Christmas
December 25th Warm-up
Match word with definition 1
bauble
a) a small hotel
2
census
b) Christmas decoration in the shape of a ball
3 century 4
inn
c) feeling and effect of something d) 100 years
5 nativity
e) a building in which animals are kept
6 manger
f) a feeding box for cows and horses
7
spirit
g) official record of everyone in a country
8
stable
h) the birth of Jesus Christ
The Spirit of Christmas
Background
Is Christmas celebrated everywhere in the world? Perhaps not everywhere. There are probably some tribes in the Amazon rainforest, or in the jungle of Borneo, who do not know about Christmas. And there are many countries where Christmas (or Xmas) is not a holiday, but in most countries people enjoy Christmas time, and images of Santa, reindeer and snowmen can be seen all around. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is not known if December 25th is the true day of Christ's birth, but this is the day that was chosen in the 4th century, and is now a holy day when Christians around the world go to church. There are many customs associated with Christmas: sending cards, decorating the Christmas tree, hanging a Christmas stocking, the traditional meal, and gift-giving. Family members and close friends give gifts to each other. Nowadays children expect several gifts from their parents, and it can be very stressful to find suitable presents for everyone. More money is spent at Christmas than any other time of year. But it is the Christmas spirit which is most important of all; a time of happiness, a time of friendship, and a time of peace. englishteachingmaterial.com
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Trio
AA
BB
CC
Christmas Quiz Answer the questions to find out where it all started
Puzzle
1 The original Santa Claus was a man named Nicholas (later Saint Nicholas) who went around town on Christmas Eve, giving a small gift to each child. Nicholas lived in ...?... A Finland B Turkey C Canada 2 Santa's sleigh is pulled by a team of reindeer. The leading reindeer has a red nose and is known as ...?... D Robert E Rudolph F Randy 3 Many families have a Christmas Tree, either a real fir tree or an artificial tree. The tree is decorated with lights, baubles, tinsel and anything the family wishes. On the top of the tree is placed a ...?... G stocking H star I snowman 4 After the Christmas meal it is time for the Christmas Pudding and ...?... is poured over the pudding before serving. It is then lit and the pudding is covered by a gentle, blue flame for 5 or 10 seconds. J gunpowder K brown sauce L brandy 5 Many traditional songs are sung at Christmas time, like We wish you a Merry Christmas and Silent Night. These songs are known as ...?.... M carols N susans O tweets P dum-di-dums 6 In colder northern countries there can be a lot of snow at Christmas time, and children enjoy building snowmen. In some places snowmen are made from three balls of snow and in others two balls are used. For the snowman's nose children often use a ...?... Q coin R muffin S sausage T carrot
It all started here
qwyerwewt Writing
Write about your plans for Christmas this year.
&
Discuss in a small group.
Discussion
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Step 1
Trio
You have part of the Nativity Story (B & C have the rest of the story)
A
Read the text, and check the meaning.
The Nativity, Joseph's Story Joseph was worried, very worried ......
a
①
when he arrived in Bethlehem.
④
and this baby was the Son of God.
⑦
Joseph lived in Nazareth, but his family originally came from Bethlehem, about 150km to the south,
⑩
Joseph went to every inn, but they were all full.
⑬
In this stable, watched by a cow and a donkey, the Son of God was born,
⑯
Later that night an angel appeared to three shepherds on a hillside,
⑲
They were filled with joy when they saw the baby.
㉒
He must look after and protect the baby Jesus and Mother Mary.
㉕
The star shone above the stable in Bethlehem.
㉘
a special baby who would one day become a king.
㉛
An angel sent a message to Joseph in a dream, telling him to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt.
㉞
and Joseph continued his work as a carpenter, Step 2
d i
j p
With B & C read the story together (the text is in numerical order)
Discuss the points below
a) What are your comments about the birth of Jesus? b) What are your feelings about Christmas Day celebrations? englishteachingmaterial.com
commercial use prohibited
Step 1
Trio
You have part of the Nativity Story (A & C have the rest of the story)
B
Read the text, and check the meaning.
