Merry Christmas

No one knows exactly when Jesus Christ was born but the church decided, in the fourth century, to celebrate his birthday on this date. Christmas preparations start many weeks before 25 december. Presents have to be bought and Christmas cards sent. The story of Jesus' birth is well known to every schoolchild. His mother , MArry, was visiting the town of Bethlehem with her husband Joseph. There were so many people in the town that they coudn't find anywhere to stay. The night was very dark and cold. One man felt sorry for them because Marry was close to giving birth. He let them sleep in his stable with the animals and so the baby Jesus was born in the stable. During
december , primary school have plays acting out this story. The Shepherds some to see Jesus and three wise man bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Usually, every child in the class plays a part., even if it is only a cow or a donkey.
There are special songs we sing at Christmas called Christmas carol, and many churches hold caral services. Some people like to sing carols in church and others prefer the open air. Groups of carol singers sometimes sing outside houses, then knock at the doors for gifts of money. Or, if they want to sing around a Christmas tree, they can go to Trafalgar Square in London. Every year, the people of Norway send an enormous spruce tree which stands in Trtafalgar Square. On the days leading up to Christmas, lots of carols are so sung there.
Branches of holly and mistletoe are Tra***ional Christmas decorations. the holly has shiny greenleaves with sharp edges and bright red berries. It symbolises a welcome for visittors to the house. Mistletoe has white berries which grow in pairs to symbolise love. This is why we hang it up high at Chriostmas. then we can ask for a kiss under the mistletoe.
In the middle of the nineteenthcentury, Qeen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, intraoduced the Chritmas treeto Britain. He was German and the tra***ion was well-established in that country. we decorate the tree with coloured lights and shiny balls, called baubles. We also decorate the house with Christmas decorations of shiny coloured paper made into pretty shapes.
The day before Christmas is called Christmas Eve and children always find it difficult to get to sleep on this night. This is the time Father Christmas flies over the houses in his sleigh. A sleigh is normal used for travelling over snow and his sleigh is pulled by six reindeer. But these reindeer can fly! Father Christmas climbs down every chimney and leaves the children their presents. Even in houses that haven't got a chimney , he still succeeds in leaving their presents for them to find on Christmas. When Christmas morning comes, many families are awake very early so that the children can see what Father Christmas has left for them.
Christmas Dinner is always a big meal. Before we can start eating, we usually pull a christmas cracker with someone else . A cacker is m,ade of coloured paper and makes a noise when it is pulled . Inside, there is a paper hat, a joke and a small object. This could be a toy , or something useful - like a plastic rainhat! Christmas Dinner is usually roast turkey of goose but before the Twentieth century, beef was more common. Christmas pudding follows , which is made of dried fruits, spices, nuts, sugar, suet, eggs,flour and brandy. Many years ago , cooks did not have fresh fruit at this time of year , which was why this sort of pudding was made. Just before eatingit, we put a small piece of holly opn top, pour brandy over it and set fire to it. At tea_time, we eat mince oies, made of pastry and mincemeat (dried fruit, suet nad brandy) and in the evening we watch television or play games.