Every
year in December Christians around the world celebrate Christmas to
commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Besides Christmas Day on 25
December, Christmas celebrations in Britain also include the Advent
(four Sundays before Christmas), Christmas Eve (24 December), the
Queen’s message (on Christmas Day) and Boxing Day (26 December).
According
to the church calendar, the Advent is the official beginning of the
Christmas run-up. The Advent is marked by the Advent calendar and the
Advent candles. The Advent calendar is usually a thin rectangular card
with 24 or 25 doors and a Christmas scene behind each door. It is opened
every day from the 1st of December until the 24th or 25th of December.
On the other hand, the Advent candle can be a candle with 25 marks on
it, 24 candles for each night from 1 December through Christmas Eve, or
four candles for the four weeks before Christmas.
On
Christmas Eve, some people spend the night carol singing, attending a
midnight church service or going out to the pub with their friends or
family. For young children, Christmas Eve is the time when Father
Christmas or Santa comes and brings them presents. Traditionally before
going to bed, stockings are left out for Santa and in the morning the
children will check the stockings for presents.
The
main celebration, Christmas Day, is the time for gift giving and family
gathering. The average family starts opening presents around 8am and
then they sit down to breakfast. Afterward, they can attend church or
cook a big Christmas dinner, which is usually served around 3pm or 4pm
with the traditional turkey as the main menu.
Another
ritual on Christmas Day is watching the Queen’s speech. The tradition
began in 1932 by King George V and continues to this day. The Queen’s
message is broadcast on television and radio and most people in Britain
watch or listen to it while enjoying their Christmas dinner.
Boxing
Day, which is observed on 26 December, was traditionally the day to
open the Christmas box and share the contents with the poor. Today,
Boxing Day is a bank holiday and is primarily known as a shopping
holiday as many shops and retailers open very early and offer sales and
deals.
1) What do people use to mark the Advent?
-
A) Christmas tree.
B) Calendar and candles.
C) Turkey.
D) Christmas card.
-
A) Eat mince pies.
B) Buy Christmas gifts.
C) Cook turkey.
D) Check their stockings.
-
A) Eat breakfast or go to church.
B) Eat turkey or go to church.
C) Have Christmas dinner.
D) Attend midnight mass.
-
A) On Christmas Eve.
B) On Boxing Day.
C) On Christmas Day.
D) On 24 December.
A) A day to watch a boxing match.
B) A day to open a Christmas box.
C) A boxing holiday.
D) A bank holiday.
KEY:1.B 2D 3A 4C 5D
