Knowledge Organiser Year 7 Christmas Unit 2 Name

Knowledge Organiser Year 7 Christmas Unit #2 Name of Tradition Origin of Tradition Christmas Cards The first Christmas cards were sent in 1840 with the beginning of the Penny Post – the first postal service that allowed people to have mail delivered for the cost of a penny stamp. At first cards were handmade. By the end of the Victorian period large printing presses were making thousands of cards and selling them at an affordable price. Originally cards would have been handmade with care and thought, They would have featured religious pictures and messages linked with the religious meaning of Christmas. Modern Christmas cards rarely have religious images or links, often featuring winter scenes, snowmen, fluffy penguins, and even popular music artists. The legend of Santa Clause is based on Saint Nicolaus – a Christian Bishop from Myra (modern day Turkey) who became famous for healing children and being charitable. The modern image of Santa as a jolly, fat, red-suited, white-bearded man came from Coca-Cola adverts in the early 20 th Century. The idea of Santa riding in a sleigh with reindeers comes from the poem “The Night before Christmas” written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822. St. Nicolaus was a Christian, and is now a Christian Saint. St. Nicolas’ day is still celebrated across the world by orthodox Christians. The ‘modern’ Santa Clause is the creation of an advertising campaign by a multi-billion dollar business (Coca-Cola) and the imagination of a poet. Christmas Trees first came to England from Germany with Georgian Kings in the 1700 s. At this time, no one liked Germany, so they didn’t really take off! But, in 1846, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (her husband) were featured in a picture with their family standing around a decorated Christmas Tree. It immediately became fashionable. At first, decorations were all home-made. Later, they were made of glass. Christmas Trees and other evergreens have long been linked with winter festivals. Some people believe that the evergreen are a symbol of everlasting life with God (because evergreens are green all year round – they never die). Other people argue that they link with pagan festivals – evergreens were used to decorate Roman temples during the festival of Saturnalia. Many believe they a re linked with ancient superstitions. Either way, today, hardly anyone is aware of the old links with belief. Christmas trees are simply a decoration and popular symbol of Christmas. Since about 400 AD Christians have celebrated the birth of Jesus. This is when the Roman Empire officially adopted Christianity. Before then, Paganism was the main religion. Pagans were really superstitious, and they thought that the cold, short days of winter meant that the end of the world was coming. Around the time that the days started to get longer again, Pagan’s celebrated with a festival called Saturnalia. Between the 17 th and 24 th of December there was lots of feasting and merry making. On the 25 th was the big party, when the rebirth of the Sun God was celebrated. The Sun God, it was believed, had triumphed over the evil darkness. In order for the Roman Empire to encourage ‘new’ Christians to celebrate Christmas, they decided to celebrate Jesus’ birth on the 25 th December. It seems there has always been a festival in December. Because it is the darkest time of year, many old societies feared that the long, warmer days of spring and summer would never return. These festivals were a way of warding off the ‘evil darkness’ that consumed the daylight and made it difficult to grow crops. Jesus was NOT born on the 25 th December, but his birth is now celebrated on a day that has long been given over to religious festivals. Santa Clause Christmas Trees The 25 th of December! The Tudor Christmas in Tudor times was very different. The height of the festival was not Christmas day but Epiphany – the 12 th Day of Christmas. • Gifts were exchanged – but on New Year. • Mumming would take place – drinking, acting and singing whilst wearing masks/dressing up, • Gifts of food would be given to the poor on Boxing Day • Popular foods would have been Boars’ Head and Swan • Carols were melancholy and sad • Alcohol was a key feature • Evergreens would have decorated homes Is there a link with religion? “We have lost the true meaning of Christmas”. Do you agree? Key Terms Christmas A holy day when Christians would go to Church for a special mass celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Tradition A custom that is passed from generation to generation. Messiah A saviour sent from God. Advent The Victorian Christmas Most of the traditions we associated with Christmas started during the Victorian period. Many of these feature in Charles Dickens’ famous novel “A Christmas Carol”. • Decorating Christmas Trees • A Christmas Feast, with mince pies and duck or goose • Exchanging gifts on Christmas Day • Exchanging Christmas Cards • Pantomimes • Jolly Christmas Carols A time of preparation for Christmas – the weeks in December. Nativity The story of the birth of Jesus – often acted out in Church and schools during advent. Eucharist Bread and wine consumed in Church to remember Jesus. Midnight Mass A special ceremony held in Church on Christmas Eve. Incarnation Another way of referring to the birth of Jesus. 20 th Century Christmas Throughout the 20 th Century Christmas has become more and more commercialised. 1940 s – War time Christmas was difficult. Little food due to rationing. Only hand-made presents and decorations. Ox-Heart and similar foods for Christmas Dinner. 1950 s – More money and rationing ended so meat (normally ham) for Christmas Dinner. Sweets now available. Christmas parties. Football match on Christmas day. 1960 s – Mass produced a multi-coloured decorations. Many more Christmas presents and treats due to increased wealth. Epiphany Festival held on 6 th January. Celebrates the visit of the Wise Men to the baby Jesus. Saturnalia A Pagan festival that was held between 17 th and 25 th December. Pagan An ancient belief system featuring ancestor and nature worship.

