Christmas Day Customs and Traditions

Contents Nativity play Nativity play The custom of hanging stockings The custom of hanging stockings Letters to Father Christmas Letters to Father Christmas The hanging of greenery The hanging of greenery The fir tree The fir tree The decoration of Christmas tree The decoration of Christmas tree Burning the Yule log Burning the Yule log Mince pies Mince pies Christmas crackers Christmas crackers

Gifts Wassailing The celebration of Boxing Day

Christmas is a joyful religious holiday when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christians story comes from the Bible.

An angel appeared to shepherds and told them that a Savior had been born to Mary and Joseph in a stable in Bethlehem. Three Wise Men from the East followed a wondrous star which led them to the baby Jesus to whom they paid homage and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It is traditional in England for Primary schools to put on a Nativity play and every year children perform in the village church for the parents and local people.

The custom of hanging stockings comes from England. Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while coming down the chimney.

Children write letters to Father Christmas listing their requests,but instead of dropping them in the mailbox,the letters are tossed into the fireplace.

The hanging of greenery around the house,such as holly and ivy,is a winter tradition with well before the Christian era. The decoration of Christmas tree has been widely popular in England since 1841.

A Nordic tradition of burning the Yule log goes back to medieval times.The Yule log was originally an entire tree,carefully chosen, and brought into the house with great ceremony.The large end would be placed into the hearth while the rest of the tree stuck out into the room.

On the Christmas Eve children leave out mince pies,brandy or some similar warming beverage for Father Christmas,and a carrot for the reindeer.

The word 'wassail' derived from the Anglo- Saxon phrase waes hael, which means good health. Originally,wassail was a beverage made of mulled ale, curdled cream,roasted apples,eggs,cloves,ginger,nutmeg and sugar. The bowl was carried into a room with great fanfare,a traditional carol about the drink was sung,and finally, the steaming hot beverage was served.

Boxing Day The celebration of Boxing Day,which take place on December 26- the feast of ST. Stephen,is apart of the holiday season unique to Great Britain. Traditionally,it is on this day that the alms box at every English church is opened and the contents are distributed to the poor.

Testing 1.When do Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ?(a-23-d b-25th c-26th December) 2.(a-three b-four c-five)Wise Men from the East followed a wondrous star which led them to the baby Jesus. 3.It is traditional in England for Primary School to put on a (a-Maths b-Nativity c-Literature) play. 4.The custom of hanging stockings comes from (a-England b-Germany c-the USA )

Testing 5.Children write letters to Father Christmas listing their requests and dropping them (a-in the mailbox b-in the fireplace c-outdoors ) 6.The fir tree has a long association with Christianity, it began in Germany almost a (a-1000 b-600 c-300) years ago. 7.ANordic tradition of burning the Yule log goes back to (a-medieval b-ancient c-nowadays )times. 8.The celebration of Boxing Day takes place on December (a-26th b-27th c-29th )