Christmas Angels as a part of cultural heritage of Ukrainian nation

A The tradition to decorate Christmas tree before New

Year and Christmas holidays traces back to Medieval
Europe. People decorated trees with toys which symbolized
welfare and prosperity for the upcoming year. They hanged
gingerbread cookies and other goodies on the tree branches
to make the next year happy and wealthy. Ukrainians have
their own traditions of Christmas tree decoration which
come from generation to generation and contribute to the
glorious cultural heritage of our nation.

B Every region and every family used to have their own

traditions of Christmas tree decoration. People created toys
for decoration themselves using various household
materials: paper, glass, wood, cotton, foil, cloth, straw and
paste. The most popular were paper chains and snowflakes,
glass balls and garlands, straw dolls, red apples, nuts curled
in foil, candles and Christmas angels made of cloth.

C
Little angels symbolize the bright feast of Jesus
Christ’s birth. According to the Bible it was the angel who brought good news to
Virgin Mary about her Son who would save the whole world. When Jesus was
born in the cave of Bethlehem the angels reported this news to the shepherds
nearby. Thus, handmade Christmas angels decorating New Year tree is the ancient
tradition of Ukrainians.
D
There are various techniques how to make Christmas angels. The easiest ways
are to create them from paper and fabric. You need only some paper, small pieces
of white, blue or pink fabric, scissors and some thread. Paper napkins of various
kind and size can be used instead of cloth. If there is some extra time and desire it
is possible to decorate angel’s dress and wings with white fluff or feathers – it will
give your angel a more festive look. The most creative craftsmen decorate their
Christmas angels with felt, ribbons, necklace pellets and beads.
E It doesn’t matter who created the angel or what material
was used for the toy. They are always handmade and carry a
little part of your soul. Such angels are interactive so children
can take them out from the tree and play. Every cold winter
evening these magic little angels will warm your heart and fill
the house with happiness and joy. Merry Christmas!
Vocabulary:
cultural heritage – культурна спадщина

welfare and prosperity – добробут і процвітання

gingerbread cookies and other goodies – пряники та ласощі

contribute – вносити внесок
foil – фольга
straw – солома
paste – тісто
shepherds – пастухи
ancient – древній
fabric (cloth) – тканина

scissors – ножиці

thread – нитка

napkins – серветки

fluff – пух

feathers – пір’я

festive look – святковий вигляд

felt – фетр (тканина)

ribbons – стрічки

necklace pellets – намистинки

beads – бісер

glue – клей

READING
Pre-reading activities
1. Look at the photos and at the article title and answer the questions:
1. What do the Christmas angels symbolize?
2. What materials did people use to make toys many years ago?
3. What instruments are needed to make such decorations?
While-reading activities
2. Read the text quickly and match headings 1-5 with paragraphs A- E:
1. Tools and techniques
2. A little part of your soul
3. The origin of Christmas decorations
4. Materials for Christmas toys
5. The symbolism of Christmas angels
3. Read the text again and decide if the following statements are true or false:
1. People decorated trees with toys which symbolized welfare and prosperity for the next year.
2. Ukrainians created toys for decoration themselves from paper, glass, metal, plastic and paste.
3. The most popular toys were paper chains, glass balls and garlands, straw dolls, red apples,
nuts curled in foil, candles and Christmas angels made of cloth.
4. Little angels symbolize the bright feast of Jesus Christ’s birth.
5. The easiest way to make Christmas angels is from glass and metal.
6. Such toys are interactive so the children cannot take them away from the tree.
Post-reading activities
4. Complete the sentences with the words and phrases from the text:
welfare and prosperity made of cloth symbolizes fluff feathers beads handmade
1. This decoration ______ light, harmony and happiness.
2. The necklace made of various ______ of different shapes and colors was really incredible.
3. He always took care of ______ ___ _____ of his family.
4. She boasted her handmade little angel _______ __ _____ which had such a festive look.
5. The dressmaker used only natural ______ and ______ for that magnificent white hat.
6. Such ________ souvenirs enjoy wide popularity among tourists.
5. Work in pairs. Discuss these questions:
1. Why do Ukrainian people create Christmas toys themselves?
2. What materials and tools do we need to make a Christmas angel?
3. What other handmade toys can we make?
4. What is the significance of Christmas angels for the cultural heritage
of Ukraine?