Christmas

Background Information

The choice of the 25th December as the birthday of Jesus was arbitrary, but hardly random. The date almost coincides with the Winter Solstice (22/23 December), the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This was a time when the ancient pagans rejoiced anticipating longer daylight hours, warmer weather and the re-awakening of the natural world.
Christian customs originating from this festivity are the decorative use of evergreens, the leaves symbolising the renewal of life, and the lighting of the Yule log. The great log was brought into the house, lit from the remains of the previous year's fire, to burn throughout the twelve days of the festive period.

The first religious service of Christmas is the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, although many churches hold family services to enable children to attend. A common feature is the Christmas crib depicting the scene of at the stable in Bethlehem with the baby Jesus in the manger in Bethelehem, surrounded by Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men

Symbols of Christmas

The Christmas Tree was introduced into Britain by Queen Victoria's husband, Albert Prince Consort, in 1841
Christmas cards originate from a prototype designed in 1843 by the artist J C Horsley. A thousand cards, decorated with a seasonal illustration and the caption 'A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you', were printed and sold for one shilling (5p) each. The idea soon caught on!

Holly has been a symbol of love and friendship ever since pagan times. In the familiar carol 'The Holly and the Ivy', its prickly, evergreen leaves and red berries are linked to features of the ivy plant, and this image is associated with the birth, life and death of Christ.

Activites

The practice of making individual Advent calendars provides a useful design technology activity.
 
  1. Enlarge the design from a Christmas card -- older children can construct a grid to enable proportionate magnification.
  2. Mark and cut openings for 24 boxes of varying shapes and sizes for windows.
  3. Number them from 1 to 24.
  4. Mount onto backing paper.
  5. Open the windows carefully and illustrate behind them.

Planning the class party: There are opportunities for data handling inthis activity; e.g. asking how many packets of crips, sausages on sticks, etc. are needed; designing seating plans; making and writing invitations to parent helpers, classroom assistants etc.; making party hats, table decorations, serviettes, and designing games and entertainment.
The Christmas service: It is traditional in many schools to hold a service re-enacting the Christmas story through readings, poems and carols. The tableau is the simplest and most effective format. As each part of the story is related, costumed children (usually from the youngest classes) process to the front of the hall, and the nativity scene gradually builds up.

This information was taken from the book Active Assemblies Through the Year written by Ian Addis. Click here for more information on this book.