Kategorie: FKC

• a brief history

Many countries celebrate the New Year as a time for a new start. People think about the past year and make plans for the next one. They hope for good health, happiness, and success. Families and friends often celebrate together.

The idea of celebrating the New Year is very old. About 4,000 years ago, the Babylonians in Mesopotamia had a festival called Akitu. It took place in March and lasted several days. This festival was connected to farming and the start of spring. People gave gifts to their gods and showed respect to their king.

In ancient Egypt, the New Year was also linked to nature. It began when the Nile River flooded. The flood made the land good for farming. At the same time, a bright star called Sirius appeared in the sky. This was an important sign for the Egyptians.

In ancient Rome, the New Year first began in March. Later, in 46 BCE, Julius Caesar changed the calendar. He made January 1 the start of the year. This day honored Janus, the god of beginnings and endings. Janus looked to the past and the future. [more details below (1)]

During the Middle Ages, different countries in Europe celebrated the New Year on different dates. After the Gregorian calendar began in 1582, January 1 became the common New Year’s Day. [more details below (2)]

Today, people around the world celebrate the New Year with parties, fireworks, food, and family time. It is a special moment full of hope and new plans.

____________________

Vocabulary:

• to celebrate: to do something special and be happy for a day or event
• to make a plan: to decide what you will do in the future
• health: how well your body feels and works
• success: when you do something well or get what you want
• a festival: a special day or time with celebrations
• to take place: to happen
• to last several days: to continue for many days
• to connect to farming: to be about growing food from the land
• spring (season): the season after winter and before summer
• a gift: something you give to another person
• to show respect to somebody: to be kind and polite to someone
• ancient: very old, from a long time ago
• to be linked to nature: to be connected to the natural world
• to flood: when water covers the land
• a bright star: a star that shines very strongly
• to appear: to be seen
• the sky: the space above the earth
• BCE (before common era): a time before the year 1
• to change: to make something different
• to honor somebody: to show that someone is important
• hope: a good feeling about the future

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Appendix:

(1)Julius Caesar changed the New Year to January 1 because he wanted a better calendar.

The old calendar was confusing [to be hard to understand]. The months did not match the seasons [to be right for the time of year]. This caused problems [to make things difficult or wrong]for farming and for the government.

January was a good time to start new things. It was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Roman leaders also started their work in January.

So Julius Caesar made January 1 the start of the year to make life easier and more clear.

################

(2) During the Middle Ages [the time in Europe a long time ago, between the old Roman times and modern times, about 500–1500 AD], there was no one calendar in Europe.
Each country used its own rules [things you must do or follow], so the New Year started on different days. This was confusing [to be difficult to understand or not clear]for people, travel, and work.

In 1582, a new calendar began. It was called the Gregorian calendar.
This calendar was clear and better. It helped people count [to say numbers one by one or know how many things there are]days and years in the same way.

With this new calendar, January 1 became the start of the year.
Slowly, many countries followed this rule.

That is why January 1 became the common New Year’s Day in Europe.

################

• How a Christmas song became famous everywhere

I was on vacation in Southeast Asia. There, at the beginning of December, I already heard Christmas songs all the time in pizzerias, restaurants, and hotels.
The most famous one was “Silent Night, Holy Night.”
Here is the background story of the song that went around the world.

#################

Long ago, in 1818, there was a small village in the countryside of Austria. The village was quiet and poor. People lived simple lives and worked hard.

In this village lived a young priest named Joseph Mohr. He liked writing poems. One cold winter, he wrote a poem about peace, night, and the birth of Jesus. The poem was called “Silent Night.”

Joseph Mohr had a friend, Franz Xaver Gruber. Franz was a teacher and a music maker. He played the organ and loved music.

On Christmas Eve, there was a problem. The organ in the church was broken. The people were sad because there would be no music for the Christmas service.

Joseph Mohr went to Franz Gruber and asked for help. He showed him the poem and said, “Can you write music for this? We need a song for tonight.”

Franz Gruber wrote a simple melody. They played the song with a guitar, not an organ. That night, the song was sung for the first time in the small church.

The song was calm and beautiful. People loved it. Later, travelers and singers took the song to other countries. Step by step, “Silent Night” went around the world.

