ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Symbols of Christmas

Photo: Архив
Christmas gives us joy and we forget our everyday worries in order to immerse in the festive mood. People often view Christmas as a time to rethink their lives. On Christmas people become more humane and their positive emotions feed on the hope for a better year. The magic starts on Christmas Eve, when the family gathers at the table and the oldest one blesses the dinner, while burning incense.

“The Lenten Christmas dinner is deeply symbolic,” theologian professor Kalin Yanakiev says. “It represents the fullness of the home and the fact that nothing additional is needed. Christmas marks the incredible event of merging the ancient God, who created the world, with the new beginning,” he adds.

On Christmas the Savior comes to this world to make it a better place and spread love that can change even the most hardened heart, if it accepts god’s word. Professor Yanakiev says that Christmas is a holiday of traditions, which is also a great joy for children who can fully immerse into its deep magic. Everything on Christmas from the Christmas tree to the dinner has its symbolic meaning. A number of symbols are related to God’s power and his protection of Joseph and Mary. The wreaths we put on the door is a symbol of the crown of thorns of Jesus. The tradition of the Christmas tree comes from the times when Christians celebrated the holiday together with the holiday of Adam and Eve. The celebrations included theatrical performances of Adam and Eve eating from the tree of knowledge. As the holiday is during the winter, people started decorating evergreen trees with apples. The star on the top of the tree symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, which appeared to mark the birth of Christ. It also symbolizes the light that shows us the way. Candy sticks, representing the shepherds’ crooks are also put on the tree. The holiday of Adam and Eve was forgotten but the Christmas tree remained. Bells on the tree symbolize the harmony in Christian society and close relation between God and people. The candles symbolize the hope and the light Christ brings people to lead them out of the darkness. The candle is a symbol of faith but also of the temporary human life.

“We all live in insecurity, which can be compared to walking on water,” Professor Yanakiev says. “We are truly walking on water, in which we can sink any minute. But we continue walking, which means there is a deep metaphysical trust. If we have this trust, it means someone above gave it to us. We must use this faith and sincerely say ‘Let there be you will.’ If we accept these words, we will be able to live without fear. We must keep this deep faith and that is what I wish all people,” professor Yanakiev concluded.

English: Alexander Markov
По публикацията работи: Darina Grigorova


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria Life   

More from category

A former British navy officer sings Bulgaria in rhyme

After dedicating 23 years of his life to the Royal Navy, British man Darren Carter decided to retire in 2013. He admits that for years he had been drifting aimlessly through the "rough waters of life", moving from job to job, country to country - until..

published on 7/31/24 2:26 PM

"A Matter of Taste" – a happy return to the past without political twist

Maria Valkova's documentary "A Matter of Taste" tells about "life once upon a time" with love, respect and without a political flavour. The idea for its creation was born during a lunch, when Maria once again saw the simple food with..

published on 7/31/24 9:07 AM

New Bulgarian Sunday school will open doors in Chicago in September

"Our school will open its doors to children who wish to maintain and develop their language, culture and traditions," says the Bulgarica Cultural Center , which will operate the educational center.   For the new 2024/2025 school year, children..

published on 7/30/24 12:41 PM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 33
Clear
Min: 19 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 20 | Max: 29
Clear
Min: 11 | Max: 33
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 31
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 32
Clear
Min: 14 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 13 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 17 | Max: 33
Clear
Min: 14 | Max: 32
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 32
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 33
Clear
Min: 17 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 33
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 21 | Max: 32
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 31
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 32
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 28
Clear
Min: 11 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 33
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 17 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 31
Clear
Min: 17 | Max: 33
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

New Bulgarian Sunday school will open doors in Chicago in September

"Our school will open its doors to children who wish to maintain and develop their language, culture and traditions," says the Bulgarica Cultural Center..

published on 7/30/24 12:41 PM

"A Matter of Taste" – a happy return to the past without political twist

Maria Valkova's documentary "A Matter of Taste" tells about "life once upon a time" with love, respect and without a political flavour...

published on 7/31/24 9:07 AM

A former British navy officer sings Bulgaria in rhyme

After dedicating 23 years of his life to the Royal Navy, British man Darren Carter decided to retire in 2013. He admits that for years he had been..

published on 7/31/24 2:26 PM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"