Jingle Bells

Christmas

Christmas is the happiest and busiest time of the year for millions of people all over the world. They observe the holiday with religious ceremonies and prayer. Many people look forward to happy family parties and exchanging gifts. They decorate their houses with holly (1) and mistletoe (2). The Christmas trees sparkle with bright lights and mothers are busy spending more than fathers can earn!

In Great Britaih, children hang their stockings by the fireplace or by their beds, hoping that Father Christmas will fill them with Christmas gifts. The British call the day after Christmas, Boxing Day. On this day, most families give money to the milkman, postman, and other people who have served them throughout the year. Milkmen, postmen, etc., go round with boxes in their hands, to collect money. Many special songs and carols are sung at Christmas time. Carols are traditional songs of joyful character sung during religious or seasonal festivals such as Christmas, Easter or the Month of May. The word ‘carol ‘ comes from a French round dance called a “carole “, and was also used for an English pagan song-dance perf ormed to celebrate the shortest days of winter. The British are especially fond of “God rest You Merry, Gentle¬men” and “Silent Night”. “White Christmas” and “Jingle bells” first appeared as popular songs in the United States.

(1) Holly: It is an evergreen tree with green leaves and red berries. The leaves with the ber¬ries are used to make attrac¬tive Christmas wreaths. In for¬mer times, this tree was used in houses and churches at Christ¬mas time, and was called `holy tree’. The word `holly’ may have come from this name. Nowadays, both in Britain and in North America the holly is used for Christmas decoration.

(2) Mistletoe: It is another ever¬green plant used for Christmas decoration not only in Britain and North America but also in Italy and other European countries. It is said that the Druids, the ancient priests of the Celts, cut the mistletoe which grew on the sacred oak and gave it to the people for charms. In many countries, a person caught stand¬ing beneath mistletoe must for¬feit a kiss.