Today, people sing this song in many languages, even far away from its quiet countryside home.

_________________________

Vocabulary:

vacation – time when you do not work or go to school

background story – a story about how something begins

countryside – land outside the city, with farms and villages

a poem – short text with feelings and rhythm

peace – no war, feeling calm and safe

a music maker – a person who makes music

to play an organ – to make music with a big church instrument

to be broken – not working

to be sad – not happy

a Christmas service – a church meeting at Christmas

a guitar – a music instrument with strings

to be sung – people sing it

to be calm – quiet and peaceful

a traveler – a person who goes to other places

step by step – little by little

a language – words people use to speak

It is Christmas Eve. Snow falls from the dark sky. The mountains are white and quiet. The forest is still. The air is cold and clean.

In a small house on the mountain, a family is ready to go out. The lamp gives warm light. Mother puts bread in a cloth. Father takes the lantern. The children put on coats and hats. Everyone feels calm.

They walk into the night. Snow is deep on the path. Their steps make a soft sound. The path goes down through the forest. Tall trees stand on both sides. Snow rests on the branches.

No one speaks. The night feels peaceful. Far away, the church bell rings. The sound comes slowly through the cold air. It shows the way.

Other people walk on the mountain too. Small lights move in the dark. All go to the same place.

Soon the church appears. The windows shine with warm light. Inside, candles burn. People sit close together. They sing simple songs. The sound is gentle and warm.

The story of the child is told. Everyone listens. Hearts feel quiet and full.

After the service, they go outside. Snow still falls. The path home is white and clean. They walk back up the mountain. The night feels kind. The light stays with them.

_________________________

Vocabulary:

an eve (Christmas Eve) – The day or evening before Christmas.
a sky – The big space above us. It is blue in the day and dark with stars at night.
a mountain – A very big and high hill.
to be quiet – To not make noise. To be still and silent.
a forest – A big place with many trees.
bread – Food made from flour and water. We bake it.
a cloth – A piece of fabric. We use it to clean or cover things.
a lantern – A small light you can carry. It has glass around the light.
a coat – A warm jacket for cold weather.
to feel calm – To feel quiet and happy inside. No worry.
a path – A small road for walking.
a soft sound – A very quiet and nice sound.
snow rests on branches – Snow sits quietly on tree branches.
peaceful – Very calm and quiet. No problems.
church bells ring – Big bells in a church make a loud „ding-dong“ sound.
to appear – To come and be seen.
to shine – To make light or be very bright.
a candle – A stick of wax with a string inside. It makes light when it burns.
to burn – To have fire and make light or heat.
to be gently (gently) – In a soft and kind way.
a service (church) – A meeting in church with prayers and songs.

################

Answers:
1m 2f 3h 4l 5j 6u 7b 8e 9g
10n 11d 12k 13o 14p 15c 16r
17a 18s 19i 20t 21q

______________________

Correct answers:

a sky – The big space above us. It is blue in the day and dark with stars at night.
peaceful – Very calm and quiet. No problems.
a candle – A stick of wax with a string inside. It makes light when it burns.
a path – A small road for walking.
bread – Food made from flour and water. We bake it.
to appear – To come and be seen.
a forest – A big place with many trees.
to be quiet – To not make noise. To be still and silent.
a coat – A warm jacket for cold weather.
church bells ring – Big bells in a church make a loud „ding-dong“ sound.
a lantern – A small light you can carry. It has glass around the light.
snow rests on branches – Snow sits quietly on tree branches.
to feel calm – To feel quiet and happy inside. No worry.
a mountain – A very big and high hill.
an eve (Christmas Eve) – The day or evening before Christmas.
a cloth – A piece of fabric. We use it to clean or cover things.
a soft sound – A very quiet and nice sound.
to shine – To make light or be very bright.
to burn – To have fire and make light or heat.
a service (church) – A meeting in church with prayers and songs.
to be gently (gently) – In a soft and kind way.

