Christmas and Hanukkah The Holiday Season

Starting Questions 1.What is Christmas? Have you ever heard any stories about Christmas before? Share. 2. What do people do to celebrate Christmas? 3. Have you ever celebrated Christmas? How? 4.Have you ever heard of Hanukkah? 5.What are Jews?

The Origin of Christmas Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that remembers the birth of Jesus. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season. Although traditionally a Christian holiday, Christmas is widely celebrated by many non-Christians.

Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, Christmas carols, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Santa Claus is a popular figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.

Christmas Trees The Christmas tree is either a decorated artificial Christmas tree, or a natural Christmas tree and is a popular tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. A Christmas tree is decorated with Christmas lights and colourful ornaments during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

What is the Festival of Light? Hanukkah, is an eight-day Jewish holiday remembering the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights. The festival is observed by the lights of a special candelabrum, the nine- branched Menorah, one light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night.

Vocab. List 1.Hanukkah- 光明節 8. artificial- 人工的 2.origin- 根源 9. ornaments- 裝飾 3.annual- 每年的 10. candelabrum - 分枝燭臺 4.traditionally- 傳統 5.customs- 習俗 6.mistletoe- 7.decorated- 裝飾