What words do you think of when you think of Christmas? Have you ever given someone a Christmas gift? Do you know what Christmas carols are? What is Boxing Day?

What words do you think of when you think of Christmas?

Have you ever given someone a Christmas gift?

Do you know what Christmas carols are?

What is Boxing Day?

Christmas is religious and secular holiday The religious holiday comes from Christianity It celebrates the birth of Christ (the name Christmas means “Christ’s Mass”) Christians will celebrate the holiday in a religious manner like going to church We also call Christmas a secular holiday, meaning it is celebrated for non-religious reasons Billions of people around the world will celebrate Christmas some way each year What has helped to make Christmas so popular?

Christmas is religious and secular holiday

The religious holiday comes from Christianity

It celebrates the birth of Christ (the name Christmas means “Christ’s Mass”)

Christians will celebrate the holiday in a religious manner like going to church

We also call Christmas a secular holiday, meaning it is celebrated for non-religious reasons

Billions of people around the world will celebrate Christmas some way each year

What has helped to make Christmas so popular?

Roman holidays Saturnalia was a gift-giving festival celebrated for about a week (December 17-24) Sol Invictus (“the sun unconquered”) celebrated the winter solstice on December 25 Christians The Bible doesn’t say when Jesus was born Some Christians chose December 25 and identified Jesus as the Sun—why? The Germanic peoples Yule was a winter holiday to honor the god Thor Yule (“Yuletide”) is another name for Christmas Many “Christmas plants” come from Yule

Roman holidays

Saturnalia was a gift-giving festival celebrated for about a week (December 17-24)

Sol Invictus (“the sun unconquered”) celebrated the winter solstice on December 25

Christians

The Bible doesn’t say when Jesus was born

Some Christians chose December 25 and identified Jesus as the Sun—why?

The Germanic peoples

Yule was a winter holiday to honor the god Thor

Yule (“Yuletide”) is another name for Christmas

Many “Christmas plants” come from Yule

Yule logs are a large log burnt during Christmas Some people watch a video of Yule logs on TV on Christmas Eve Many people eat cakes shaped like Yule logs

Yule logs are a large log burnt during Christmas

Some people watch a video of Yule logs on TV on Christmas Eve

Many people eat cakes shaped like Yule logs

A small plant used in European religious festivals Became a Christmas symbol in the 18 th century In British tradition, couples should kiss under a hanging mistletoe

A small plant used in European religious festivals

Became a Christmas symbol in the 18 th century

In British tradition, couples should kiss under a hanging mistletoe

The holly and ivy plants were a symbol of life in winter because they stayed green Wreaths made from these plants are a common Christmas decoration

The holly and ivy plants were a symbol of life in winter because they stayed green

Wreaths made from these plants are a common Christmas decoration

The Christmas tree originally comes from Germany and North Europe In the beginning it was a fir tree decorated with candles Modern trees have many decorations

The Christmas tree originally comes from Germany and North Europe

In the beginning it was a fir tree decorated with candles

Modern trees have many decorations

In the Bible, Jesus was born in a manger (stables) Nativity scenes depicting His birth are common in front of churches and in Christian homes

In the Bible, Jesus was born in a manger (stables)

Nativity scenes depicting His birth are common in front of churches and in Christian homes

In the Bible, “wise men from the East” learned of the birth of Jesus and brought gifts The Magi, the Three Wise Men, are a common theme of Western religious art

In the Bible, “wise men from the East” learned of the birth of Jesus and brought gifts

The Magi, the Three Wise Men, are a common theme of Western religious art

In Christian tradition, the Three Wise Men followed a star to the Holy Land This star is used as a decoration in churches and on many Christmas trees

In Christian tradition, the Three Wise Men followed a star to the Holy Land

This star is used as a decoration in churches and on many Christmas trees

St. Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa, is Christian religious figure He was famous for giving gifts to the poor The festival St. Nicholas Day was a gift-giving festival

St. Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa, is Christian religious figure

He was famous for giving gifts to the poor

The festival St. Nicholas Day was a gift-giving festival

Father Christmas was a British legend that joined with the festival of St. Nicholas to become Santa Claus Santa means Saint and Claus is short for Nicholas

Father Christmas was a British legend that joined with the festival of St. Nicholas to become Santa Claus

Santa means Saint and Claus is short for Nicholas

A classic poem from 1823 which offers a vivid picture of Santa Claus visiting on Christmas Eve The poem includes the names of Santa’s reindeer and his sleigh

A classic poem from 1823 which offers a vivid picture of Santa Claus visiting on Christmas Eve

The poem includes the names of Santa’s reindeer and his sleigh

German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast created the physical image of Santa Claus we know today in 1881 His Santa was a fat, jolly man with a red and white suit and white beard

German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast created the physical image of Santa Claus we know today in 1881

His Santa was a fat, jolly man with a red and white suit and white beard

Throughout the 20 th century, Santa was used in advertising He was also the star of movies and TV shows Today, Santa is the main symbol of Christmas around the world

Throughout the 20 th century, Santa was used in advertising

He was also the star of movies and TV shows

Today, Santa is the main symbol of Christmas around the world

A mainly European tradition that started in the 1400s Street markets that open in December and celebrate the coming of Christmas

A mainly European tradition that started in the 1400s

Street markets that open in December and celebrate the coming of Christmas

Traditional Christmas candy shaped like a shepherd’s cane Sometimes used as a decoration on Christmas trees Also used as a public decoration

Traditional Christmas candy shaped like a shepherd’s cane

Sometimes used as a decoration on Christmas trees

Also used as a public decoration

Another German tradition A large sock hung on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with gifts for children Usually filled with candy or small toys

Another German tradition

A large sock hung on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus can fill it with gifts for children

Usually filled with candy or small toys

A bread-like cake filled with dried fruit that can last for years Commonly given during Christmas but few people actually like them Slang for “crazy”

A bread-like cake filled with dried fruit that can last for years

Commonly given during Christmas but few people actually like them

Slang for “crazy”

Sometimes called “the Christmas flower” A plant from America with Christmas-like colors (green and red leaves) A popular decoration

Sometimes called “the Christmas flower”

A plant from America with Christmas-like colors (green and red leaves)

A popular decoration

Another old tradition, the snowman is a symbol of winter The cartoon and song “Frosty the Snowman” made snowmen a Christmas symbol too

Another old tradition, the snowman is a symbol of winter

The cartoon and song “Frosty the Snowman” made snowmen a Christmas symbol too

Which Christmas symbols do you see most often in China? How popular is it to give Christmas gifts in China? Does Christmas make Spring Festival less popular? Why or why not? Ask your teacher a question about Christmas.

Which Christmas symbols do you see most often in China?

How popular is it to give Christmas gifts in China?

Does Christmas make Spring Festival less popular? Why or why not?

Ask your teacher a question about Christmas.