Egyptians are the first people to celebrate a birthday
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The most common version is that the founders of the celebrations are the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt. It should be noted that only pharaohs, royalty and their heirs had the right to magnificent celebrations. At first it was mostly men.
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In ancient and medieval times, birthdays did not have much significance among ordinary people. Most of them were not familiar with calendars and did not count years. And human life did not then have such value as to organize grandiose feasts on this occasion.
Epilogue
Author of the photo: o. Sergiy Klintsov.
Christmas divides time into two eras - “before” and “after”. At different times there were attempts to start the reckoning from other events, but sooner or later there was always a return to normal, and thus humanity proved that the appearance of Christ on earth, in spite of everything, was the main event in its history. But humanity is living, concrete people - all of us, with our joys and sorrows, hopes and disappointments, faith and doubts. Therefore, the words of Joseph Brodsky turn out to be very true - “at Christmas everyone is a little wise man.” Everyone wants to see and follow the star that will lead to the manger of the Savior. True, we often go to Him not with gifts, but for gifts, forgetting that before asking, we must bring. But what can you bring as a gift to God? Heart. It is for their sake, for the sake of human hearts, that the Star of Bethlehem was lit two thousand years ago and is lit every year.
See also:
How Christmas was repressed
Infographics. Calendars: what's the difference?
When New Year comes...
Church New Year
Where did the tradition of celebrating the New Year come from in Rus', and is it possible for believers to celebrate it?
New Year: Show or still a Sacrament?
Literature:
- The Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, chapters 1-2, tell about Christmas.
- Four Gospels. Interpretation and guide to study (compiled by M. Barsov). T1, “Lepta”, M.: 2002, p. 99-287.
- Kuraev Andrey, deacon. School theology. "Svetloyar". – St. Petersburg, 2000.
- Nativity. / Ed. prof. M. Skaballanovich. Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius, 1995 (reprint of the 1916 edition).
- Uspensky N.D., prof. History and significance of the Christmas holiday // Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate. 1956, no. 12.
- Jesus Christ and the Gospels. Dictionary. // Biblical and Theological Institute of St. Apostle Andrew. M.: 2003, p. 531-544.
Celebrating divine birthdays among the Ancient Greeks
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In Ancient Greece, there was a tradition of celebrating the birthdays of the gods 12 times a year. Each revered deity had a certain date on which ceremonial events took place. For example, Artemis (goddess of the Moon and Hunt) was honored every month on the 6th.
If we talk about people, then only the head of the family had the right to celebrate a birthday. Unlike divine name days, his holiday was once a year. There was no talk of making holidays for the rest of the household. Over time, customs changed. Each country has developed original traditions and ways of celebrating birthdays.
Versions of occurrence
It is not known for certain how and when such a tradition first appeared. This is a holiday that is currently the most widespread throughout the world; it is celebrated by people of different countries, ages, religions and income levels. The only exceptions are a few sects that deny any celebrations other than those associated with their faith.
Historians suggest that the tradition simultaneously arose in many parts of the planet, so history has not preserved the only author and time of the appearance of this custom for us. But experts identify three main versions of the origin. Scientists believe that each of them influenced the formation and emergence of this holiday to varying degrees.
Trace of the Pagans
The pagans attached great importance to black magic, closely intertwining the events of everyday life with it. Particular importance was attached to it at such significant moments as the arrival of a new person into this world or departure to other worlds. According to one belief, every person on his birthday becomes completely defenseless in the face of dark forces that can attack him and completely enslave his bright soul. Otherworldly forces can come to the birthday person in the form of unfamiliar people or random people they meet, so the most reliable protection is to surround yourself with loved ones.
This gave birth to the tradition of spending dangerous time in the company of relatives, kind and good people, which will save you from meeting ill-wishers and dark spirits. The louder people have fun on this day, the more likely otherworldly forces will stay away from the fun.
Christian view
A science such as history clearly describes the attitude of early Christianity to this issue. In ancient times, when Christianity was just born, it became a competitor to paganism, and therefore denied all pagan customs. This happened with the birthday, the celebration of which was categorically not welcomed by the priests.
Moreover, the Christian church did not consider the coming of a child into this world a phenomenon about which one should feel delighted. The point was a peculiar perception of the world, according to which every Christian comes into this world, full of trials, troubles, sorrow and temptations to go through a difficult earthly path. Death was painted in more optimistic tones, since after it came a transition to the best of worlds, where everyone who has thrown off the burden of sins will end up.
Eastern gods
Another version sends those who are looking for the roots of the holiday to the east. The story describes a traditional ritual that exists in Persia, during which the birthday of one of the most revered gods, Mithras, was celebrated. He was the god of the Sun, that is, the change of seasons, crop yields and other important events in the life of the Persians depended on him. Therefore, this holiday was in scale something like the New Year for the present time.
