EVOLVE Educational Vocational Objective Learning of Vernacular English

Christmas

 

The Traditions of Christmas

Task 1
Match the words in the text to their synonyms

bonfire	hundreds of years
calf	celebrated
carolling	acknowledgement
cattle	the longest/shortest day
centuries	plan
dowry	eat a lot
feast	young cow
fermented	cows and sheep
hearth	brewed
mistletoe	killed
nocturnal	night time
perish	succeed
prosper	die
recognition	a traditional plant
rejoiced	branches
slaughtered	singing
solstice	moving around on foot
sprigs	long socks
stockings	a payment for marriage
wandering	fireplace

 

An Ancient Holiday

The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.

Merry Christmas!

An Englishman named John Calcott Horsley helped to popularize the tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards when he began producing small cards featuring festive scenes and a pre-written holiday greeting in the late 1830s. Newly efficient post offices in England and the United States made the cards nearly overnight sensations. At about the same time, similar cards were being made by R.H. Pease, the first American card maker, in Albany, New York, and Louis Prang, a German who immigrated to America in 1850.
Celtic and Teutonic peoples had long considered mistletoe to have magic powers. It was said to have the ability to heal wounds and increase fertility. Celts hung mistletoe in their homes in order to bring themselves good luck and ward off evil spirits. During holidays in the Victorian era, the English would hang sprigs of mistletoe from ceilings and in doorways. If someone was found standing under the mistletoe, they would be kissed by someone else in the room, behaviour not usually demonstrated in Victorian society.
Carolling also began in England. Wandering musicians would travel from town to town visiting castles and homes of the rich. In return for their performance, the musicians hoped to receive a hot meal or money.
In the United States and England, children hang stockings on their bedpost or near a fireplace on Christmas Eve, hoping that it will be filled with treats while they sleep. In Scandinavia, similar-minded children leave their shoes on the hearth. This tradition can be traced to legends about Saint Nicholas. One legend tells of three poor sisters who could not marry because they had no money for a dowry. To save them from being sold by their father, St. Nick left each of the three sisters gifts of gold coins. One went down the chimney and landed in a pair of shoes that had been left on the hearth. Another went into a window and into a pair of stockings left hanging by the fire to dry.

 

Task 2
Mark these questions true or false

1 Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter.          

2 The longest day is on the 21st of December.                                  

3 Beer and wine were ready to be drunk in the winter.                      

4 German people stayed inside because they were afraid of their god.   

5 Greetings cards were a sign of Pease.                                       

6 If you stand under mistletoe you might be kissed.                         

7 Poor people gave rich singers food for singing songs.                    

8 In The USA and UK children place long socks in the fire.                       

9 In Scandinavia children leave their shoes by the fire.                            

10 Fathers sell their daughters at Christmas.                             

          

Task 3
Ask and answer

• Is Christmas a part of customs in your country?
• Do you enjoy traditional celebrations?
• Is there another feast day in your country?
• Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?
• Do you think festivals are an important part of culture?
• Would you give money to people singing on the street?

 

http://www.history.com/minisites/christmas/viewPage?pageId=1252

 

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=1275&display_order=2&mini_id=1290