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Home , At Home (short story), Christmas, Christmas carol, Home (short story), Santa Claus

C HRISTMAS DAY 52 F EDERAL HOLIDAYS HRISTMAS is a joyful that is is a most c herished tradition so the days before celebrated by most people in the United Christmas are some of the busiest times of the year at air- States. Even though its origins are Chris- ports, train stations, and bus depots with people on their Ctian, it has become a holiday season that is celebrated way to spend the holidays with their loved ones. Houses in various ways by people of many faiths. The Christmas may be full of cousins, aunts, and uncles who might not story comes from the Bible. In the story an ap- see each other at other times during the year. Family mem- peared to shepherds and told them bers help in the preparation of the that a savior had been born to Mary festivities, including of course, mak- and in a stable in . ing a l ot of food! The Christmas din- Three Wise Men from the East (the ner table looks much like a Thanks- ) followed a wondrous star, giving feast, with or ham, which led them to the baby . sauce, potatoes, and pie. The Wise Men paid homage to the No Christmas is complete without new child, and presented of lots of desserts, like spicy , , and m yrrh. and hot from the oven. A Christmas has been associated with popular drink during the holiday giving since the Wise Men and gatherings is , a brought these gifts to welcome the beverage made of beaten eggs, newborn baby. cream, milk, sugar, spices, and may- On , be brandy or rum. Plenty of eggnog 24, many people attend evening and hot are often on hand church services, often at midnight. for family and visitors alike. Attention is focused on the n ativity scene, the story of the birth of Jesus, and on the spirit of and Symbols Christmas. Christmas Eve services often include the Decorations singing of Christmas carols. On Christmas morning In preparation for Christmas, many people d ecorate some families also attend church services, but many their houses with colored lights and hang a of ev- families spend the morning at , opening gifts and ergreen branches, or other Christmas decorations on the sharing a special meal. Some people visit friends and door. Inside the house people often decorate with bright neighbors on Christmas Day. plants. Most families Because many American fami- also put up Christmas trees. In some are spread out throughout the PREVIOUS PAGE: A decorated towers over parts of the USA there are - presents waiting to be opened on Christmas morning. country, the Christmas season brings mas tree farms where people can cut ABOVE: During the Christmas season, many people dec- a lot of travel. Going home for orate their houses with poinsettia plants. down their own trees. Most people,

F EDERAL HOLIDAYS 53 C HRISTMAS DAY however, buy trees that have already been cut and are ents. The pull him and his sleigh through the sold from Christmas tree lots on street corners or in shop- sky to deliver presents to all around the world, ping areas. The trees are brought home, set up in the liv- that is, if they have been good all year. On Christmas ing room, and decorated with lights, ornaments, , morning, children can’t wait to open their eyes and see and a star or angel at the top. Under this tree, family what Santa left for them under the Christmas tree. In members and “Santa” will leave gifts. many families, on Christmas Eve children prepare a glass of milk and cookies as a snack for Santa. Of course, in the morning the snack is gone, and they Santa Claus’ origin goes back to Norse and pre- know that Santa was there. Santa Claus exists only in Christian mythological characters who were also asso- our imaginations. But he, , and Father ciated with gift giving. The Norse God, , rode on a Christmas all represent the spirit of giving. magical flying horse across the sky in the to re- ward people with gifts. In Scandinavian and other Eu- Gift-Giving ropean countries, , or , Giving gifts is a major Christmas tradition. Gifts comes into houses in the night and leaves gifts for the are bought or made for all people. Often school chil- children, to bring in the coldest months of the dren will make gifts in their classrooms for their par- year. The legend of Saint Nicholas may have developed ents or grandparents. The gifts are wrapped and placed from stories of a real Saint Nicholas, a priest who lived under the Christmas tree to be opened on Christmas in the 300s AD, and reportedly gave money to a poor morning. Some children are so excited on Christmas family. Saint Nicholas became a symbol for gift giving Day that they wake up at the crack of dawn to peek among . Later, Saint Nicholas was substituted into the living room. It is hard for them to wait until with a non-religious figure, Father Christmas, who was after breakfast before opening the gifts. represented as a kindly man with a red cloak and long Nowadays people often complain that Christmas . Immigrants brought the idea of Father has become too “commercialized,” especially in large Christmas to the . His name was eventu- cities. Shop owners begin advertising and decorating ally changed to Santa Claus, from the Dutch “Sinter for Christmas as early as October in hopes of selling Claas,” which means Father Christmas. Santa Claus more goods. Children demand more from Santa Claus took shape in the United States, and Americans made because manufacturers and retailers saturate the me- him a cheery old gentleman with red cheeks and a twin- dia with advertising. Children’s toys have become kle in his eye. American children believe that Santa more complex and expensive. Many kids ask for pric- Claus lives at the with his wife, Mrs. Claus, ey electronic or sports equipment, while the trend for and his helpers, the . All year he keeps a list of the adults is also for larger, more expensive gifts. Some names of children in the world, and notes whether they people believe that the origin and spirit of Christmas have been good or bad. He decides what presents to has been lost. give to the good children. He oversees the manufactur- Every year human-interest stories appear in the ing and wrapping of the presents by his helpers. media reminding readers of the origin of Christmas. Santa Claus supposedly gets his ideas for the toys Shelters for the homeless and hungry appeal for mon- from the millions of children who write to him at the ey or gifts for those who are in need. Members of or- North Pole, explaining what they would like for ganizations like dress up as Santa Christmas. Children also find Santa Claus at shopping Claus and stand on the sidewalks collecting money malls across the country. They sit on his lap and tell for their soup kitchens. City police and other groups him what they want. Of course, their parents are prob- supervise a “Toys for Tots” drive, in which people ably nearby listening in as well. donate new toys for needy children. Company em- On , Christmas Eve, Santa hitches ployees may take up a collection for a special charity his eight reindeer to a sleigh, and loads it with pres- or a family in need. All of these efforts are meant to

