Слайд 2Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday in honor of
the birth of Jesus Christ that people in Europe and in the USA celebrate on December, 25.
Слайд 3Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, completing an
Advent calendar or Advent wreath, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights and nativity scenes.
Слайд 9The Christmas Tree
Thousands of years ago, there were people who believed
that evergreen trees were magical. People saw the evergreen as a symbol of life and as a sure sign that sunshine and spring would soon return.
Слайд 10So when did the Christmas tree come indoors? Legend has it
that the tradition was begun by Martin Luther in Germany. The custom spread in Germany, and from there all over the world.
Слайд 11In 1841, Albert set up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle
near London to remind him of his homeland.
Слайд 13The Christmas Angel
Angels played an important role in the first Christmas.
The archangel Gabriel informed the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ on Earth, an angel visited Joseph in a dream to tell him that he would be the Jesus' father on Earth.
Слайд 14Placing angel ornaments on top of Christmas trees or on their
evergreen branches is a beloved holiday tradition.
Слайд 15Christmas Stockings
A Christmas stocking is an empty sock that is hung
on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins or other small gifts when he arrives.
Слайд 16Legend
Very long ago, there lived a poor man and his three
very beautiful daughters. He had no money to get his daughters married. Saint Nicholas was passing through when he heard the villagers talking about the girls. St. Nicholas wanted to help, but knew that the old man wouldn't accept charity. After dark he threw three bags of gold through an open window. They landed in stockings which were hung by the fireplace to dry. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning they found the bags of gold and were, of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after.
Слайд 18Christmas wreaths
It is evergreen decoration with candles. It is called an
Advent Crown. The wreath of evergreen may be hung from the ceiling and decorated with four candles. One of these candles is lit on each of the Sundays up to Christmas, until on the fourth Sunday they are all lit.
Слайд 20Christmas Cards
Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weeks preceding Christmas Day by
many people. The traditional greeting reads "wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year".
The design might show Christian symbols, Christmas traditions, objects associated with Christmas and Christmastime activities.
Слайд 24Christmas Lights
In the early seventeenth century, Germans began bringing trees indoors
at Christmas and decorating them with candles. But it was dangerous and led to many home fires. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the first successful practical light bulb, created the first strand of electric lights.
Слайд 28Christmas Nativities
It is traditional in the UK for Primary schools to
perform Nativity Play for the parents and local people associated with the school.
Слайд 29The parts of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men
are played by children. In the past, it was common for live farm animals excluding pigs to be used in the plays.
Слайд 31Christmas Crackers
A cracker consists of a cardboard tube wrapped in brightly decorated paper
with a prize in the central chamber. The cracker is pulled by two people, which causes the cracker to split, with one person holding the centre chamber of the cracker where the prizes are contained.
Слайд 33Candles
Candles were often placed in windows during the Christmas season as
a sign to those passing by that shelter and warmth could be found within.
Слайд 36Christmas Holly
Holly is common at Christmas time. In many western cultures, holly is
a traditional Christmas decoration, used especially in wreaths and illustrations, for instance on Christmas cards. Sometimes it replaced the Christmas tree.
Слайд 38Advent Calendars
The most common ones in the UK and USA are
made of paper or card with 25 little windows on. A window is opened on every day in
December and a Christmas picture is displayed underneath.
Слайд 42Christmas Turkey
The turkey was introduced into Europe from the New World
in the 15th and 16th Centuries and, because it was inexpensive and quick to fatten, it soon rose in popularity as a Christmas feast food.
Слайд 44Jingle Bells
It is one of the best-known and commonly
sung American Christmas songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) and published under the title "One Horse Open Sleigh" in the autumn of 1857.
Слайд 45Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol (song or hymn) whose lyrics are on the theme
of Christmas, and which is traditionally sung on Christmas itself or during the surrounding holiday season.
Слайд 46We Wish You a Merry Christmas
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
is a popular English carol from the West Country of England, which was composed in the 16th century.
The origin of this Christmas carol lies in the English tradition. Wealthy people gave Christmas treats to the carolers on Christmas Eve.
Слайд 47Silent Night
“Silent Night” is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz
Xaver
Слайд 48O Holy Night
“O Holy Night” is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in
1847 to a famous French poem.
It is usually performed during Christmas Masses in churches.
Слайд 49Quiz
When do people celebrate Christmas?
What modern customs of this holiday do
you know?
What is Christmas Eve?
Where was the tradition of setting the Christmas Tree begun?
What do people place on the top of the Christmas Tree?
Why do children hang up stockings on the Christmas Tree or a fireplace?
Where can we see Christmas Wreaths?
Слайд 50What can be drawn on a Christmas Card?
How do people use
Christmas Lights?
What are Nativity Plays about?
Do you know any plants that symbolise Christmas?
How many numbers are there on an Advent Calendar?
What famous Christmas songs do you know?