Would you like to celebrate the New Year abroad?
1. State the problem
2. Express your opinion
3. Give arguments and examples
4. Make a conclusion
2. How would you like to spend your winter vacations?
1. Introduce the topic.
2 Express your opinion
3. Give arguments and examples
4. Make a conclusion
ADDITIONAL TEXTS
Read the texts about holidays and traditions and do the tasks.
TEXT 1. CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS – WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
The word Christmas is derived from the words Christ’s Mass, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Although Christmas is undoubtedly a Christian celebration, it’s also true to say that it’s an unusual combination of pagan and Christian festivities.
A Christmas tree stands in everybody’s living room at Christmas. But, in pre-Christian times, evergreens were worshipped in Northern Europe as symbols of eternal life.
Mistletoe, hung as a Christmas decoration, allows to kiss whoever you like underneath it. The origin of this custom comes from Scandinavia.
The origin of lighting candles at Christmas, too, dates back to pre-Christian roots. One such root is the Jewish fest called Hanukka when candles were lit. Another root is the Roman festival called Saturnalia when fire, wood and light were celebrated to forget the darkness of the deepest winter. The Bible says that Mary had trouble finding shelter on the night Jesus was born. So on Christmas Eve, some people light candles in the window. The candles symbolize a welcome to weary travellers.
Holly, however, as a well-known Christmas decoration today, does have Christian associations. In Norwegian, Swedish and Danish holly is known as Christ’s thorns, the legend being that Christ wore a crown of holly thorns before his death. Some people have seen associations with the word holly and holy.
Giving presents and gifts, on the other hand, goes back again to the Roman Saturnalia. When good luck, gifts of fruit, pastry or gold were given to friends on New Year’s Day.
The Yule log isa log of wood traditionally burned on Christmas Eve (yule is old English for Christmas). To Scandinavians of long ago, the Yule log meant light and warmth during winter. A family member brought the log home on Christmas Eve. It was always lit with a piece of the last year’s log.
Singing carols is anotherChristmas tradition. It is believed thatSt. Francis of Assisi, in Italy, set up the first manger scene in 1223. He invited people to sing the gospel at the scene. Today, people still sing some of those early carols.
|
|
|
Santa Claus gets his name from a man known as St. Nicholas. He lived in western Asia during the fourth century. He gave his wealth to the poor – often children. After he died, his feast day was celebrated with gift giving. The Dutch brought his legend to colonial America. Soon his Dutch name Sinter Klaas, became Santa Claus.
Translate or explain in English:
undoubtedly; yule; pagan; evergreens; eternal; worship; shelter; manger scene; gospel; wealth;
What Russian Christmas traditions do you know?
TEXT 2. A GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE
In Trafalgar Square in front of the National Gallery stands an enormous Christmas tree. It’s a gift from the people of Oslo. Every winter they cut down a tree for London. Then horses pull it through the snowy forests to the docks. When the tree arrives, the police on motorcycles escort it to Trafalgar Square. It’s over 50 feet high. There it stands as straight as the pillars behind it and looks taller than the dome of the National Gallery.
It is brightly coloured. Right at the top there is a large shining star. The branches are draped with tinsel and hung with big brilliant stars that sparkle in the night. Bright shining balls of different colours and different sizes cover the tree from top to bottom. Imitation snow lies soft and silver white on the dark green branches. No wonder whole families, boys and girls and grown-ups too, stand and stare. Here’s a Christmas tree bigger than any they ever have seen in their lives. Under a darkening sky in the heart of London, this sparkling tree seems to catch the spirit of Christmas.
Дата добавления: 2019-02-22; просмотров: 495; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!