Roman warriors who arrived in Persia around 400 AD learned much from Eastern culture and brought stories about it to Ancient Rome. In this way, the story of the Sun God and an interesting form of honor came to the West. The emperors, who equated themselves with the gods who govern life on Earth, were not slow to “try on” the rite of honor. Apparently, they liked it and received further distribution.
Nativity
History offers another version related to the origin of this festival. Many scientists believe that the tradition took hold after the story of the Nativity of Christ spread among Christians. The Holy Scripture describes in detail how, after the rising of the star of Bethlehem, the wise men came to the newborn baby’s stable and brought gifts to the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
Everyone who read the Bible took this as direct guidance, so congratulations and gifts on the occasion of the birth of a new family member became a normal occurrence and reconciled Christians with the traditions of the pagans, which affected not only the lives of individual people, but also the entire subsequent history.
Germany and candles on the cake, burning from morning to evening
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In the 13th century, the Germans developed the custom of celebrating children's birthdays. According to it, the hero of the occasion was woken up early in the morning and his relatives presented him with a birthday cake with lighted candles. Interestingly, the number of candles corresponded to the age of the child, and an additional one was placed - symbolizing the immediate moment of birth. This pie could not be eaten right away; it had to sit until the festive dinner. During the day, the burnt out candles were replaced with new ones. During the evening meal, the child made a cherished wish and blew out the candles, then the treat was distributed to everyone gathered at the table. The treasured gifts were delivered to the child by the “birthday gnome” - a character that existed in German folklore stories until the beginning of the 20th century.
The most expensive party cost twenty-seven million dollars
We all know that a birthday can be celebrated in style, but nothing compares to the splurge of the Sultan of Brunei. He spent nearly thirty million to celebrate his fiftieth birthday, and most of it went to pay for Michael Jackson's appearance.
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Great Britain and the custom of fortune telling
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A special feature of the celebration in the UK is that guests are notified in advance - invitations are sent out 2 months before the celebration. It is believed that in this way guests will be able to make their plans in advance and decide in advance whether they will attend the celebration or give preference to other important matters.
On this day, it is customary to predict the fate of the birthday person. This is done using common fortune telling or a specially invited fortune teller. Citizens celebrating their 80th, 90th, and 100th birthdays receive personal congratulations from the Queen of England.
Latin America and a special 15th birthday for girls
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In Latin America, the birthday on which a girl turns 15 plays an important role. This age is considered a special date, and the celebration is on a large scale - a thoughtful program, a large number of guests, expensive gifts. On this day, according to tradition, the birthday girl spins in a waltz for the first time, dancing first of all with her father, and then with potential suitors. In a number of countries, on this day, girls have the right to wear their first high-heeled shoes.
The Dutch and the celebration of crown years
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On their birthday, Dutch schoolchildren receive a distinctive sign from their teacher - a hat made of colored paper. His classmates congratulate him and give him small gifts and souvenirs. The birthday boy's place at his desk is decorated with satin ribbons and balloons. And he, in turn, prepares treats for those who study with him. Interestingly, in Holland there are dates that are celebrated especially solemnly - these are 5, 10, 15, 20 years and 21 years. They are called crown years.
Serving the stars
Perhaps, at first glance, the story of the wise men and the star seems like a fairy tale. Many critics of the Gospel argued that this was a later insertion into the Holy Scriptures, made by the Greeks in order to embellish and mythologize the event of Christmas, which the evangelists spoke very sparingly about. But if we accept this point of view, then nothing can be said about the life of Christ, because almost everything we know about the Savior is told in the Gospel. But if there was still a Star, there were Magi, then what is the meaning of their appearance at the time of the birth of Jesus?
Author of the photo: Olga Ryndina.
Who are the “magi”? Who were these people and how does the Gospel relate to them? In the Greek text they are called magicians. Herodotus, for example, writes that this was the name given to the Medes, who belonged to the priestly caste of the Persian Empire. Perhaps they were Zoroastrians who interpreted dreams; in addition, they were astrologers, sages who were said to have supernatural powers. The Gospel says that the Magi came “from the east.” Persia, Babylon, Arabia and Egypt may fit this definition. However, ancient church tradition calls Persia the homeland of the Magi on the grounds that the prophet Daniel lived in this country for a long time (VI century BC). Moreover, he was there “the head of the wise.” Perhaps he left his subordinates with knowledge of the biblical God and the expected Messiah. And this knowledge was passed on from generation to generation.
Many people, both now and in ancient times, believe and believed that the fate of a person is determined by the stars. The Greco-Roman world firmly believed that the birth or death of great people, political changes were preceded by the appearance of stars or comets. So the Magi, seeing the Star of the Messiah, go to Judea to worship Him. According to the Gospel, the Star guides them. What versions have not been put forward over 2000 years to explain the vision of the Magi!
