Symbols of Christmas

1. Symbols of Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_634501&v=vqDnT2yj3Hw&feature=iv

2. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. • One of the main symbols of Christmas is holly. • Holly is an evergreen. • Evergreens that produce berries in winter have magical powers. • Mistletoe is a plant. • Mistletoe bears fruit during the Christmas season. • Mistletoe is hung up in our homes. • People meet under the mistletoe and kiss. • Presents are a symbol of Christmas. • The giving of presents comes from the Christian tradition. • Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

3. The word "Christmas" originated as "Christ's mass". It is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ This feast closes the Advent season. Christmas is a holiday in many nations. The precise day of Jesus’ birth, which historians place between 7 and 2 BC, is unknown. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving and the hanging of Christmas stockings, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal and various deserts, and the display of various decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, garlands and wreaths, mistletoe, nativity scenes, Advent calendars and candles, and holly. Several figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Kris Kringle, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season The economic impact of Christmas has grown over the past few centuries.

4. CHRISTMAS Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary as a fulfillment of the Old Testament's Messianic prophecy. The word "Christmas" originated as "Christ's mass". It is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This feast closes the Advent season. Christmas is a holiday in many nations. The precise day of Jesus’ birth, which historians place between 7 and 2 BC, is unknown. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving and the hanging of Christmas stockings, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal and various deserts, and the display of various decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, garlands and wreaths, mistletoe, nativity scenes, Advent calendars and candles, and holly. The economic impact of Christmas has grown over the past few centuries. Food A special Christmas family meal is an important part of the holiday's celebration. In England a standard Christmas meal includes turkey or goose, meat, gravy, potatoes, vegetables, sometimes bread and cider. Special desserts are also prepared, such as Christmas pudding, mince pies and fruit cake. In eastern Europe fish is used for the traditional main course. Beef, ham and chicken in various recipes are popular throughout the world. In northern countries oranges have long been associated with special Christmas foods. Cards Christmas cards are illustrated messages of greeting exchanged between friends and family members during the weeks preceding Christmas Day. The traditional greeting reads "Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". Nowadays many people tend to exchanging E-cards. Gift giving The exchanging of gifts is a core aspect of the modern Christmas celebration. It is associated with the gifts of gold, frankincense [fraenkinsens] and myrrh [mrrr], which were given to the infant Jesus by the Biblical Magi [maejdžáj]. Legendary gift-bringing figures Saint Nicholas is considered to be the original Santa Claus. A number of figures have been associated with Christmas and the giving of gifts: Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, Père Noël, and the Weihnachtsmann; the Christkind; and Father Frost.

5. The Christmas Story http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kWq60oyrHVQ Jak to vidí děti