THE COLOURS OF CHRISTMAS

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If you look at the pictures, you will realize that there are some colours which appear in all the symbols related to Christmas. Can you see what colours I am talking about? Do you know what they represent ?

RED is the colour that is considered the greatest excitement, and is also the colour of the month December. As the religious symbol it stands for fire, blood and charity.

GREEN is the symbol for nature, youth and the hope of eternal life. It is for this reason that Christmas is a feast of hope, with a newborn child as its central symbol.

WHITE is the religious symbol which stands for light, purity, joy and glory. White is seen in the robes of Christmas angels, in Santa's beard and suit trimmings, as well as in Christmas snow and snow flakes.

Do you know how to say ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ in other languages ?

Arabic: Milad Majid
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Brazilian: Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
or Zalig Kerstfeast
French: Joyeux Noel
German: Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Portuguese:Feliz Natal

Do you know any other ?

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ACTIVITY - PROJECT 8

Do you celebrate these traditions ???

In pairs decide which of the following British traditions are also celebrated in your country and which are different. Then, in a Word document, write about the traditions that you celebrate at Christmas. Then, hand it in to your teacher :

• Before Christmas groups of singers go from house to house singing traditional carols and collecting money.
• Most people send Christmas cards to other members of their families and to their friends.
• Many homes have a Christmas tree decorated with multicoloured lights and symbols of Christmas.
• On December 24 people go to a church service called ‘midnight mass’
• On December 24 children hang up an old sock at the head of their beds for Father Christmas to fill with presents during the night.
• On December 25 people usually give presents to their family and friends. These presents are arranged around the Christmas tree.
• Christmas dinner usually consists of turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies.
• December 26 is a bank holiday.
• On December 26 many people give annual Christmas gifts to regular callers such as dustmen and paperboys/girls.
• On December 31st parties and dances are held and in many large towns and cities there is a public gathering to ‘see the new Year in’
• January 1st is not marked with any particular custom.
• January 5th is the night when people take down the decorations from the Christmas tree.
• Any others .... ?