ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS december 1., 2020. grade 9.2.

Fill in the gaps. Advent comes from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming" or "arrival." In Western churches, Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, or the Sunday closest to November 30. Advent lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24.Advent is a season of spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. The Advent season is both a time of celebration and penance.The colour during this period is purple.Christmas, Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin. The earlier term Yule may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl, which referred to the feast of the winter solstice. The corresponding terms in other languages—Navidadin Spanish, Natalein Italian, Noël in French—all probably denote nativity. Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians. In this secular Christmas celebration, a mythical figure named Santa Clausplays the pivotal role.Most families have a Christmas Treein their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. TheTrees were first popularised the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, and thought that it would be good to use one of his ways of celebrating Christmas in England.Holly, Ivyand Mistletoeare traditionally the plants sometimes used to decorate British homes and other buildings.On Christmas Day, everyone sits down to the midday feast. It's normally roast turkey, roast vegetables and 'all the trimmings' which means vegetables like carrots peas, stuffing and sometimes bacon and sausages. It's often served with cranberry sauce and bread sauce. ates are often eaten as well!Trifleis also a popular dessert at Christmas. It's made in a large bowl and consists of a layer of sponge cake (or sponge fingers) at the bottom of the bowl (which is often soaked in sherry or brandy) then there's a layer of fruit (normally suspended in a fruit flavored jelly) and it's topped with a layer of custard and then whipped cream.The dinner table is decorated with a Christmas Crackerwhich is a paper-covered tube. When the end tabs are pulled, there is a loud crack. Out spills a paper hat to wear at dinner, small trinkets, and a riddle to read aloud to everyone at the table.The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. This day has nothing to do with fighting. Long ago, people filled church alms boxes with donations for the poor. Then on December 26, the boxes were distributed. Now people often use this day to give small gifts of money to the mail carrier, news vendor, and others who have helped them during the year. Listening for information. Children in the USA write the letters to Father Christmas and ... send them to the president put them into the mail box toss them into the fire toss them out of the window Children in Britain write letters to Father Christmas and ... toss them into the fire put them into the mail box go with them to the shopping mall give them to parents Where do the British children hang their stockings? near the fireplace near their bed near the fridge near the balcony The British leave milk and cookies for Santa. True False A Christmas Cracker is ... cookies you eat with cheese brightly decorated cardboard tube filled with fun prizes cookies Mrs Santa makes for kids Inside the Christmas Cracker you might find: a small cookie, a toy car and a letter a cake, some nuts and a valuable present a cheesy plastic prize, a paper crown and a terrible joke a paper crown, a Christmas pudding and a sticker Christmas hats are the reason of ... 90% of Christmas arguments 10% of Monopoly games British families looking silly The British at Christmas dinner eat until they can't .... run move sleep sea each other The British people after Christmas dinner watch telly until... electricity finishes neighbours knock at the door they pass out everyone is happy The Royal Christmas message is ... a letter everyone get from the king a speech made by the Queen about what has happened during the previous year an sms that everyone gets on the mobile from the royal family a Merry Christmas wish from the Prime minister A boxing Day is ... a day after Christmas when people get boxes of presents mainly shopping nowadays a day when boxes are for free at all shops of Britain Reading. Traditions in other parts of the world. Christmas around the world(Joyeux Noël) FRANCEPère Noël is accompanied by Père Fouettard ( he has a book with children's behaviour records), who brings presents only to good kids. Children put their shoes by the fire place to get gifts. People have dinner at midnight on December 24 (le Réveillon) with a cake called La Bûche de Noël.Frohe Weihnachten) GERMANYChildren count the days until Christmas with an Advent calendar. They also write letters to St. Nicholas asking for presents (December 6). Christmas Eve is the most important time of the Christmas season for families. Some even say it is a magical night when animals can speak. The wonderful tradition of the Christmas tree, which started in Germany, is the heart of the celebration.(Glædelig Jul) DENMARKDanish people celebrate Christmas Eve with a special rice pudding in which a single almond is hidden. Whoever finds the almond will have good luck for the coming year. Julemanden arrives in a sleigh drawn by reindeer and a sack over his back. He is assisted with his Yuletide chores by the Elf called Juul Nisse, who lives in the attic.Most people in Scandinavian countries honour St. Lucia on December 13. Traditionally, the eldest daughter in each family gets up early and wakes each of her family members, dressed in a long, white gown with a red ribbon and a crown made of twigs with nine lighted candles. Jul Tomten (Father Christmas), visits houses in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.Feliz Navidad) MEXICOThey celebrate Christmas for nine days with Las Pastorelas. People dress as Mary and Joseph walking from house to house asking if Mary may stay the night. Then, they are invited in for a party with food, songs, and a Piñata (similar to British crackers) filled with all kinds of sweets.(メリークリスマス) JAPANIn Japan there is a god or priest known as Hoteiosho, who closely resembles our Santa Claus. He is always pictured as a kind old man carrying a huge pack. He is thought to have eyes in the back of his head. Children must be good when this all-seeing gentleman is abroad.(Merry Christmas) AUSTRALIASanta's sleigh is pulled by eight white kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors and is followed by a visit to the beach or a game of cricket. After reading and listening for information, finish the sentences:Write only short answers! 1. In Sweden, the Christmas season begins on December 13, the feast day of St. Lucia. On this day it is traditional for the eldest daughter in every family to…2. At Christmas Mexican parents allow children to break a ...3. What animals pull Santa’s sleigh in Australia?4. When and where is Boxing Day celebrated?5. Where do American children hang their Christmas stockings?6. Where is Father Christmas known as Père Noël?7. Who accompanies Père Noël with a book in which each child's behaviour is recorded?8. Who is said to have eyes at the back of his head?9. Where people leave carrots, hay and water outside their houses on December 6.?10. Where did the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree start? Write in 5 sentences your best memory from Christmas or new Year.