Christmas

About Christmas:

Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and has been celebrated on December 25, since 354 A.D It refers to the day celebrating his birth, as well as to the season which concludes with the Feast of the Epiphany. The date of December 25 is traditional, and is not considered to be Christ’s actual birth, which was more likely to be between March and May, but it is impossible to know for sure.

Christmas is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ and Xmas is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.

The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day in 800. Around the 12th century, the remnants of the former Saturnalia traditions of the Romans were transferred to the Twelve Days of Christmas (25 December – 5 January). Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival, incorporating ivy, holly, and other evergreens, as well as gift-giving.

Modern traditions have come to include the display of Nativity scenes, holly and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Popular Christmas themes include the promotion of goodwill and peace.

Fun Facts:

• Although nominally a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday by many non-Christians.
• The Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6.
• Eastern Orthodox Churches that still use the Julian Calendar celebrate Christmas on the Julian version of 25 December, which is January 7
• The word Christmas originated as a contraction of "Christ's mass".
• Santa Claus, also called Saint Nick, started in Europe from a generous man called Saint Nicholas.
• Christmas is celebrated by 96% of the population in the United States.
• The modern Santa Claus has a leather belt and wears red and white.
• Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states.
• Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882.
• The government ban tinsel at one time as it contained lead. Now it’s made of plastic.

Activities:

• Learn the Poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
• Go caroling
• Make Christmas cards and send to friends and family
• Bake Christmas cookies
• Make ornaments
• Watch holiday movies: The Grinch, Rudolph, A Christmas Story