Christmas

santa.pngIt is estimated that Christmas has been celebrated since around 300 AD. However, many of the customs connected to Christmas as we celebrate it today may actually have roots in December celebrations which were held as much as 4000 years ago around the winter solstice - the Romans had Saturnalia and the Germanic peoples honoured the god Odin. As the Bible does not give enough clues as to when Jesus Christ was born, many believe that the date was borrowed from the earlier pagan festivals.


Today, the Christmas tree and presents are probably the two most recognisable elements of Christmas. But both of these haven’t really been around for that long. In Britain, the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree was introduced in the early 19th century. In America, it became common in the second half of the century. It seems that gift-giving isrelatively new, too - presents entered Christmas celebrations more or less at the same time as Christmas trees. 

Nowadays, Christmas is celebrated in many countries of the world, including those whose populations are mostly non-Christian. As Christmas became more and more secular, its economic importance grew as well-today the ‘Christmas shopping season’ may start as early as October. 

Quiz 
1. The date of Christmas comes from 
a) the Bible. 
b) the Roman people. 
c) old pagan festivals. 

2. Decorating the Christmas tree is a tradition 
a) which is as old as Christmas. 
b) which started at the same time as gift-giving. 
c) which is the newest Christmas custom of all. 

3. Christmas is celebrated 
a) only in the countries where most people are Christian. 
b) everywhere in the world. 
c) in many non-Christian places in the world. 

 

Ресурсні матеріали для 1-4 класів
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Student's Worksheets 
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Teacher's Notes 


Ресурсні матеріали для 5-6 класів
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Student's Worksheets 
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Teacher's Notes 

Ресурсні матеріали для 7-9 класів
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Student's Worksheets
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Teacher's Notes 

Ресурсні матеріали для 10-11 класів
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Student's Worksheets 
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Christmas Teacher's Notes 

Ресурсні матеріали для дорослих
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Celebrations: The Christmas Cracker Quiz 
https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Webquest: Christmas 


https://www.macmillan.ru/upload/ico/ico_pdf.gif Celebrations: Christmas Songs

 

Завдання до відеоролика Live from London: Christmas
MS_word_DOC-1.png Live from London: Christmas (transcript)
MS_word_DOC-1.png Live from London: Christmas (worksheet)
MS_word_DOC-1.png Seven ideas on how to use this video with your class