To learn and share: All about Christmas

Christmas is coming almost all over the world and some words are very typical from this season. So let's check some of them:

1 - First, we have to remember that above the delicious Christmas' family supper, Christmas is a Christian holiday, then:

THE HISTORY:

a) Christmas - The annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas Day is on 25 December), He was born in the city of Bethlehem, a small town in the Middle East believed to be his the birthplace. We usually make a Nativity scene in our houses, with figures to represent: Holly Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus laying down on a manger. The magi were the three wise men from the East who brought gifts (Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh).

b) Christmas Carols - a religious song or popular hymn that people sing at Christmas.

There are many famous Christmas songs, in this playlist, you can listen to some of them:

2 - Trimming the tree - Some people like to gather all the family in order to make their Christmas tree, we usually use Christmas lights, ornaments and at the top of it, goes the star. Traditionally we also put the gifts under the tree and by the door, a Christmas wreath.

3 - At this time of the year, we all live through the Christmas spirit, and celebrate at work, school and home with the popular Secret Santa. Along with the gift, we can also give a Christmas card.

4 - In many countries, Christmas is a cold season, with snow (water vapor from the sky that falls as white flakes and covers the group) and it's very common children go out and make snow man, play with snow balls, slides in sleighs. And also, the clothes are warmer.

5 - Christmas Food - Family get together on December 24 in the evening for the Christmas supper , in many countries, people have turkey, egg-nog (a traditional Christmas drink made of alcohol with beaten eggs and milk), gingerbread cookie.

This video presents us with English Vocabulary about Christmas food, it's excellent! Check it out:

6 - Santa Claus - Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas and simply "Santa", is a figure with legendary, mythical, historical of many western cultures that visit the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24. He rides on a sleigh with reindeer.

7 - Some people like to spend Christmas at home, with family and friends. So, music and sometimes movies are a good way to have fun:

a) Christmas Movies:

Die Hard - 1988 - OK, it's an action movie, but Christmas spirit is all over John McClane (Bruce Willis) when he decided to save his wife from a group of terrorists. And it finishes with a classic Frank Sinatra song: Let it snow.

Home Alone - 1990, we all know, laugh and have fun with Macaulay Culkin, who is left alone by his family by accident and now he has to defend his home from thieves.

A Christmas Carol - 2009 - the classic novel written by Charles Dickens about a miser (perfect Jim Carey), who goes on a journey of self-redemption.

I found a very good list of Christmas movies at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christmas_films.

b) Christmas Songs - A little different from caroling, many famous singers usually release a Christmas album or some Christmas songs:

* LAST CHRISTMAS - By George Michael, but it was also recorded by Ashley Tisdale and it's very nice.