Christmas Vocabulary and Quiz
Christmas Expressions
- Merry Christmas!
- Happy Christmas
- Happy New Year!
- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
- Wishing you a prosperous New Year
- All the best for the coming year
- Seasons Greetings!
In the Christian religion, Christmas is a festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, usually on 25 December (a few parts of the world have other dates). It is observed by Christians the world over, but increasingly Christmas is also a commercial holiday observed by Christians and non-Christians alike.
25 December is Christmas Day. The day before Christmas Day (24 December) is Christmas Eve. The day after Christmas Day (26 December) is Boxing Day in Britain and many other English-speaking countries, but not the USA. (The origin of the name Boxing Day seems to relate to "boxes of gifts" given to servants and tradesmen on that day, though there may be other explanations.) The Twelve Days of Christmas (sometimes called "Christmastide") are from 25 December to 5 January, after which all Christmas decorations are supposed to be taken down.
Three Kings (aka Magi, or Three Wise Men): Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia, and Gaspar of India.
The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold, as to a king on earth; myrrh (an embalming oil), as to one who was mortal; and frankincense (an incense), as to a God.
(magi [mægi:] Br or [mædʒaɪ] Am; singular: magus [meigus]; frankincense [ˈfræŋkɪnˌsens])
Typical Christmas customs include:
- giving gifts
- exchanging Christmas cards
- singing Christmas carols
- attending church services
- eating a large, special meal
- displaying Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, holly and colourful lights
Christmas Terms
Advent the coming (or second coming) of Jesus Christ; the month leading up to Christmas
Bethlehem the small town in the Middle East believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ
chimney a vertical pipe in a house that allows smoke and gases to escape from a fireplace (Father Christmas traditionally enters a house through its chimney)
Christ the title of Jesus (also used as His name)
Christian a person who believes in Christianity; also an adjective
Christianity the religion based on the teachings and person of Jesus Christ
Christmas the annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas Day is on 25 December)
Christmas cake a rich fruit cake covered with white icing, eaten at Christmas
Christmas card a greetings card that people send to friends and family at Christmas
Christmas carol a religious song or popular hymn that people sing at Christmas
Christmas Day 25 December, the birthday of Jesus Christ
Christmas Eve the evening or day before Christmas Day (24 December)
Christmas holidays the holiday period for about a week before and after Christmas Day
Christmas tree an evergreen tree (often a spruce) that people decorate with lights and ornaments at Christmas
cracker a decorated paper tube that makes a sharp noise ("crack!") and releases a small toy when two people pull it apart
egg-nog a traditional Christmas drink made of alcohol with beaten eggs and milk
Father Christmas an imaginary being who brings presents for children on the night before Christmas Day (also known as Santa Claus) - traditionally an old man with a red suit and white beard
fireplace a partly enclosed space in a house where people light a fire for warmth
frankincense a gum used for incense, one of the gifts that the three wise men gave to Jesus
holly an evergreen plant with prickly dark green leaves and red berries
Jesus the name of Christ, the central figure of Christianity (believed by Christians to be the Son of God)
Joseph the husband of Mary (the mother of Jesus)
magi the wise men from the East who brought gifts for the baby Jesus
manger a trough for food for horses or cattle (used by Mary as a cradle or bed for Jesus)
Mary the mother of Jesus
mistletoe a parasitic plant with white berries, traditionally used as a Christmas
myrrh a gum used for perfume or incense, one of the gifts that the three wise men gave to Jesus
the Nativity the birth of Jesus Christ
nativity play a play that people perform at Christmas based on the birth of Jesus
new year the start of a year; the period just before and after 1 January
New Year's Day 1 January
New Year's Eve 31 December
reindeer a deer with large antlers found in some cold climates (believed to pull the sleigh for Santa Claus or Father Christmas)
Santa Claus also known as Father Christmas (Santa Claus may be based in part on the historical figure of Saint Nicholas.)
shepherd a person who looks after sheep
sleigh a sledge or light cart on runners pulled by horses or reindeer over snow and
the star of Bethlehem the star that announced the birth of Jesus and guided the wise men to find Him
tinsel a decoration consisting of thin strips of shiny metal foil, traditionally used at Christmas
turkey a bird like a large chicken, traditionally eaten at Christmas
Xmas abbreviation or informal term for Christmas
1. Christmas is a religious festival that celebrates the _______ of Jesus Christ.
2. Christmas Eve is on
3. Christians believe Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a small town in
4. Which is found in most Christian homes during the Christmas holidays?
5. Many children think that _______ brings their Christmas presents.
6. How many gifts did the wise men from the East bring for Jesus?
7. Which is traditionally eaten at Christmas?
8. Father Christmas is also known as
9. Old songs and hymns written especially for Christmas are called
10. Which is a common abbreviation of "Christmas"?