C HRISTMAS DAY 54 F EDERAL HOLIDAYS emphasize the importance of giving—rather than often listen to this poem before they go to bed on Christ- receiving—during this holiday season. mas Eve, in anticipation of Santa’s visit. A favorite Christmas story is “A ” Christmas Stockings written by British author in 1854. Long ago, children hung their own stockings, or Dickens’ story spreads the idea of sharing and com- socks, over the fireplace mantel. Santa entered down the passion. It tells about a poor family with little money chimney and left candy and presents inside the socks for to live or eat well, and no money to pay for a doctor good children. Bad children received a lump of . for their son, Tiny Tim, who is disabled and walks Today the tradition of hanging up a stocking is carried with crutches. Yet they consider themselves lucky for on, but now many of the stockings are large sock-shaped what they do have—a close, happy family and gener- fabric bags decorated in Christ- ous friends. Reading excerpts mas red and and holiday from “” is designs. Stockings are often per- an important Christmas tradi- sonalized with the owner’s name. tion for many American fami- In some households all family lies. Theater and television pro- members, young and old, have ductions of “A Christmas Car- Christmas stockings. In others, ol” are popular entertainment only the children hang up their . Another stockings. On Christmas morn- popular Christmas production ing, everyone eagerly opens their is “The ,” a ballet stockings to find small items by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky bringing Christmas cheer. which tells the story of a child’s dream. “The Nutcracker” is a Christmas Cards holiday favorite for people of Another important custom all ages, as many children dance of Christmas is to send and re- in the cast. ceive Christmas cards that ex- Special Christmas songs, or press the sentiment of the season. Some cards are reli- carols, are sung and heard throughout the holiday sea- gious in nature; others are non-religious, or even hu- son. Carolers from community groups or churches morous. Often the cards—or letters and photos—give may go from door to door through neighborhoods information about family events from the previous year. singing Christmas carols. There are different types of Americans send Christmas cards throughout December carols: old traditional songs such as “Good King to friends, family, co-workers, and even business clients. Wenceslaus” and “Deck the Halls;” there are religious Christmas cards often include a greeting for the New songs like “” and “O Little Town of Year, wishing the recipient, “Merry Christmas and Bethlehem;” and modern American songs like “I’ll Be Happy New Year.” Today many people choose cards Home for Christmas.” Christmas carols, both reli- that say simply, “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greet- gious and secular, capture the spirit and excitement of ings,” which are inclusive of all faiths. the season.

