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In the Russian Empire, the Christmas tree was introduced by Peter I after his return from Europe, who ordered Christmas trees to be placed near the courtyards of the rich and decorated. And for ordinary people, at least decorate the gates with Christmas tree branches. Over time, the Christmas tree moved to homes, thanks to Dutch confectioners who began selling already decorated Christmas trees in their pastry shops

Subsequently, with the introduction of the Christian religion as a state religion in Russia (the so-called "baptism of Russia"), the rite of caroling was adapted to the celebration of Christmas. Priests and monks created new religious carols with biblical images, which also gained great popularity among the people. Prominent composers undertook the processing and restoration of carols: Mykola Lysenko, Stanislav Lyudkevich, and others. In carols, according to tradition, all members of the family were honored: the master, the mistress, the boyfriend, the girlfriend. The caroling was combined with a corresponding theatrical performance, dances, and music. They caroled in groups, having previously distributed responsibilities: chieftain "birch", "star", "mihonosha" and "ryajeni". Metropolitan Vasyl Lypkivskyi described Christmas carols as follows in his Christmas sermon "The Meaning of Christmas Carols":

Очень популярными обрядовыми песнями были в народе колядки и щедривки. Колядки поют с 25 декабря по 7 января. Они приурочились к Рождеству. А щедривки – к Новому году (по старому стилю –14 января).
Колядки – самый древний фольклорный жанр. Они хранят в себе память старого родоплеменного времени и связаны с зимним поворотом солнца на лето, которое называли праздником Коляды. Праздновали его 25 декабря (по старому стилю), когда ночь была самой длинной. Природа в это время замирала. Считалось, что солнце съедал злой Корочун – темное славянское божество. Богиня неба Коляда рожала новое солнце-маленького Божича.