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n 25th December Great Britain and the United States (and many other countries)

celebrate Christmas. The word Christmas comes from the Old English “Cristes maesse”, Christ‟s mass. On this day Christians celebrate the birth of Christ.

Kindness and giving are the spirit of Christmas. Charles Dickens, the famous British writer, wrote “A Christmas Carol”, a story about the true meaning ofChristmas. Why is Christmas celebrated on 25th December? Christmas comes
from two pagan festivals. People celebrated the winter solstice on 21st or 22nd December. The Roman emperors chose 25th December as the birthday of the sun (natalis solis).

After the winter solstice, the days become longer and the sun is higher in the sky. In ancient Rome this was the
season of Saturnalia. Saturnalia wasa time of merrymaking. During Saturnalia the Romans exchanged presents.

The pagan tribes of northern Europe enjoyed a 12-day winter festival called Yule. Yule had its own traditions

of Yule cakes, fir trees, holly, mistletoes and presents. Fir trees and holly are still a symbol of Christmas. Today a branch of mistletoe in the house has another meaning: when a boy and girl meet under themistletoe they usually kiss! The custom of kissing under the mistletoe is an ancient Celtic rite.

Medieval

Christmas was a long event. It lasted twelve days like the Yule festival. Celebrations started on 25th December and ended on the night of 6th January.

Christmas

is the biggest holiday on the American and British calendar. However, in Scotland, New Year is more important. In GreatBritain and the United States people prepare for Christmas weeks before 25th December.

Cities and towns are beautifully decorated with Christmas symbols: the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, colorful lights

and much more. Shop windows are full of presents for everyone. People are busy buying presents. There are Santa Clauses everywhere. On street corners people sing Christmas carols. In Britain manychildren go carol singing with an adult. They go from house to house and sing. They usually receive money for their singing. They use this money to buy presents. There is a joyous atmosphere.

Christmas today respects many of the old traditions and has added new ones. The modern Christmas tree originated in Western Germany long ago. The Germans put up a fir tree in their homes In
and decoratedit with biscuits and candles. German settlers took this tradition to North America in the 17 th century. By the 19th century Christmas trees were very popular in the United States. Britain the Christmas tree became popular after 1840. The German Prince Albert, Queen Victoria‟s husband took the Christmas tree to the British Royal Family. Soon the Christmas tree became popular all over GreatBritain. There is a big tree every year in Trafalgar Square, London.

Today

America‟s most famous Christmas tree is in the Rockefeller center, New York City.

America’s most famous Christmas tree

Teacher: Jenny Perdomo Rodríguez - CHRISTMAS GUIDE- 2011 - Eleventh Grade

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The Empire State Building in New York City is one of the tallest buildings in the world. At Christmas the top of thebuilding is illuminated with red and green lights!

Today almost every Christian family has a decorated Christmas tree at home

or in the garden. Some families put up the tree on Christmas Eve and others put it up at the beginning of December. Many families put a Nativity scene under the Christmas tree. St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity scene in the 1200‟s!

Many Americanswear „Christmas Clothes‟ during the Christmas season. These
are clothes with Christmas colors and symbols.

Christmas crackers are an old tradition. They were invented in London. Two people pull the cracker until it „bangs‟ and opens. Inside there is usually a small present, a paper hat and a joke. In the United States there are „Christmas shops‟ in many cities. They sell all types of Christmas...