What is Christmas?
Max: Thanks for coming over for dinner, Himari.
Himari: I’m excited. I’ve never celebrated Christmas before.
Max: Never!? Do you know the story of Christmas?
Himari: No.
Max: Do you want to hear it?
Himari: Sure!
Max: A long time ago… Mary was pregnant with Jesus. Her husband, Joseph, was from Bethlehem and they had to travel there together… because the emperor called a census. That’s like when the teacher takes the register, but for the whole country! But when they got to Bethlehem, the only place to stay was where the animals slept. When Mary gave birth to Jesus she laid him in a manger!
Himari: With the animals!?
Max: Yep! Now Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birthday. It happens on the 25th of December every year. And the four weeks leading up to it are called Advent. Each Sunday, we light one of the candles on the Advent wreath at church.
Himari: And then on Christmas day you get presents?
Max: Yep! It’s the best! Christmas is a happy time because we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus. We get presents to remember the three presents the wise men gave him, we eat special foods, and we sing Christmas carols all to remember his birth. We also put up decorations like Christmas trees and fairy lights.
Himari: It always looks so nice when the Christmas lights go up.
Christmas is a Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe to be the Son of God.
When is Christmas?
Christmas is celebrated each year on 25 December (7 January for Orthodox Christians).
What is the story of Christmas?
Jesus was born to a woman called Mary who was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter in the town of Nazareth in Galilee.
Mary was visited by an angel who told her that she would give birth to a baby called Jesus. Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Joseph and Mary had travelled there to take part in a census which the Roman rulers had ordered.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem the local inn was full with people returning for the census. The innkeeper let them stay in the rock cave below his house which was used as a stable for animals. It was here that Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Jesus was visited by three wise men from the East who had followed a star to Bethlehem. The wise men presented Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. An angel also guided some poor shepherds to see the birth. For Christians this shows that Jesus came for all people of all backgrounds.
Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Inn | A place that provides food and shelter for travellers. |
| Census | A count of the number of people who live in a certain place. |
| Frankincense | A substance that comes from a tree. It is burned to produce a pleasant smell. It is used in religious ceremonies. |
| Myrrh | A substance that comes from a tree. It is also burned to produce a pleasant smell. It is used in religious ceremonies. |
Activity: Complete the puzzle
How is Christmas celebrated?
The story of Jesus's birth (also known as the nativity) is often retold by children taking part in nativity plays.
Christian church services at Christmas include carol singing. These are happy songs which tell the Christmas story. Some Christians start Christmas Day with a midnight communion service (also called a midnight mass).
Christmas dinners are also an important part of the celebrations. Families and friends will share food together, eating traditional foods, such as turkey, mince pies and Christmas puddings.
Christmas in pictures
Image caption, Nativity plays
In the UK many primary schools will put on nativity plays. Children dress as Joseph and Mary, as well as shepherds, wise men, angels and animals to tell the story of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.
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Christingle
Over the Christmas period, many Christian churches hold special services where children light candles stuck into oranges. These special candles are called Christingles.
Click on the picture below to see what the various parts of the Christingle mean to Christians.
What is Advent?
Advent is the period which leads up to Christmas. It starts on the Sunday nearest to Saint Andrew's Day (30 November).
Many Advent customs involve counting the days until Christmas begins. Children will often be given advent calendars to mark the days that have passed.
Some churches have an advent wreath with four candles, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. Some wreaths will have another candle in the centre to mark Christmas Day itself.
Advent calendar. document
This December, count down the days until Christmas yourself by crossing the days off our downloadable advent calendar.
Activity: Thinking points
Have a look at the thinking points below. You can discuss them with somebody else if you want to. There are no right or wrong answers so remember to be respectful if somebody else has a different thought or opinion.
- If you could give something to someone who is less fortunate than you this Christmas, what would you give and why?
- How can we show kindness to others during the Christmas season, not just with presents but with our actions?
- Why do you think Christmas is a time for giving to others? What does it mean to give without expecting anything in return?
Christmas Quiz
Where next?
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