Christmas Eve: what can and cannot be done (signs)

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

On January 6, all Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve, which ends the 40-day Filippov Fast. Believers are preparing for the momentous date that marked the beginning of the life of Jesus. Over the centuries, this holiday has been overgrown with a large number of customs and omens. We will find out what you can and cannot do on Christmas Eve.

Where did it come from

The holiday takes its name from the name of the food "sokivo", which, if translated from Old Slavic, means "vegetable oil". So, they called porridge, for its preparation cereal grains, wheat, barley, rice were soaked, pieces of fruits or vegetables were added.

Interestingly, no oil, it was not allowed to put in it, you can only have a spoonful of honey.

If a strict fast is observed, then on this day you cannot eat until the first star appears. The custom is connected with the fact that the Magi saw the Star of Bethlehem in the sky, it was the news of the birth of Christ, but the liturgical charter, such a tradition is not prescribed.

How is the holiday

The most important thing for believers on this day is visiting a church, namely a Christian service. Housewives usually clean rooms and prepare food. Many women try to decorate the table in an unusual way, cover it with original self-assembly, hide several straws under it, which symbolize the nursery.

Banknotes and cloves of garlic are laid out in the corners, this brings contentment to the house. They put an ax under the table, you can have more than one so that everyone can put their feet on it, this helps to strengthen the physical and moral spirit.

In the middle, be sure to put a bouquet of candles and spruce branches.

Let's consider what you can and cannot do on Christmas Eve, in more detail:

All treats should be lean.

1. The number of dishes is 12, according to the number of the apostles.
2. All dishes should at least be tasted, it is forbidden to leave any food intact.
3. Before Christmas, nothing should be removed from the table.
4. There must be a star of Bethlehem on the tree, announcing the birth of a baby who will save the world.
5. It is advisable that all household members wear new clothes.
6. On this night, you cannot guess, for this there is a specially designated time from Christmas time to Epiphany.

Of course, there is a ban on swearing and swearing during the holiday, although it could be extended for all other days of the year. And, of course, do not forget about mercy and support people in need.

And it was also considered a bad omen to leave the house, you could start demons. And there was also a belief that you cannot be away from loved ones, otherwise you will wander all year.

Christmas Eve Omens

On this day, nothing happens just like that, so you need to pay attention to any little things. For example, there is a sign by which you can determine what the next year will be, it is to notice who is the first to come into the house:

• drunk - noise and scandals are expected;
• woman - gossip and bad luck;
• a man - to security;
• an elderly person - to longevity;
• poor - to need;
• a few people - to wealth.

If a bird knocks on the window, then wait for the news. It was believed that on Christmas Day everything you ask will come true. For strength, you must repeat the request 77 times.

If quarrels and scandals constantly occur in the family, then you can stop them in the following way. On the night before Christmas, take water into any container and put it out in the frost, in the morning bring it, put it on the stove and boil it.

When the water cools down, you can cook food for your husband on it, let him wash with it. And in the rest, wash his things. They say that after such a ritual, relations in the family are improving.

And also there are many signs on Christmas Eve that portend health:

1. If a person who is sick begins to sneeze, it means that he is recovering and longevity awaits him.
2. A small child who takes his first steps on this day will grow up strong and healthy.
3. It is advisable for all family members to wash themselves with holy water, as well as prepare festive meals on it.
4. For a whole year to pass in health, the whole family needs to join hands and dance around the tree.

Harbingers of good luck

By listening to the omens, you can form a good mood that will attract abundance and luck to your home:

1. Spilled tea indicates that all the planned projects will be successful.
2. To see a hunchback, great luck, especially if you also touch him.
3. Step into the manure - to contentment.
4. Seeing a mouse is a cost.
5. During dinner, you need to light everything you can in the house, chandeliers, light bulbs, candles, this will attract financial well-being.
6. A lamp should be lit in honor of those who have already died, this will lead to prosperity.
7. It is necessary to feed your pets to the dump, then the whole year will be favorable.

As you can see, knowing what you can and cannot do on Christmas Eve can save you from many troubles and pull luck by the tail.