What are the holy stories
In Russia, the first stories for the Christmasthemes appeared in the 19th century. "Christmas stories" of the English writer Charles Dickens, translated into Russian and won huge success with readers, became the basis for imitation. In the domestic literature, thanks to many outstanding masters of the artistic word, there has developed its own prose filled with deep meaning.
Russian sacred literature returns topeople after decades of undeserved oblivion. With the resumption of the Christmas celebration in Russia, this layer of national culture again makes readers happy with their plainness, touching sentimentality and kindness.
Waiting for a miracle
It so happened that on Christmas people hope forthe accomplishment of a miracle. Heroes of the holy stories are looking forward to something new, unknown or inaccessible to them. And it comes! Not necessarily this miracle will be something incredible, just waiting will turn into ordinary human happiness, bring an unexpected salvation. Instructive kindness
In the 19th century, the broad layers of the reading public lovedChristmas stories for edification and good nature. Holy stories were published in special literary collections, on pages of newspapers and magazines and were addressed, first of all, to children of different ages. This literary genre possesses great opportunities for educating morality, contributes to the formation of the person's personality, because it is based on a huge meaning. Masters of the genre
In the history of Russian literature, the merit of revivalprose prose belongs to NS. Leskov. The writer, who believed that the ideals of the Christian faith were eternal, determined the genre of holy stories. According to the classic of Russian literature, these stories must necessarily contain morality, be fantastic, happily and fun to complete. All the events that take place must occur on the Christmas Eve night from Christmas to Epiphany. Leskov some holy stories he created directly for children ("Ghost in the Engineer's Castle", "Indefinite ruble", "Scarecrow"). Storytellers in them are children, all events are evaluated through the child's consciousness. Leskov has mischievous and curious holy stories filled with deep wisdom ("Pearl necklace", "darning man", "Robbery"). To the genre of holy prose are some stories of A. Chekhov, I. Bunin, L. Andreev, F. Sologub and others. Each of these Russian writers in their own way tried to show the main holiday reminding people of the meaning of their existence on earth. The recognized master of the Christmas story, Charles Dickens, considered the Christmas day a "day of mercy, kindness and forgiveness." It is in these days that people open their hearts to each other and see in each person their own kind. "Softened" by the great holiday of the heart are capable of mercy and warmth, are ready to repent. Themes and images of stories
The main Christmas condition, joyfulemotion, is transmitted by the image of the Christ of the Child, therefore the images of children are central in the holy stories. Often the child - the hero of a holy history, innocently suffers, is deprived of life, deeply unhappy. The theme of the family also occupies an important place in the holy stories. Repeated in them are the motives of family comfort, home, unity of close people. Holy stories are useful for soul-searching reading at any time of the year, and not just on Christmas holidays. They strengthen the person's desire for moral improvement or regeneration, teach mercy and compassion, call for doing good.
