Let's talk about Christmas

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem – The first Christmas

Many years ago Mary and Joseph left their hometo travel to Bethlehem. An angel had told Mary that she would have a baby boy. "Call him Jesus", the angel said.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, the town was full of people, and there was no room for them in the small hotels.
One innkeeper said that Mary and Joseph could sleep in his stable.He showed them the way to the field behind the inn and they found a stable there.
There were animals in the stable.
Joseph made a bed for Mary. That night baby Jesus was born.
Far away the Three Wise men saw a bright star in the sky and they knew that a new baby king had been born.
They followed the star for many nights and at last the star stopped over the stable. Inside the stable they found Baby Jesus laying on a bed of hay in a manger. They gave him presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Philipp, Samuel


Christmas in Europe

In Austria the Nikolaus with his helper called Krampuss comes to houses.
In Finland Santa is called Joulupukki, in Norway Julenissen and in France Pere Noel. In Italy a white witch called La Bafana comes on January 6ht.
In England people say that Santa Claus comes with a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
He lands on the roof and then climbs through the chimney into the house. In Holland they say Santa Claas to Santa Claus. He arrives with a ship from Spain.
He has a helper on his side. This helper is called Black Peter.
Santa Claus comes with a white horse and visits eyery house. That night the good children are left presents and the bold ones get a bunch of sticks.

Franzi, Melanie, Sandra






Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve people go to church at midnignt.
Children hang pillow cases by the chimney.
Some of them believe Santa Claus will come on a reindeer-sleigh.
He brings comes down the chimney and puts the presents below the Christmas Tree.
The next morning children open their parcels.
At Christmas Dinner people eat a stuffed turkey.
For dessert they have Christmas pudding.
After dinner people often pull crackers with jokes and little presents in it.
Every year the Queen records a message and people watch it on TV.

Sebastian


The first crib

St. Francis of Assisi made the tradition of the Christmas crib. He wanted all people to know the story of the birth of Jesus.
In Italy in a church they built the first life-sized crib. There was even a real cow. The tradition spread from Italy all over the world. After the death of St. Francis, Italian monks kept the custom. In France, the crib is called the 'Creche', in Germany it is called 'Krippe' and in Italy it is called 'Presepio'.

Andrea, Stefanie, Alexandra


Reindeer

Santa's Reindeer have magic powers and can fly with Santa and his sleigh.
Reindeer have thick fur with hollow hairs which help them against the cold.
They are like other deer, but the females also have antlers.
Reindeer are usud to shovel away the snow to get food.

Daniela




Christmas in Austria

In Austria the Christ Child, the 'Christkindl brings the presents on Christmas Eve and puts them below the Christmas Tree. The rooms are decorated with fir-twigs. People in Austria have real fir trees. People decorate the Christmas Tree with candles, straw stars, small bells and chocolate and sweets. They also put up a crib with the Holy Family. They sing Christmas carols and then open their presents. Some families go to church at midnight to celebrate the mass (Christmette). When they come home they eat noodle soup and sausages.

Michael




The Christmas Tree

The custom of decorating a Christmas tree comes from Germany.
St. Boniface wanted that people in Germany fallowed Jesus.
One winter he cut down on oak tree.
When he did this, a little green fir tree began to grow on this place.
That was a sign of hope for the future.
From then on people in Europe began to decorate Christmas trees.

Anna & Anna

Christmas in England and Austria

The English like beautiful Christmas music. They also love to decorate Christmas trees. One English custom is mumming. In the Middle Ages, people called mummers, put on masks on and acted out Christmas plays. Father Christmas brings the presents. He wears a long red or green robe and leaves presents in stockings on Christmas Eve. The gifts are usually not opened until the following afernoon. Chirstmas in England began in 596. The feast of St.Nicholas marks the beginning of Christmas in Austria.The Saint accompanied by the devil, asks children about their good and bad deeds. Good cildren are given sweets, toys and nuts. Gifts are placed under the Christmas Tree and are opened after dinner on Christmas Eve. Musicians play carol music near churches on brass instruments and carol singers with lanterns go from house to house and collect money for charity.

Monika, Chiara

X-mas

People buy Christmas presents and houswives prepare Everything for Christmas. They make Christmas pudding many weeks before Christmas and keep it until Christmas day. Fathers decorate houses with lights. In December people do Christmas shopping. School finishes on December 23rd. Young people go from house to house singing carols and collecting money for charity. Some men disguised as Santa Claus walk around in and near shopping centres give the children small presents.

Bernhard, Nikolaus

The days after Christmas

There is no puplic transport on Christmas Day.
On Boxing day ( December 26th) people go out and visit friends and relatives. They also go to the theatre or watch sports. British students go back to school again two weeks after Christmas. New Year's Day (January 1st)is a public holiday in the UK and some families celebrate New Year's Eve (December 31st) with parties. People stay up until after midnight, drink and sing. They often sing the traditional song Auld Long Syne.

Mihriban