Astronomer Johannes Keppler in the 17th century suggested that the Star of Bethlehem is a “parade of planets,” that is, they come so close that the visual effect of one bright star is created. On December 17, 1603, he observed the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation Pisces. And in the spring of 1604, Mars joined them. Keppler suggested that a similar phenomenon occurred in 7-6 AD. BC
There was an assumption that the Star of Bethlehem is nothing more than Halley's Comet. The Roman historian Cassius Dio wrote about the appearance of the comet. However, Cassius' message dates back to 742 from the founding of Rome. It turns out 12 BC, that is, too early for the gospel events. Finally, in our time, American astronomers have suggested that the Magi observed a supernova or the birth of a new star in the constellation Capricorn in the spring of 5 BC. This theory seems interesting, given the data of Chinese chronicles, which date this event specifically to 5 - 4 years. BC. However, all these theories have one thing in common - the denial that the Star could lead the Magi.
For example, Keppler explained the words of the Evangelist Matthew that “the star which they saw in the east walked before them until at last it came and stood over the place where the Child was,” approximately as follows. The Gospel conveys the impression that the magicians formed when they constantly focused on the Star on the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, that is, simply an optical illusion. And further:
“The Bible speaks to people about the subjects of human life in the same language in which they are accustomed to speak. It is not a textbook of optics or astronomy, but has higher goals in mind.”
Indeed, the Bible is not an astronomy textbook. That is why most interpreters of the Gospel, fathers and teachers of the Church believe that the Star of Bethlehem was such only in appearance, but in fact it was a special star created by God. The opinion of St. stands apart. John Chrysostom, who said that the Magi were led by an Angel who appeared in the form of a star. Christian authors proposed such versions, firstly, based on the message of the Evangelist Matthew that the star walked in front of the Magi and stopped immediately in front of the nativity scene. Secondly, her “strange” behavior in Jerusalem, when the simple-minded wise men came there to find out: “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” The star simply disappeared from them, and at the same time from those who “sought to destroy the Child.” That is, she behaved very unusually for a natural phenomenon - when necessary, she appeared, and then disappeared again.
Why has the Church always insisted on the miracle of the Star of Bethlehem? Couldn't this have been a natural phenomenon?
Yes, of course it could. But the Church, when speaking about the supernatural nature of a star, does not mean a conflict between science and faith. The point is the Christian vision of Christmas as a miracle. And the miracle of the Star of the Messiah in the church consciousness is identical to the miracle of the birth of the God-man. Persian pagan sages go to the small village of Bethlehem, located in little Judea, almost on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, to worship the Savior, Who was born here. What brings them here - a simple coincidence? No. The Magi are brought here by the miracle of the birth of the God-Man. The astrologers could not have come to Bethlehem by accident. This is precisely the main pathos of the gospel story about the Star.
Therefore, it is useless to speculate about the nature of the Star. Whatever it is, it was sent from God so that the pagans would recognize and worship the Messiah. Even if Johannes Keppler is right and the Persian sages observed a “parade of planets” or the birth of a new star, what does this contradict? Really, having learned that it was not a star, but an Angel leading them to the manger of the Infant God, would they turn around and go back to their astrolabes? The Magi did not follow a star, they were heading to the King of the Jews, to the Savior. Moreover, they were not embarrassed when they found Him not in the royal chambers, but in a wretched den - a cave where animals are hidden in bad weather. That is, at first they accepted the Star of the Messiah itself as a miracle revealed to them, believed it, and then they followed it. This is probably why they found their Savior...
Russian name days are a celebration on a grand scale
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Until the beginning of the 19th century, it was not customary to celebrate birthdays in our country. Instead, starting from the 17th century, the name day was pompously celebrated - the day of remembrance of the saint in whose honor a person received his name at baptism. Large tables were set for name days. Rolls, pies and loaves are among the main treats. The assembled guests congratulated the birthday boy and sang songs in his honor.
In the 19th century, the custom of celebrating birthdays arose; at first only nobles and merchants did this. It was only in the 20th century that birthdays received the status of an important holiday that was given great importance. Russians love to do everything on a grand scale, and this also applies to organizing celebrations. And today they organize big holidays - they lay a table replete with food and drinks, sing songs, and have fun. The invitees present gifts and make beautiful and laudatory speeches in honor of the hero of the occasion.
Middle Ages
After Christianity was established in the territory of Ancient Rome, the birthday was called a pagan holiday and was banned. Accordingly, for almost the entire Middle Ages the church condemned this tradition and hindered it in every possible way.
It was only in the 12th-13th centuries that dates of births began to be noted in parish registers, which led to the emergence of a family tradition of celebration. They also especially celebrated the day when a baby was born for the first time. This custom became especially popular during the heyday of Protestantism in Europe.
