The most popular version nigh the origin of Ukrainian Christmas carols` name "kolyadky" is the relation of this give-and-take to Romanian name of New Twelvemonth – "calendae januarine", which literally means "the showtime of January".
In the ancient times, kolyadky were ritual pagan songs related to the wintertime wheel, the birth of the new Dominicus and honoring of ancestors. Traditionally, people sang kolyadky on the holiday of Wintertime Solstice ("Kolyada") on December 21. After Kyiv Rus was Christianized in 988, Orthodox Church started to extirpate old Heathen traditions, simply it was very hard to make people forget the beliefs of many generations at brusk find. That`south why information technology was decided to unite some Heathen holidays with appropriate Christian celebrations. In this way, Kolyada holiday merged with Orthodox Christmas.
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Read: Ukrainian Traditional Christmas Ornaments and Decorations
Since kolyadky turned into Ukrainian Christmas songs, many of them acquired new religious meaning. Kolyadky with Biblical motifs near Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary and Three Wise Men became very popular among Ukrainians. Nevertheless, it was well-nigh impossible to distinguish kolyadky into folk and religious ones – the patterns of both traditions interacted and combined in the most unusual ways. Though, there are particular signature church Christmas carols, and even some kolyadky with strange origins.
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In Christmas Eve, people singing Christmas songs ("kolyadnyky") traditionally walk from home to home, bringing aureate Bethlehem star with a light. Often, particularly in the Western regions of the country, kolyadnyky clothes as a Goat (Ukrainian traditional symbol of wellness and wealth) or in costumes of Biblical characters, and play different scenes. The whole procedure of singing Christmas songs and playing Biblical scenes is chosen "kolyaduvannya". In dissimilar regions of the country, kolyaduvannya took place in various days: on Christmas Eve, on the next day or fifty-fifty 2 days after Christmas.
Christmas carols in Ukrainian villages were unremarkably performed by groups formed separately of young girls, young men or children. Depending on gender and historic period of particular group members, melody, rhythm and even lyrics of carols could vary. For example, Christmas songs for kids are simplified – it is often simply a congratulation and an inquire for a advantage.
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Read: Slavic Pagan Traditions for the New Year Eve
According to traditions, girls who sang Christmas carols did not walk into the house, while men were allowed to step in for a short fourth dimension. The young men sang songs near holy icons, took a seat at the tabular array, then bowed to the hosts and continued their way to the next habitation. The hosts always greeted singers with great joy and gratitude, presenting them sweets and money and inviting them to enjoy meals at festive dinner. The singers usually kept sweets for themselves, while money was provided past them to the Church.
"Dobry vechir tobi, pane gospodaryu"! ("Practiced evening, host"!) is the most popular among all Christmas songs in Ukrainian linguistic communication. The lyrics of this song include congratulations with the nativity of Jesus Christ and invite anybody to celebration.

"Nova radist` stala" ("New joy has come")
This is i of the most lovely Ukrainian Christian Christmas songs. It combines the all-time elements of religious and folk carols, telling about the joy of people related to the new-built-in promise for peaceful and happy life.

"Tykha nich, svyata nich…" ("Silent nighttime, holy nighttime")
This is i of the earth-wide appreciated Christmas songs. Ukrainian variant of the song is very beautiful, merely the real authors of this composition lived in Austria. The text of kolyadka "Tykha nich, svyata nich…" was written in 1818 past Joseph Mohr, and music was equanimous by organ player Franz Gruber.

"Po vsiomu svitu stala novyna" ("The news has got around the whole globe") is one more great vocal from popular Ukrainian Christmas carols.

After 70-yr regime of atheist Soviet government, the folk and religious traditions began to revive step by stride. Christmas became an official land holiday, and nowadays Christmas carols sound at homes, in kindergartens and schools. In Christmas time, we can encounter young people in folk costumes holding Bethlehem star, singing about new-born Jesus and wishing people goodness, wealth and merry holidays.
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