Christmas

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Christmas Symbols
Slides prepared by teams of third graders.
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Reindeer
A reindeer can weigh as much as 250 pounds.
Rudolph was born over 100 years ago.
The eight reindeer of Santa Claus first appeared
in America . Their names are Dasher, Dancer,
Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and
Blitzen.
The largest reindeer can reach up to four feet
high at the shoulder.
A reindeer can pull up to twice its weight, so
reindeer can pull more than 250 pounds.
Reindeer have thick coats that are water proof.
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Star
It was a very bright star that led the wise men
to baby Jesus.
Compared to the star of Bethlehem, explaining the
Moravian Star is relatively easy.
It could have been a comet or meteor.
The star led the angels, wise men, and shepherds
to baby Jesus.
It could have been Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn all
very close together, which made the light very
bright.
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Poinsettias
Poinsettias are native to Mexico.
Today more than 52 million poinsettias are sold.
Poinsettias have a reputation for being a
Christmas flower.
Mexico began calling it the flower of the blessed
night.
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Santa Claus
He comes riding on a sleigh driven by the
reindeer led by Rudolph.
The origins of some of these Christmas customs
stretch back 2,000 years ago others are more
resent.
The man with a bag full of gifts and a smiley
face - this is our sweet Santa Claus.
The Dutch called him Sinter Klass.
The Dutch were the first to speak of a merry old
man in red and white clothes, with eight flying
reindeer.
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St.NiCholas
He made sure the poor got presents.
He was born in 280 A.D. (After the death of
Jesus).
He saved 3 sisters from slavery.
We celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6.
St. Nicholas is still well known in Georgia.
The children leave letters for him just like
Santa Claus.
The original St. Nicholas from Holland is
remembered by others who give gifts.
He leaves presents and candy in shoes and
stockings.
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Yule log
Also the ever green plants that do not die are
decorated with bangles and lights.
The word Yule means wheel.

They need a log large enough to burn for several
days.
Europe families burn a log to create warmth and
light to bring back the sun god.
Putting logs in the fire on Christmas dates back
to ancient times.
The belief is that green plants must contain some
of the sun gods special powers.
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Ways to say Merry Christmas
Danistayohihv Aliheli'sdi Itse
Udetiyvsadisv Cherokee
Afvcke Nettvcakorakko Creek
Merry Christmas Happy New Year
Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tahiab Hmong
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année! French
Colo sana wintom tiebeen Egyptian
Merry Christmas Happy New Year English
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Christmas Tree
The modern Christmas tree is believed to have
originated in Germany during the Middle Ages.
The Germans put candles on their trees.
Christmas trees are put in front yards, living
rooms, bedrooms, and on rooftops.
In the mid 16th century, they had Christmas
markets.
The first Christmas trees were sold
commercially in the United States.
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JESUS
Another name for Jesus is Wonderful Counselor.
A cows manger is where baby Jesus slept .
Christians believe Jesus is the son of God.
His mothers name was Mary.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of
Jesus.
Christmas celebrates Jesus' birthday.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the day
of Herod.
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Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was established in the 1966 to provide
an opportunity for the African Americans to
celebrate their heritage and reinforce positive
community values.
Kwanzaa is celebrated for 7 days beginning on
December 26th and ending on January first.
African Americans began celebrating the day
after Christmas.
Kwanzaa celebrates seven principles which
are Unity, Faith, Purpose, Collective Work and
Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Self
Determination, Creativity.
http//www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/kwanza/
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Hanukkah
The one day supply of olive oil lasted for eight
days. This is the miracle celebrated by Hanukkah.
Hanukkah is the annual Jewish festival.
Hanukkah also is known as the Festival of Lights.
The dates are determined by the Hebrew calendar.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
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Fruitcake
No one knows when the first fruitcake was made
(although its still with us).
In Europe during the 1700s, fruitcakes became
associated with religious holidays, birthdays,
and weddings.
The earliest recipe from ancient Rome lists
pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and raisins that
were mixed into barley mash.
Crusaders and hunters carried fruitcakes with
them as a nutrition.
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Decoration
Queen Victorias husband asked servants to
decorate a tree at Windsors Castle with sugared
fruit, candy, and small wrapped gifts.
Martin Luther is thought to have brought lights
to Christmas trees in the 16th century.
Saint Nicholas once dropped a few coins down a
chimney. They would have been lost in the ashes
if they hadnt fallen in a stocking.
The first commercial tree ornaments were sold at
Woolworths in 1880.
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CHRISTMAS
The real meaning of Christmas is Jesus' Birthday.
The end of December was the perfect time for
celebrations.
It was the only time of the year when people had
a supply of fresh meat.
Presents and gifts are not all Christmas is about.
People put lights up for Christmas Eve.
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Candy Canes
Many people have given meaning to the shape and
form of the candy cane.
One of the most often seen symbols of
Christmas is the candy cane.
The use of candy canes on Christmas Trees came to
the Americas by the 1800s.
Its shape is like the letter J in Jesus name.
The white of the candy represents the purity of
Jesus.
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Christmas Colors
Christmas has lots of green and red.
Gold stands for sunlight and radiance.
As with Christmas traditions there is no
clear-cut explanation why we associate
Christmas with red and green.
Christmas wouldnt be the same if the season were
colored in orange and purple instead of red and
green.
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Christmas Carols
Many Christmas carols were written in the 15th
century.
People get together and walk or ride to different
houses or to nursing homes.
According to one legend, the first carol was sung
by the angels at the birth of Jesus.
The person who invented Christmas Carols was
Charles Dickens.
We sing Christmas Carols because we want to
spread charity and good will to others.
About 100 years ago folks started going door to
door singing Carols.
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Mistletoe
It is hung from a door frame at Christmas time.
Some folks use it as good luck.







Mistletoe is an evergreen plant that grows in
the top of oak trees.
The custom is that people kiss under the
Mistletoe.
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Holly and Ivy
Holly and ivy are easy to use to decorate stairs
and fireplaces.
Holly and Ivy can be used as decorations.
Holly leaves symbolize the crown of thorns of
Christ and the drops of blood.
Holly trees can be found around the world.
Holly stays green in the Winter time, so it is
used for decorations.
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Christmas
Symbols
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year!!