The Nativity, Joseph's Story Joseph was worried, very worried ......
a
②
There was nowhere to stay,
⑤
About 2,000 years ago the Roman emperor ordered a census in all parts of the Roman Empire.
⑧
so he and his wife had traveled for several days by donkey,
⑪
but fortunately a kind innkeeper noticed Mary's condition,
⑭
and placed on straw in a manger.
⑰
and told them a very special baby had just been born in a stable.
⑳
They knew they were looking at the Son of God.
㉓
Some days later there were more visitors.
㉖
The wise men brought gifts and knelt before the Son of God.
㉙
The king did not want any rivals,
㉜
Before sunrise Joseph and his family left the stable and escaped to Egypt.
㉟
and they lived a normal family life,
Step 2
d i j
With A & C read the story together (the text is in numerical order)
Discuss the points below
a) What are your comments about the birth of Jesus? b) What are your feelings about Christmas Day celebrations? englishteachingmaterial.com
commercial use prohibited
p
Step 1
You have part of the Nativity Story (A & B have the rest of the story)
Trio
C
Read the text, and check the meaning.
The Nativity, Joseph's Story Joseph was worried, very worried ......
a
③
and his wife, Mary, was about to have a baby,
⑥
Everyone must register their names in the hometown of their family.
⑨
but Bethlehem was crowded with people who also came to register.
⑫
and showed Joseph a stable behind the inn where they could stay.
⑮
And he was named Jesus.
⑱
The shepherds left their sheep to visit the baby in the stable.
㉑
And Joseph realized his great responsibility.
㉔
Three wise men had traveled from a distant land, following a bright star in the sky.
㉗
Soon the king heard that a baby had been born in Bethlehem,
㉚
so he ordered his soldiers to kill every male baby in Bethlehem.
㉝
Joseph, Mary and Jesus later returned to Nazareth,
㊱
until Jesus reached the age of 30. Step 2
d i
j
With A & B read the story together (the text is in numerical order)
Discuss the points below
a) What are your comments about the birth of Jesus? b) What are your feelings about Christmas Day celebrations? englishteachingmaterial.com
commercial use prohibited
Answer key Warm-up
Match word with definition 1
bauble
b
a) a small hotel
2
census
g
b) Christmas decoration in the shape of a ball
3 century
d
c) feeling and effect of something
a
d) 100 years
5 nativity
h
e) a building in which animals are kept
6 manger
f
f) a feeding box for cows and horses
4
inn
7
spirit
c
g) official record of everyone in a country
8
stable
f
h) the birth of Jesus Christ
Puzzle 1 The original Santa Claus was a man named Nicholas (later Saint Nicholas) who went around town on Christmas Eve, giving a small gift to each child. Nicholas lived in ...?... A Finland B Turkey C Canada
O
2 Santa's sleigh is pulled by a team of reindeer. The leading reindeer has a red nose and is known as ...?... D Robert E Rudolph F Randy
O
3 Many families have a Christmas Tree, either a real fir tree or an artificial tree. The tree is decorated with lights, baubles, tinsel and anything the family wishes. On the top of the tree is placed a ...?... G stocking H star I snowman
O
4 After the Christmas meal it is time for the Christmas Pudding and ...?... is poured over the pudding before serving. It is then lit and the pudding is covered by a gentle, blue flame for 5 or 10 seconds. J gunpowder K brown sauce L brandy
O
5 Many traditional songs are sung at Christmas time, like We wish you a Merry Christmas and Silent Night. These songs are known as ...?.... M carols N susans O tweets P dum-di-dums
O
6 In colder northern countries there can be a lot of snow at Christmas time, and children enjoy building snowmen. In some places snowmen are made from three balls of snow and in others two balls are used. For the snowman's nose children often use a ...?... Q coin R muffin S sausage T carrot
O
It all started here
B E T H L E H E M qwyerwewt
englishteachingmaterial.com
commercial use prohibited
