 |
|
|
|
THE
BRITISH CHRISTMAS
d-ra prof. Cristina Iosifescu
|
|
|
 |
 |
CHRISTMAS is a Christian holiday which is celebrated on the 25th of December. It represents the main family reunion of the year for all the Christians in Great Britain. It is the beginning of the winter holiday which starts with Christmas and ends after the New Year.
On Christams day, the British people go to church. After attending the religious service, they open their presents and they have their Christmas dinner.After the Christmas dinner, the British family sits in front of the TV to watch the Sovereign’s Christmas speech; this tradition was initiated by George V, in 1932.The Christmas holidays used to last for twelve days, that is, it started on Christmas Eve and it ended on the 6th of January
.
|
 |
 |
 |
The Christmas decorations are not removed until the 6th of January and nowadays they represent a great joy for both children and grown – ups. The houses and the public places are brightly decorated for Christmas, but the Christmas tree is the main focus. |
 |
|
|
Since 1947 a huge tree is placed in Trafalgar Square and it is under this tree that many Britons welcome the New Year, they drink champagne and they congratulate one another. The presents are opened under the Christmas tree, but the children don’t forget to hang a stocking on the fire place. It is believed that Santa Claus will fill their stockings with presents.
Father Christmas is also known as Santa Claus, which comes from Santa Klaas, the Dutch name of Saint Nicholas, who is celebrated on the 6th of December. . |
|
 |
|
|
Santa Claus has existed since the 15th century, and the image of this character has been established by an illustration from the 17th century; he is an old man, with red cheeks, a long, white beard and red outfits.The complete image of Santa Claus is imported from America: he comes in a sleigh which is pulled by reindeers; he uses the chimney to get into the houses and give presents to the good children. |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
It could be said that the family Christmas celebration hasn’t changed since Victorian times, and the Christmas ritual today reminds of the mild Victorian family reunion, which can also be found in Dickens’ novels. The decorations have started back then, and even after two centuries we can still find the fir tree wreath on the British doors.
Another unchanged thing about Christmas refers to the Christmas dinner; nowadays, it is made up of turkey; the turkey comes from America, but it has been perfectly adjusted to the British cuisine even starting with the times of Elisabeth I. At the beginning of the previous century the plum pudding has been replaced by the ever – lasting Christmas pudding,which is made up of dried fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, and a lot of brandy. It is served on a plate which is decorated with an Ilex branch.
Christmas is the joy of every winter, the Christmas spirit gives everybody a better mood, and the Christmas carols remind everybody of Jesus’ birth. This holiday is a symbol of Christianity, it is celebrated similarly in the Christian countries and it will certainly be preserved as it is today for many years to come. |
|
|
