Christmas carols

|

Christmas carols are songs (Christian or secular) traditionally interpreted during the holiday season. According to Catholic tradition, the first Christmas carols were sung by the angels above the manger to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. Historically, the first Christmas … Read More

Advent symbols and traditions

|

In Catholicism, The great Os, sometimes called “Major Antiphons”, or “O before the Christmas”, are antiphonies sung of Vespers of Advent in the week preceding the Feast of the Nativity. Tradition had been respected since about the eighth century in … Read More

The Star of Bethlehem

|

The “Star of Bethlehem” or “Christmas Star” is the sign that, according to the Gospel, announced to the Oriental Magi the birth of Jesus. The Christian tradition (The star guiding the Magi, mosaic of Ravenna, beginning of the 6th century, … Read More

History of the Christmas tree

|

(Rock carvings in the Swedish province of Bohuslän, made between 1800 and 500 BC and showing a spruce) If it is clear that the custom of the modern Christmas tree dates back to the Renaissance in the Germanic countries (attestation … Read More

Christmas Advent Liturgy – Meaning and Ceremonial

|

(Incense during vespers of Advent.) The time of Advent celebrates the triple coming of Christ; His birth in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, his coming into the heart of men of all times, and his glorious return at the end … Read More

Christmas gifts

|

It is traditional to offer a Christmas gift for the Christmas holiday, usually to children and the immediate family. These gifts are offered according to tradition, the evening of December 24 and follows the opening of gifts at midnight. This … Read More

Advent history

|

(Representation of Saint Perpetuus) The celebration of Advent begins in the fifth century, when the Bishop Perpetuus, in an order, decides that starting with the feast of St. Martin, November 11 until Christmas, one fasts three times per week: this … Read More

Secular symbols and traditions for Christmas

|

Christmas Eve (Christmas dinner in northern Europe in the early twentieth century in a wealthy family (illustration by Carl Larsson, 1904-1905).) The evening of December 24, which for Catholics is cut by the midnight mass, is in the vast majority … Read More

Advent and Christmas celebrations in Catholic Church

|

(Advent Wreath) Christmas is the second of five cardinal feasts of the Catholic liturgical year. Advent is the liturgical period that encompasses the four Sundays before Christmas. Since the nineteenth century in Northern Europe, most recently in other European countries, … Read More

Advent

|

Advent (from the Latin adventus: advent, arrival of the Messiah) is the period that covers a few weeks before Christmas, four in the tradition of the Latin Church. Since the introduction of this liturgical season, by analogy with Quadragesima Lent … Read More

Advent calendar

|

An Advent calendar is a symbol of the holy season of Advent, celebrated in December near Christmas, another holiday season. The traditional calendar consists of two pieces of cardboard on top of each other. Twenty four doors are cut out … Read More