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Christmas Posters
for the classroom, home schoolers, and theme decor for offices.
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educational posters > social studies > theology > Christianity > Christmas posters < December Teachable Moments
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Merry Christmas
Froehliche Weihnachten
Buone Feste Natalizie
Natale hilare
Feliz Navidad
Joyeux Noel
Feliz Natal
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Christmas is the annual Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, on whose teaching the Christian religion is based. The word Christmas is from the Old English and is a contraction of 'Christ's mass'. When written as Xmas it is because the X resembles the Greek letter 'chi', an abbreviation for Christ.
Celebrating Christmas on December 25 (January 7 for Eastern Orthodox Christianity) is related to the practice of adapting the relatively new Christian faith to already established Roman and Germanic holidays as conversions took place. The pagan holidays marked the winter solstice, the time when the sun, which appeared to be sinking in the sky, reverses and ascends signaling that winter will end and life will return, an appropriate symbolism for Jesus.
Many of the traditions associated with modern Christianity such as the Christmas tree, the yule log, and mistletoe are from northern Europe. The wreath, a circular garland with origins in Egyptian, Greek and Roman traditions, is woven with holly, a symbol of goodwill and friendship at Christmas time.
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| Also see seasonal Observances and Events lists - November | December | January |
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The Magi (word related to magic) were astrologists, very early astronomers, who studied the motion of the stars, and might be considered early pyschologists as they also helped intrepret dreams; they were considered wise by the people who relied on them to prepare for future events.
The Magi were following a celestial phenonmena and only learned of the Jewish prophecies about a star appearing that would indicate the arrival of a Messiah, from King Herod. The Magi's visit is celebrated on Epiphany, a Christian feast celebrated on January 6 (Twelve Days of Christmas). The Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, was already an established celebration.
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Giotto di Bondone, circa 1305, shows a comet representing the star of Bethlehem.
Check with your local planetarium for various astronomical explanations of the star story.
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The Holy Family,
Joseph, Mary & Jesus
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The Shepherds of Bethlehem Learn That Jesus Has Been Born
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Merry Christmas, Angels Admiring Baby Jesus
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The tradition of gift giving to children is personified in Santa Claus whose contemporary image as a large, jolly man in a red suit was created by Clement C. Moore, the author of the famous lines 'Twas the night before Christmas...' Santa is based on a real life man by the name of Nicholas who was born in Turkey during the 4th century and was known for his devotion to Christianity, his generousity to the poor and love of children. When Nicholas was canonized he became known as Saint Nicholas which evolved into Santa Claus.
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Santa Claus putting toys in stocking probably could be traced to the tradition of St. Nicholas putting treats in the wooden shoes of Dutch children.
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Yule is the winter solstice celebration of Germanic culture and the term has become synonymous with Christmas.
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