Hanging of the greens facts for kids
The hanging of the greens is a special Christian ceremony. During this event, churches and other buildings are decorated for Advent and Christmas. It usually happens right before the Advent season begins. This gets everyone ready for the Christmas season.
During the ceremony, people place green plants, like evergreens, inside the church. These evergreen plants, like wreaths, have a special meaning. In Christianity, they symbolize everlasting life. This is a key idea in the Christian faith.
What Happens During the Ceremony?
During the "hanging of the greens" ceremony, special readings are often shared. These readings help explain the meaning of the decorations. They talk about why things like holly, cedar, the Advent wreath, and the Chrismon tree are important.
Many churches also set up Christmas trees during this time. Sometimes, these trees are left without decorations until Christmas Eve.
When Do Decorations Go Up and Come Down?
In many countries, like Sweden, people start putting up their Advent and Christmas decorations on the first day of Advent. This is often done at home, even if there isn't a formal church ceremony.
In the Western Christian world, there are two traditional days when Christmas decorations are taken down. The first is Twelfth Night. If they are not removed then, they are usually taken down by Candlemas. Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas-Epiphany season in some Christian groups. Historically, leaving decorations up past Candlemas was thought to bring bad luck.
See also