The Birth of Jesus in the Bible The Gospel of Luke The Gospel of Matthew We learn Mary and Joseph are not married – Mary is Joseph’s ‘bride-to-be’. Mary does not traipse around Bethlehem looking for a room. It seems there is only one Inn. Shepherds are visited by an angel, but they are not happy; they are scared stiff. Jesus is born in ‘David’s town’. We know that this is Bethlehem. It does not say that Jesus was born in a stable, just that he was placed in a manger. The shepherds do not take gifts or baby lambs. There are no wise-men or kings with gifts. Practice How Christmas is Celebrated in Church Beliefs Why is Christmas is Important for Christians? Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah – a saviour sent by God to earth to bring goodness and peace. Christians believe that people had strayed from God, and forgotten what it meant to worship God and live the best life on earth possible. This meant that their relationship with God had been broken. By coming to earth Jesus helped to restore people’s relationship with God. Many Christians also remember that Mary and Joseph had a strong faith in God – despite the obvious difficulties that they faced. Christians also believe that Jesus promised his disciples that he would return to earth one day to judge people and to decide who should go to heaven. This is known as the second coming. Even though Christmas remembers the birth of Jesus, it is an opportunity to reflect upon this message. Practice Advent The four weeks before Christmas are known as Advent. The word Advent means ‘coming’. Advent is a period of preparation before Christmas. During Advent, Christians think about Jesus coming to the world as a baby and what this meant for human beings. During Advent Christians read Bible passages which talk about the Messiah and what He will be like. In church there advent wreaths or candles, which count down the says until Christmas. We meet Herod – the evil King. There are no wise men or kings, just ‘astrologers from the east’. The great star is mentioned and so is Bethlehem. The baby Jesus has already been born, and is visited in a house, not a stable. Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are given. We do not know how many astrologers visited Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Carols are sung throughout the Christmas period. A carol is a hymn about Jesus’ birth. Some Christians light Advent candles or use Advent calendars to count down the days until Christmas. Most Churches have a Christmas tree which is decorated with lights. Light is used a lot during the Christmas period as it is symbolic – representing the belief that Jesus is the light of the world. Sometimes Christmas is referred to as a festival of light because it celebrates the birth of the ‘light of the world’. Most Christians go to Church to take part in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is also known as Mass. It is a ceremony in church when Christians receive wine and bread in memory of Jesus. One of the most popular services is called Midnight Mass which takes place late on Christmas Eve. Many Churches have a Tree Service, where members of the congregation (church community) are encouraged to bring a gift for charity. Churches also have a Nativity or Manger Service, where younger members of the congregation act out the story of the birth of Jesus. Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas, on 6 January, and commemorates the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus. Epiphany literally means 'revealed', and this day also marks the day when Jesus was revealed to the world. Practice Other ways of Celebrating Many Christians exchange gifts at Christmas time. This is symbolic of the belief that Jesus was a gift to the world. Many Christians also take time to think about and support those less fortunate than themselves. Many help by serving the community – for example by working at Food Banks, serving at Charity Christmas meals, and organising fundraisers like the Shoebox Appeal. Some Churches open their doors to the homeless over Christmas, providing basic care, food and shelter. “We have lost the true meaning of Christmas”. Do you agree? Why is Jesus important for Christians? Jesus was God in human form – fully human and yet fully God. Jesus was sent to earth as saviour – a messiah. Jesus allowed people to heal / restore their relationship with God. Jesus performed many miracles during his life. Jesus was a Rabbi – a teacher and a religious leader. Jesus fought for justice and fairness in society. Jesus resurrected after his death – proving that life after death exists. Differences in Practice Some Christians do not celebrate Christmas – choosing instead to celebrate Jesus every day rather than specifying a particular date. Some do not ‘do’ Christmas as they feel they are not directed to in the Bible. Others opt out because they feel that the commercialisation of Christmas has made it seem pointless. Some, for example Jehovah’s Witnesses, do not celebrate Christmas as they believe its’ origins lie in pagan customs. Orthodox Churches in Russia, Serbia, Jerusalem, Ukraine, Ethiopia and other countries use the old 'Julian' calendar and people in those churches celebrate Christmas on January 7 th.