Christmas-around-the-world-reading

Christmas around the world (Joyeux Noël) FRANCE (Vrolijk kerstfeest) THE NETHERLANDS (Vrolijk Kerstfeest) BELGIUM Père Noël is Sinterklaas rides a horse. Dutch children Belgian children believe accompanied by Père leave their shoes out, filled with hay and that Saint Nicholas Fouettard, who brings sugar for his horse. In the morning they find brings them their presents only to good their shoes filled with candy, presents. They also kids. Children put their nuts and gifts. When believe he rides a horse so shoes by the fire place to Sinterklaas appears to they leave hay and get gifts. People have children, he takes the carrots and water for the dinner at midnight on form of their father or a horse just outside the December 24 (le Réveillon) with a cake male relative. house on December 6. called La Bûche de Noël. (Glædelig Jul) DENMARK (Frohe Weihnachten) GERMANY (God Jul) SWEDEN Danish people celebrate Children count the days until Most people in Scandinavian countries Christmas Eve with a Christmas with an Advent honour St. Lucia on December special rice pudding calendar. They also write 13. Traditionally, the eldest in which a single letters to St. Nicholas daughter in each family gets up almond is hidden. asking for presents early and wakes each of her Whoever finds the (December 6). Christmas family members, dressed in a Eve is the most important almond will have good luck for long, white gown with a red time of the Christmas the coming year. ribbon and a crown made of season for families. Some Julemanden arrives in a twigs with nine lighted even say it is a magical night when animalssleigh drawn by reindeer and candles. Jultomten, visits can speak. The wonderful tradition of the a sack over his back. He is houses in the afternoon on Christmas tree, which started in Germany,assisted with his Yuletide chores by ElvesChristmas Eve. is the heart of the celebration. called Juul Nisse, who live in attics. (C рождеством!) RUSSIA (Buon Natale) ITALY Families decorate a New Year’s tree and (Feliz Navidad) SPAIN Italian people exchange make Salad Olivier Spanish people celebrate gifts on January 6, when (diced meat, veggies Nochebuena (Christmas the Wise Men or Magi and potatoes all Eve), and families gather reached baby Jesus. Italy slathered in Mayo). together to share a meal. has La Befana, who Grandfather Frost Children leave their shoes brings gifts for good (Дед Моро́з) delivers filled with straw and children and punishment presents to good barley for the camels of for the bad ones. The children, aided by The the Wise Men who visit nativity scene dates back to Saint Francis of Snow Maiden them on January 6. Assisi. (Снегу́рочка). (Merry Christmas) UK (Feliz Navidad) MEXICO The tradition of hanging (Merry Christmas) CANADA / U.S.A. They celebrate Christmas for nine days with stockings by the chimney People decorate Christmas trees and hang Las Pastorelas. People dress as Mary and began here because Father their stockings by the fireplace because Joseph walking from Christmas accidentally children believe that house to house dropped some gold coins on Santa Claus will fill asking if Mary may his way down the chimney them with gifts. stay the night. which got caught in a drying People also exchange Then, they are stocking. British children wait until thecards and gifts and go invited in for a afternoon to open their gifts.carolling. party with food, Boxing Day is celebrated the songs, and a Piñata day following Christmas, filled with all kinds of sweets. when small gifts were given to servants. (圣诞快乐) CHINA Christian kids decorate their houses with beautiful paper lanterns. Many Chinese children also hang stockings and wait for Santa Claus or Dun Che Lao Ren, which means “Christmas Old Man.”

(メリークリスマス) JAPAN In Japan there is a god or priest known as (Merry Christmas) AUSTRALIA Hoteiosho, who closely Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white resembles our Santa kangaroos. Christmas dinner is eaten Claus. He is always outdoors and is followed by a visit to the pictured as a kind old beach or a game of cricket. man carrying a huge pack. He is thought to have eyes in the back of his head. Children must be good when this all-seeing gentleman is abroad.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD QUIZ

1) In Belgium, who comes on December 6? 2) Christians in China call Santa Claus Dun Che Lao Ren, which means… 3) The first nativity scene was displayed in 1223 by St. Francis of Assisi in which country? 4) In Sweden, the Christmas season begins on December 13, the feast day of St. Lucia. On this day it is traditional for the eldest daughter in every family to… 5) In which country is a Yule log-shaped cake called a "Bûche de Noël" traditionally served? 6) In China, what do people traditionally use to light their homes at Christmas? 7) Where do Santa's elves live in Denmark? 8) Who delivers presents in Russia? 9) In The Netherlands, what transport does Saint Nicholas traditionally use? 10) Which country originated the tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace? 11) At Christmas Mexican parents allow children to break a ……………… 12) What animals pull Santa’s sleigh in Australia? 13) Where was developed the modern tradition of the Christmas tree? 14) When and where is Boxing Day celebrated? 15) Where is Father Christmas known as Père Noël? 16) When do Spanish children receive their gifts? 17) In what country do children receive gifts from La Befana, a kindly old witch? 18) Who accompanies Père Noël with a book in which each child's behavior is recorded?

Answer key http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/ 1. Saint Nicholas 2. Christmas Old Man 3. Italy 4. wear a long, white gown with a red ribbon and a crown made of twigs with nine lighted candles 5. France 6. Paper lanterns 7. In the attics of houses 8. Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden 9. A horse 10. England 11. Piñata 12. Kangaroos 13. In Germany 14. In UK on December 26. 15. In France 16. On January 6. 17. Italy 18. Père Fouettard

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