##################

True or false:

1. Snow continues to fall after the church service ends.
2. The mother packs bread in a wooden basket.
3. The father carries a lantern when they leave.
4. The night is described as peaceful and kind.
5. The children refuse to go outside because it is too cold.
6. Other people on the mountain carry small lights.
7. Inside the church, people sit close together and sing.
8. The family walks through a forest covered in snow.
9. The forest is loud and full of animals.
10. Church bells ring far away in the night.
11. The family stays inside the church until morning.
12. The mother puts bread in a cloth.
13. The children put on coats and hats.
14. The story takes place on a warm summer evening.

______________

True:
1,3,4,6,7,8,1012,13
______________

Correct version:

Snow continues to fall after the church service ends.

The mother packs bread in a wooden basket. True is: The mother puts bread in a cloth.

The father carries a lantern when they leave.

The night is described as peaceful and kind.

The children refuse to go outside because it is too cold. True is: The children put on coats and hats and go outside calmly.

Other people on the mountain carry small lights.

Inside the church, people sit close together and sing.

The family walks through a forest covered in snow.

The forest is loud and full of animals. True is: The forest is still and quiet.

Church bells ring far away in the night.

The family stays inside the church until morning. True is: After the service, the family goes outside.

The mother puts bread in a cloth.

The children put on coats and hats.

The story takes place on a warm summer evening. True is: The story takes place on a cold winter night with snow.

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Mulitple choice, one answer correct:

1. What does the father carry?
   a) Lantern
   b) Bread
   c) Hat
2. How is the forest described?
   a) Still and quiet
   b) Loud and noisy
   c) Dark and scary
3. What does the mother take with her?
   a) Candle
   b) Bread in a cloth
   c) Lantern
4. How is the path to the church?
   a) Rocky
   b) Deep with snow
   c) Muddy
5. What do other people carry on the mountain?
   a) Lanterns
   b) Small lights
   c) Bags
6. What sound is heard far away in the night?
   a) Dog barking
   b) Wind
   c) Church bell
7. How are the church windows?
   a) Shine with warm light
   b) Dark
   c) Broken
8. What do people do inside the church?
   a) Sit alone
   b) Run around
   c) Sing and sit close together
9. How does the family feel after the church?
   a) Hungry
   b) Excited
   c) Calm and peaceful
10. What is the season in the story?
    a) Summer
    b) Winter
    c) Spring
11. How do the children dress before going outside?
    a) Put on coats and hats
    b) Wear summer clothes
    c) Take no clothes
12. What rests on the branches of the trees?
    a) Leaves
    b) Flowers
    c) Snow
13. How is the night described as they walk?
    a) Dark and scary
    b) Peaceful and kind
    c) Noisy
14. Who sits close together inside the church?
    a) The family only
    b) People
    c) Nobody
15. How do the steps sound on the snowy path?
    a) Soft
    b) Loud
    c) Silent

_______________

Answers:

1a, 2a, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6c,
7a, 8c, 9c, 10b, 11a,
12c, 13b, 14b, 15a

______________

Correct version:

1. What does the father carry? – a) Lantern
2. How is the forest described? – a) Still and quiet
3. What does the mother take with her? – b) Bread in a cloth
4. How is the path to the church? – b) Deep with snow
5. What do other people carry on the mountain? – b) Small lights
6. What sound is heard far away in the night? – c) Church bell
7. How are the church windows? – a) Shine with warm light
8. What do people do inside the church? – c) Sing and sit close together
9. How does the family feel after the church? – c) Calm and peaceful
10. What is the season in the story? – b) Winter
11. How do the children dress before going outside? – a) Put on coats and hats
12. What rests on the branches of the trees? – c) Snow
13. How is the night described as they walk? – b) Peaceful and kind
14. Who sits close together inside the church? – b) People
15. How do the steps sound on the snowy path? – a) Soft

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Fill in, words below:

still –
path – lantern –
sing – church – coats –
shine – clean – snow – dark – mountains
– bread – snowy –
lights

Snow falls from the __________ sky.

The __________ are white and quiet.

The forest is __________ .

The air is cold and __________.

The mother puts _________ in a cloth.

The father takes the __________.

The children put on __________ and hats.

The family walks down the __________ path.

Tall trees stand on both sides of the ________.

__________ rests on the branches.

Far away, the __________ bell rings.

Other people carry small __________ on the mountain.

The church windows __________with warm light.

