2. 1.The picture shows a typical winter scene in a cold part of
the United States. Do you like this type of winter weather? Tell
why or why not. 3. Before You Read 2. The winter holidays are
special for many people. What holidays are celebrated at this time
of year? Christian All Saints Day Advent Saint Nicholas'
DayJewishHindu Hanukkah Diwali Tu Bishvat Pancha Ganapati Purim
Bhaubeej Christmas Saint Stephen Holy Innocents' DayChinese Feast
of the Circumcision Signature of the Constitution of the Republic
of China Feast of Fools Chinese New Year Saint Sylvester's Day
Watch Night 4. Some things help to make December the most festive
month of year : 5. Santa Claus Snowmen 6. Bright lights Colorful
decorations Bells 7. Some traditional songs : - Jingel Bell - Santa
Claus Is Coming To Town - We Wish You A Merry Christmas 8. Why do
they feel so good ? 9. Its gift giving time, party time and
vacation time. Students from elementary school through college have
about 2 weeks vacation, beginning shortly before Christmas and
ending soon after New Years Day. 10. Many families go away for the
holidays to visit relatives, ski in the mountains, or sunbathe on
the beaches in the South. 11. Others can stay home 12. Christianity
: The major religious belief in the U.S The Western Hemisphere and
the world2 billion Christians 13. Christianity is based upon
teachings and life of Jesus Christ Jesus means savior or help of
God Christ means anointed one 14. They believe in Jesuss ideas of
equalitycaring for the weak and needy generosity forgivenesslove
and kindness 15. They also believe that Jesus Christ Is the Son of
God Born to the Virgin Mary Was sent to the Earth to save human
race 16. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in ancient Judea . The year
A.D.1 is supposed to be the year of his birth. A.D. = (anno Domini
), B.C. = (before Christ)However, he was born several years
earlier. Christians have celebrated his birth on December 25 since
the 4th century. 17. In the U.S., the spirit of Christmas arrives
at least a month before the holiday itself. 18. Street lights and
store windows begin to display the traditional Christmas colors,
red and green. 19. Santa Claus, angels, shepherd and Nativity
scenes appear in shop windows. 20. Winter scene with snowmen,
sleds, skaters and skiers decorate greeting cards and store
windows. 21. The manufacture and sale of Christmas items is big
business. Stores depend on Christmas shoppers for about one-fourth
of their annual sales. Christmas is often very expensive. 22. 86%
of American are Christians December 25 is both a religious and a
legal holiday Most businesses are closed on Christmas Day 23. They
enjoy the commercial aspects of Christmas Most of them are at home
and in church 24. Many families go to church on Christmas Eve or
Christmas morning 25. After services, they gather around the tree
and open their gifts 26. Then they enjoy a traditional Christmas
dinner 27. turkeyham 28. Sweet potatoes 29. cranberry sauce 30.
fruit cake 31. Plum pudding 32. Mince pie 33. Christmas customs 34.
Most of the Christmas customs that Americans enjoys today are
variations of traditions brought here by European immigrants. 35.
Exchange gifts The first Christmas gifts were birthday gifts that
the three Wise Men brought to the infant Jesus. 36. Who are three
Wise Men? 37. Three gifts that three Wise Men brought to the infant
Jesus are Gold Frankincense Myrrh 38. Exchange gifts The first
Christmas gifts were birthday gifts that the three Wise Men brought
to the infant Jesus. In the U.S., it is customary to exchange gifts
with family members and close friends. 39. Receiving Toys from
Santa Claus American children believe that on Christmas Eve, Santa
Claus slides down their chimney to bring them gifts. Santa Claus
flies through the air in a sleigh (a fancy sled ) pulled by eight
reindeer. 40. Several days or weeks before Christmas, children tell
Santa what toys they want by writing him letters or visiting him in
a local department store. 41. Santa Claus is a fat, jolly man who
wears a red suit and has a long white beard.white bread 42. Where
did this legend come from? Santa Claus is the American name for St.
Nicholas, a generous fourth-century bishop who lived in what is now
Turkey. It was his custom to go out at night and bring gifts to the
poor. 43. After his death, his fame spread throughout Europe. Dutch
immigrants brought the idea of St. Nicholas, whom they called
Sinter Klaas. In U.S., the name was mispronounced and final changed
to Santa Claus. In nineteenth-century, American artists and authors
changed St.Nicks appearance and created the roly-poly man in red
that we know today. 44. Hanging stockings As in Great Britain,
American children hang stockings hoping that Santa will fill them
with candy and toys 45. Traditionally, stockings were hung near the
fire-place Today, children hang them wherever they think Santa will
see them. 46. Decorating the Home with Holiday Plants 47. Branches
of fir or spruce were thought to bring good luck and guarantee the
return of spring.The early Germans believed that in winter, evil
spirits killed plants and trees and caused green leaves and flowers
to disappear.Bringing evergreens into their homes was supposed to
protect them from death.Star on top represents the star in the East
that guided the three Wise Men to Bethlehem. 48. The custom of
decorating trees : Started in the 16th century in German Spread
Europe and the U.S. in the 19th century Appear in about 2/3 of
American homesAmericans spend about $460 million buying Christmas
trees 49. strings of colored lightscolored glass balls 50. In
ancient times, mistletoe was hung over doorways for good luck.
