Webquest: Christmas

Part 1. The history of Christmas

Look for the answers to the following questions and share your answers with your partner.

1.      What did Saturnalia celebrate?  

Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated.

2.      How did Roman society change during Saturnalia?

Slaves became masters, peasants controlled the city and businesses and schools were

closed.

3.      In what century did the church decide to make the birth of Christ a holiday?

In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a   holiday.

4.      What was the problem with choosing the date of Christ’s birth?

Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention the date of his birth.

5.      Why was 25^th December chosen?

In order to adopt and absorb the traditions of the Pagan Saturnalia festival.

6.      Why do some churches celebrate Christmas on 6^th January?

This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

7.      What was the main disadvantage for church leaders of holding Christmas at the same time as other winter festival?

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated.

8.      In what way were Christmas celebrations during the Middle Ages similar to those of Roman times?

The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined “debt” to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens.

Twenty Christmas traditions from around the world

11. Presents are brought by Jesus instead of Santa Claus. Colombia

12. Neighborhoods get together for night festivals where children play with skateboards, rollerblades and bicycles. Venezuela

13. On the 6^th December, Saint Nicholas puts goodies in children’s shoes. Germany

14. Rice pudding is traditionally served with whipped cream and lashings of black cherry sauce. Denmark

15. Electric candles and glowing stars are placed in almost every window during the month of December. Sweden

16. A traditional meal includes herring, beetroot soup with ravioli. Poland

17. It is a tradition for children to leave a glass of milk and plate of cookies for Santa. United States

18. At midnight on 24^th December, churches celebrate “the Rooster’s Mass”. Brazil

19. Children are visited by “Old Man Christmas” on Christmas Eve and must sing songs or recite Christmas poems. Estonia

20. Children celebrate Christmas by playing with firecrackers and sparklers. El Salvador