Inside, people ________ simple songs.

——————————

Correct version:

1. Snow falls from the dark sky.
2. The mountains are white and quiet.
3. The forest is still.
4. The air is cold and clean.
5. The mother puts bread in a cloth.
6. The father takes the lantern.
7. The children put on coats and hats.
8. The family walks down the snowy path.
9. Tall trees stand on both sides of the path.
10. Snow rests on the branches.
11. Far away, the church bell rings.
12. Other people carry small lights on the mountain.
13. The church windows shine with warm light.
14. Inside, people sing simple songs.

################

Appendix:

The Christmas tree is a popular symbol of Christmas.
Long ago, people in Europe used evergreen trees in winter to show life and hope.
In the 16th century, German Christians started putting trees in their homes and decorating them with apples, candles, and small gifts.
A famous story says that Martin Luther added candles to a tree to look like stars.
In the 19th century, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made Christmas trees popular in Britain.
German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States, and it spread quickly.
Today, Christmas trees are decorated with lights, ornaments, and stars. They are a symbol of joy, family, and celebration during the Christmas season.
______________________
popular – liked by many people

evergreen trees – trees that have green leaves all year

hope – a feeling that good things will happen

to decorate – to make something look nice

a candle – a stick that gives light when it burns

a gift – something you give to someone

to add – to put something with something else

a star – a bright thing in the sky at night

an immigrant – a person who moves to another country

to spread – to put something over a surface or share it with others

an ornament – a small thing used to make something beautiful

joy – a feeling of happiness

a celebration – a special event for something happy

a season – one part of the year (like winter, summer, spring, or autumn)

Christmas in Europe and the USA

Christmas is a popular holiday in many countries. In Europe, Christmas is often celebrated on December 24th, the evening before Christmas Day. People have a big family dinner. They give gifts and enjoy time together. In some countries, there are Christmas markets, lights, and decorations. Many people go to church. Children enjoy traditions like Saint Nicholas or nativity scenes.

In the USA, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. People wake up in the morning to open presents from Santa Claus. Families have special meals and spend time together. Houses and streets have many lights and decorations. People also have parties with friends and neighbors. Shopping and gifts are very important.

Even if people are not Christian, they can celebrate Christmas for fun and family time. Christmas brings people together. In Europe, the evening of December 24th is special, while in the USA, December 25th is the main day. Both places celebrate with love, joy, and happiness.

__________________

Vocabulary:

• A country – a place where people live with the same government [the group of people who make rules and take care of a country].
• To celebrate – to do something special because of an event or holiday.
• A gift – something you give to someone to show love or friendship.
• To enjoy time together – to like being with friends or family.
• A Christmas market – a place with shops, food, and lights at Christmas.
• To go to church – to visit a building to pray or for religious events.
• To enjoy traditions – to like doing the same activities every year.
• Nativity scenes – models or pictures of the birth of Jesus.
• To wake up – to stop sleeping and open your eyes in the morning.
• To open presents – to take gifts out of wrapping paper.
• A neighbor – a person who lives near you.
• For fun – to do something to enjoy yourself.
• Family time – time spent with your parents, children, or relatives.
• Joy – a feeling of great happiness.
• Happiness – a feeling of being happy or content.

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Match the word/s with the correct definition:

1. A country
2. To celebrate
3. A gift
4. To enjoy time together
5. A Christmas market
6. To go to church
7. To enjoy traditions
8. Nativity scenes
9. To wake up
10. To open presents
11. A neighbor
12. For fun
13. Family time
14. Joy
15. Happiness
16. Government

Definitions:

a. Something you give to someone to show love or friendship
b. A feeling of being happy or content
c. To do something special because of an event or holiday
d. People who live near you
e. Time spent with your parents, children, or relatives
f. To stop sleeping and open your eyes in the morning
g. A place where people live with the same rules and leaders
h. To like being with friends or family
i. A feeling of great happiness
j. To take gifts out of wrapping paper
k. A place with shops, food, and lights at Christmas
l. To visit a building to pray or for religious events
m. To like doing the same activities every year
n. Models or pictures of the birth of Jesus
o. To do something to enjoy yourself
p. The group of people who make rules and take care of a country