Today the custom continues, but now it is for fun. 51. Anyone
standing under the mistletoe is supposed to get kissed. 52.
poinsettia Star-shaped red leaves symbolize the holiday This plant
is native to central American and Mexico. Appear in about 2/3 of
American homes 53. It was named after Joel R.Pointsett the first
U.S. ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829) An amateur botanist brought
the plant back with him when he returned to the U.S 54. Going
caroling In the early days of the Christian Church, the bishops
sang carols on Christmas Day. Many Americans go caroling and
walking with friends from house to house singing the traditional
holiday songs. 55. Sending Christmas Cards The custom of sending
Christmas cards began in London in 1843 and came to the U.S. in
1875. Today, most Americans send dozens of seasons greetings cards
to relatives, friends, and the business associates. 56. Attending
Traditional Christmas Theatrical Productions . Americans of all
religions enjoy performances of three traditional Christmas works.
Messiah The Nutcracker A Christmas Carol 57. Messiah is an oratorio
written by the German composer George Frederick Handel and
performed by a chorus, orchestra, and solo singers. 58. The
Nutcracker is a classic work that performed during the Christmas
season - the Russian composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovskys ballet. 59.
A Christmas Carol is a story written by the 19th century English
author Charles Dickens. It is traditionally performed as a play and
tells the tale of a man named Ebenezer Scrooge. 60. Happy Hanukkah!
61. In 168 B.C, the Syrian king force the Jews to worship pagan
gods.3 years later, the Jews defeated the Syrian armiesThe light of
the eternal lamp in their holy temple burned for 8 days instead of
1 day miraculously 62. Hanukkah- Festival of Lights - In December -
This holiday celebrate the triumph of religious freedom - Jews
celebrate Hanukkah for 8 days 63. Light candle in a special holder
called Menorah 64. What does Hanukkah celebrate? - This holiday
celebrates the triumph of religious freedom. 65. An African
FestivKwanza 66. Kwanza means first fruits of harvest in Swahili.
Celebrated by AfricanAmerican, along with Africans in many other
countries. Developed in the U.S.A. in 1966. Provides an opportunity
for African-Americans to reestablish their links to an African past
and their connections to their contemporary community .Originate
67. Begins on December 26 and lasts for 7 days Each day is
dedicated to discussion of one of these principles: unity,
self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative
economics, purpose, creativity, and faith 68. -Dress in African
clothing-Dress in African clothing 69. Peanut soupJollof riceKishk
70. -Includes musical and dance performances. -Kwanza customs
include lighting candles and exchanging gifts, especially handmade
ones 71. Where did Kwanza originate?AfricaAsiaAmericaEurope 72.
"Ring out the old, ring in the new." (Alfred - Lord Tennyson) 73.
New Year's Eve is a time for noise and fun. It lasts until 2 or 3
o'clock in the morning.Most Americans drink and dine with 74. eggs,
milk or cream, nutmeg and sugar. 75. Champagne - the drink that
symbolizes a celebration. 76. At midnight, bells ring, horns blow,
friends toast 77. Its also customary to exchange kisses 78.
Everyone celebrates the disappearance of old Father Time, replaced
by the baby 79. of New Year's Day. This is often a white male baby
dressed in a diaper, a hat and a sash. Baby New Year grows up and
ages in a single year. At the end of the year he is an old man and
hands his role 80. New York City's Times Square has the most
crowded New Year's Eve celebration. 81. Since 1907, the famous
ball-lowering ceremony has been a holiday highlight. The huge,
1070pound lighted crystal ball began its descent from a 77-foot
flagpole at 11:59 P.M and reached the bottom at exactly midnight.
82. Simultaneously, confetti, balloons, and fireworks brightened
the night sky. 83. New YorkmidnightChicagoThe new year arrives
earlier in the east than in other parts of the country.11 p.m.
Denver10 p.m. Los Angeles 9 p.m. 84. WHAT DO AMERICAN DO ON NEW
YEARS DAY ? Sleeping late Watching spectacular parades and football
games between champion college teams on TV. 85. New Year 's customs
have been connected with saying good-bye to the past and looking
forward to a better future. To start new programs and give up bad
habits. To talk about "turning over a new leaf" 86. To make New
Year's resolutions 87. The theme of the New Year's holiday has not
changed much, but the date of it has been changed many times. The
ancient Egyptians: September 21 The ancient Greeks: June 21 The old
Roman: March 1 88. Chinese and Jewish New years Holidays 89.
ChineseAmericans celebrate the New year holiday established by
Chinas ancient lunar more than 4000 years ago. The 15-day Chinese
New Year begins with Yuan tan and the festival of Lanterns. 90.
Chinatown sections in major American cities look very festive, with
paper and glass lanterns decorating the houses and colorful marches
parading in the streets. 91. Rosh Hashanah is the traditional
Jewish New Year It occurs in September or October. It a very solemn
holiday, making the beginning of 10 days set aside for
selfappraisal, repentance, and promises to be a better person in
the coming year. 92. Rosh Hashanah meals usually include apples and
honey, to symbolize a sweet new year. 93. To American, the closing
of one calendar year and the opening of another is a time for fun
and reflection, a time to look both ways, to review the past with
nostalgia and look forward to the future with hope.
