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British Special Days 2018: December

Where does the word Christmas come from?

The word Christmas (or Christ’s Mass) comes from the Old English name “Cristes Maesse” – Christ’s Mass – and is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The first recorded observance occurred in Rome in AD360, but it wasn’t until AD440 that the Christian Church fixed a celebration date of 25 December.

How is Christmas celebrated in Britain?

Christmas is a truly magical season, bringing families and friends together to share the much loved customs and traditions.

What happens on Christmas Eve in Britain?

From 1870, children have hung up Christmas stockings at the ends of their beds or along the mantelpiece above the fireplace. Children hang Christmas stockings or bags up ready for Father Christmas, who will hopefully fill them up with presents, if the children have been good.

Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins while coming down the chimney. The coins would have fallen through the ash grate and been lost if they hadn’t landed in a stocking that had been hung out to dry. Since that time children have continued to hang out stockings in hopes of finding them filled with gifts.

When is Boxing Day?

In Britain, Boxing Day is usually celebrated on the following day after Christmas Day, which is 26 December. Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a public holiday. This means it is typically a non working day in the whole of Britain. When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday the following Monday is the public holiday.

Traditionally, 26 December was the day to open Christmas box to share the contents with the poor.

projectbritain.com

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