CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Christmas is probably the most festive time of the year, a season of gift-giving and celebration. We all know that Christmas is a religious holiday, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ. But did you also know that some of the traditions are adapted from rituals dating back to a time before Christianity? Many pagan peoples regarded the winter solstice as a time of celebration. Anticipating the return of spring, people decorated their homes with evergreen plants, a symbol of eternal life. Mistletoe was especially popular, as it was believed to have magic powers. People hung sprigs of mistletoe in their homes and kissed beneath them as a gesture of friendship. At pagan festivals there was also a lot of singing and dancing going on dancing in a circle is the original meaning of the word carol. Still now we keep these traditions up: we sing Christmas carols and dance around in circles, we kiss beneath the mistletoe and we decorate our homes with Christmas trees. By the way, did you know that it was a German who set the trend of decorating Christmas trees in England? It was Prince Albert, Queen Victorias husband. When he moved to England, Christmas trees had already been popular in continental Europe, but not in England. In 1841, Prince Albert put up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle. The event was reported in the press; and as the whole country was very keen on the royal family, people enthusiastically took up the custom of decorating a tree at Christmas. In English speaking countries, children dont get their presents on Christmas Eve (24 December). Santa comes at night when everyone is asleep. Santas reindeer can fly and take him from house to house. They land on the roofs of the houses and then Santa climbs down the chimney to leave the presents under the Christmas tree. In the morning of Christmas Day (25 December), children usually get up very early to unwrap their presents. Then they have plenty of time to play with their new toys. Christmas dinner is served in the early afternoon. Most people eat turkey and sprouts and a Christmas pudding. 26 December is called Boxing Day. It hasnt always been a holiday. People used to go back to work on that day where their bosses gave them little Christmas presents in small boxes. Thats why the day is

called Boxing Day.

Silent Night
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born. Silent night, holy night! Son of God loves pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face. With dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Had a very shiny nose, And if you ever saw it, You could even say it glows. All of the other reindeer Used to laugh and call him names; They never let poor Rudolph Join in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say: Rudolph with your nose so bright, Wont you guide my sleigh tonight? Then how the reindeer loved him As they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Youll go down in history.

O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! How are thy leaves so verdant! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How are thy leaves so verdant! Not only in the summertime, But even in winter is thy prime. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How are thy leaves so verdant! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure doth thou bring me! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure doth thou bring me! For every year the Christmas tree, Brings to us all both joy and glee. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure doth thou bring me! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Thy candles shine out brightly! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Thy candles shine out brightly! Each bough doth hold its tiny light, That makes each toy to sparkle bright. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Thy candles shine out brightly!

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum. So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum, When we come. Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum Thats fit to give our King, pa rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum. Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum, On my drum. Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum. Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum, Me and my drum.