Just a reminder, Oxford House College will be closed on December 25th and January 1st.
What exactly are the holidays for?
Well many students often think that Christmas and New Year’s are the same day, January 1st. This is not true. They are actually separate holidays for much of the English speaking world. Christmas is on December 25th and New Year’s is on January 1st.
What is Christmas?
For Christians, Christmas is a very special day because it is the day that Jesus was born. Christians celebrate his birth by going to church, exchanging gifts, and spending time with family and friends.
For many others, Christmas is simply a time of gift-giving and a chance to spend time with family and friends. It’s also a time when many people go shopping crazy (more crazy shoppers) or spend a lot of time decorating their houses for the season.
In America, Britain, and Australia Santa Clause flies around the world on his sleigh towed by 12 reindeer (see above picture) on Christmas. He brings presents to all the boys and girls who have been good that year.
In Slovakia baby Jesus brings the gifts through the window. When he leaves, he rings a bell to let the family know their presents have arrived.
In Greece families put out a bowl of water and basil to protect against bad spirits called Killantzaroi. Greeks actually exchange gifts on January 1st.
In Russia people celebrate Christmas on January 7th because of a difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Even though Christmas was banned under Communist rule, the holiday has made a strong come back since the Iron Curtain came down.
Next week we’ll look at New Year’s and the tradition of New Year’s resolutions.
What did you learn from this post? What did you find interesting about this post? Are there similar holidays or traditions in Turkey?
I learnt that Christmas is celebrated in different countries in different ways. I didn’t know that. I’m interested in the same things as in this article. There are no holidays like that in Turkey.
This is a very interesting article. I love Christmas! As a Scottish person İ think this is our best holiday. Woo!
I don’t like Christmas because it’s not important in Turkey.
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I learned an interesting fact the other day. Saint Nicholas, Santa Clause, was actually born in Turkey! Merry Christmas!
I think Russian culture is very different. In Turkey, we have Children’s Bayram and we give money or candy to each other. I think it’s like Christmas, but we don’t decorate our houses.
Thank you for this article…
I like Christmas. In Turkey, I especially like alcohol and dancing.
I learned that Christmas is different in different countries. Our country’s celebrations are very different from other countries’ celebrations.
Christmas is a very nice day. I don’t think its history is important. A new year means new hopes. It’s an exciting day.
St. Nick (Santa Clause) was born in Patara, near Kemer, on the Mediterranean Coast. It’s a very good place to be born.
I like Christmas. Lots of drink and lots of fun