in his arms. The lamb in this case is a symbol of Christ as the Lamb of God.
Shuya, the capital
of Russian Christmas
of Russian Christmas
Learn about the history of the ancient Shuya town and why Christmas traditions are being revived here.
And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”.
(Gospel of Luke)
And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”.
(Gospel of Luke)
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
(Gospel of Matthew)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(Gospel of John)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(Gospel of John)
What is the difference between carols and Christmas songs?
During the years of Soviet atheism, the concepts of caroling and Christmas songs became confused. Carols came from paganism and have nothing to do with Christianity.
So why are they called Christmas carols? How to distinguish a mummer from a Star singer? What were the holiday hymns in the Orthodox tradition?
How did spruce become a Christmas symbol?
Today a decorated spruce seems familiar, but a few centuries ago it was treated with disgust. How did spruce turn from a gloomy tree into a common favorite and a symbol of winter holidays?
Christmas meal
Traditional festive dishes from old recipes that you can cook.
Christmas for children
How can we explain the meanings of Christmas to children so that they feel the significance of the holiday?
What to read about Christmas?
Turn on the holiday mood
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