What is Christmas?

An introduction
• 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.
Video
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ztkxpv4/articles/
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 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.
 What is a Christingle?
• Over the Christmas period, many Christian churches
hold special services where children light candles
stuck into oranges. These special candles are called
Christingles.
What does a
Christingle
represent?
 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.
 Questions
1) Why is Christmas a special day to Christians?
2) What date every year is Christmas celebrated?
3) Who gave birth to Jesus?
4) List 2 ways that Christmas is celebrated
5) What is advent?
6) Annotate the sheet on the next slide
What does a
Christingle
represent?

Finish each
sentence
 Questions
1) Why is Christmas a special day to Christians? Christmas is a
Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus, who Christians
believe to be the Son of God.
2) What date every year is Christmas celebrated? 25 December (7
January for Orthodox Christians)
3) Who gave birth to Jesus? Mary
4) List 2 ways that Christmas is celebrated. – next slide
5) What is advent? Advent is the period which leads up to Christmas.
6) Annotate the sheet on the next slide – slide after next
Question 4 answer (at least 2 of the 3)
• 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.
Question 6 - What
does a Christingle
represent?