Christmas Entertainment Glossary Songs, poems, stories, and performances are a regu- celebrate(d): v. to honor by a ceremony or festivity lar part of the Christmas season for many families. One Bible: n. the book of the Christian well-known poem is “The Night Be- angel: n. a spirit, usually thought fore Christmas” written by Clement to be from heaven ABOVE: Santa Claus places gifts under the tree and in the Moore in 1823. American children stockings hanging over the fireplace mantel. shepherd(s): n. a person who takes

F EDERAL HOLIDAYS 55 C HRISTMAS DAY ’Twas the night before Christmas And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof, when all through the house The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. Not a creature wasThe stirring, Nightnot even a mouse. Before As I drew Christmas in my head, and was turning around, The stockings were hung by the chimney Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with care, with a bound. In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. He was dressed all in fur from his head The children were nestled to his foot, all snug in their beds, And his clothes were all tarnished While visions of sugarplums with ashes and soot. danced through their heads. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back. Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, And he looked like a peddler just Had just settled down for opening his pack. a long winter’s nap. His eyes how they twinkled, When out on the lawn there his dimples how merry! arose such a clatter His cheeks were like roses, I sprang from my bed to see his nose like a cherry; what was the matter. His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, Away to the window I flew like a flash, And the beard on his chin was Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. as white as the snow. The moon on the breast of the The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, new fallen snow, And the smoke, it encircled his head Gave a luster of mid-day to objects below. like a wreath. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear He had a broad face, and a little round belly, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. That shook when he laughed, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, like a bowl full of jelly. I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. He was chubby and plump a right jolly old , More rapid than eagles his coursers And I laughed when I saw him, they came, in spite of myself. And he whistled, and shouted, A wink of his eye, and twist of his head, and called them by name: Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! He spoke not a word, but went now, Prancer and Vixen! straight to his work, On, Comet! on, Cupid! And filled all the stockings, on, Donner and Blitzen then turned with a jerk. To the top of the porch to the top of wall! And laying his finger aside of his nose, Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!” And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, He sprang to his sleigh, to his team When they meet with an obstacle, gave a whistle, mount to the sky, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle; So, up to the house top the coursers But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, they flew, APPY HRISTMAS O LL With a sleigh full of toys “HND O CLL OOD T I GHA T and St. Nicholas, too. A T A A G N .”

C HRISTMAS DAY 56 F EDERAL HOLIDAYS care of or watches sheep reindeer: n. -like animal living in cold regions savior: n. one who saves or brings salvation; in sleigh: n. vehicle with runners pulled by animals over , Jesus Christ snow stable: n. a farm building where animals are kept exist(s): v. to live; to be Magi: n. wise men from the East who came with gifts imagination(s): n. picture or idea in the mind for baby Jesus spirit: n. an attitude or intention wondrous: adj. remarkable; extraordinary crack (of dawn): n. the earliest light of the day; daybreak homage: n. respect; honor peek: v. to take a quick look as if from a place of hiding frankincense: n. material from a special East African commercialize(d): v. to exploit for profit or Arabian tree that makes a fragrant smell when it is retailer(s): n. a person who sells items directly to cus- burned tomers : n. material from a special East African or saturate: v. to fill up completely Arabian tree which is used in making perfumes pricey: adj. expensive : n. phrase. an exhibit of statues or figures shelter(s): n. safe place; haven which show baby Jesus in the with Mary, soup kitchen(s): phrase. a place where food is served Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi free of charge to people in need carol(s): n. a song of praise or joy, especially for drive: n. organized event or effort to raise money for a Christmas cause cherish(ed): adj. held dear; appreciated mantel: n. an ornamental shelf over a fireplace festivity(ies): n. celebration lump: n. irregularly shaped piece spicy: adj. containing aromatic substances such as cin- coal: n. black ore used for fuel namon and nutmeg personalize(d): v. to make personal by adding the owner’s wreath: n. a ring or circle of leaves, flowers, ribbon or name or initials other items, often hung on the door as decoration at sentiment: n. feeling Christmas time humorous: adj. funny; amusing lot(s): n. a piece of land with the use specified by an recipient: n. person who receives a gift or award adjective; i.e., parking lot, used car lot, Christmas tree anticipation: n. looking forward, thinking of the future lot, empty lot crutches: n. support used as a walking aid tinsel: n. shiny, thin strands of silver or gold colored generous: adj. giving paper used to decorate the Christmas tree production(s): n. staged performance or show Norse: adj. Norwegian, from or relating to Norway caroler(s): n. person singing Christmas carols at Christ- mythological: adj. not having a factual basis, relating mas time, generally in a group standing outside or go- to a myth or story ing door to door in a neighborhood saint: n. a title given by church (usually Christian) to secular: adj. of or relating to worldly concerns; non- represent one of God’s chosen religious substitute(d): v. to be replaced cloak: n. a long, loose outer garment without sleeves immigrant(s): n. a person who moves permanently to another country cheery: adj. friendly, happy twinkle: n. sparkle; bright spot like a star elf(ves): n. small mischievous or helpful creature in mythology oversee(s): v. to supervise hitch(es): v. to connect

F E D ERAL H OLID AYS 57 C HRISTMAS DAY