____________________
Answers:
1→g, 2→c, 3→a, 4→h, 5→k,
6→l, 7→m, 8→n, 9→f, 10→j, 11→d,
12→o, 13→e, 14→i, 15→b, 16→p

___________________
Correct version:

A country – a place where people live with the same government
To celebrate – to do something special because of an event or holiday
A gift – something you give to someone to show love or friendship
To enjoy time together – to like being with friends or family
A Christmas market – a place with shops, food, and lights at Christmas
To go to church – to visit a building to pray or for religious events
To enjoy traditions – to like doing the same activities every year
Nativity scenes – models or pictures of the birth of Jesus
To wake up – to stop sleeping and open your eyes in the morning
To open presents – to take gifts out of wrapping paper
A neighbor – a person who lives near you
For fun – to do something to enjoy yourself
Family time – time spent with your parents, children, or relatives
Joy – a feeling of great happiness
Happiness – a feeling of being happy or content
Government – the group of people who make rules and take care of a country

#################

Multiple-choice, one answer correct:

1. A country
a. people who live near you
b. to take gifts out of paper
c. a place with rules

2. To celebrate
a. to like being with friends
b. to do something special
c. to feel happy

3. A gift
a. something you give
b. a place with shops
c. to stop sleeping

4. To enjoy time together
a. to like being with friends
b. to do something fun
c. to visit a building

5. A Christmas market
a. time with your family
b. a place with shops
c. models of Jesus’ birth

6. To go to church
a. to stop sleeping
b. something you give
c. to visit a building to pray

7. To enjoy traditions
a. to feel happy
b. to do the same things every year
c. to open presents

8. Nativity scenes
a. a place with leaders
b. people who make rules
c. models of Jesus’ birth

9. To wake up
a. to start the day
b. to feel happy
c. to open your eyes

10. To open presents
a. to enjoy your gifts
b. to like being with friends
c. to take gifts out of paper

11. A neighbor
a. a person who lives near you
b. to feel happy
c. to visit a building

12. For fun
a. to do something to enjoy yourself
b. something you give
c. to feel happy

13. Family time
a. a place with shops
b. time with your parents or children
c. to spend time together

14. Joy
a. to enjoy life
b. to do something special
c. a feeling of happiness

15. Happiness
a. to like doing the same things every year
b. to feel good
c. a feeling of content [feeling happy and satisfied]

16. Government
a. people who make rules
b. a place with leaders
c. to like being with friends

______________________

Answers:

1c 2b 3a 4a 5b 6c 7b 8c 9c
10c 11a 12a 13b 14c 15c 16a
______________________

Correct version:

A country – a place with rules

To celebrate – to do something special

A gift – something you give

To enjoy time together – to like being with friends

A Christmas market – a place with shops

To go to church – to visit a building to pray

To enjoy traditions – to do the same things every year

Nativity scenes – models of Jesus’ birth

To wake up – to open your eyes

To open presents – to enjoy your gifts

A neighbor – a person who lives near you

For fun – to do something to enjoy yourself

Family time – time with your parents or children

Joy – a feeling of happiness

Happiness – a feeling of content

Government – people who make rules

##############

Fill in, words below:

market – presents – country – joy –
traditions – gift – nativity – visit –
enjoy – celebrate –
church -wake up

1. I live in a __________ with many people.
2. Every year we __________ Christmas with my family.
3. I have a __________ for my best friend at school.
4. I __________ time with my family in the evening.
5. We go to the Christmas __________ to see lights and food.
6. On Sunday, I go to __________ with my parents.
7. I like Christmas __________ like singing and eating together.
8. I see __________ scenes in my home and at the market.
9. I __________ early on Christmas morning and feel happy.
10. I open __________ with my family after breakfast.
11. My neighbor comes to __________ us and we talk a lot.
12. Family time brings __________ and makes me feel happiness.

____________________

Correct version:

1. I live in a country with many people.
2. Every year we celebrate Christmas with my family.
3. I have a gift for my best friend at school.
4. I enjoy time with my family in the evening.
5. We go to the Christmas market to see lights and food.
6. On Sunday, I go to church with my parents.
7. I like Christmas traditions like singing and eating together.
8. I see nativity scenes in my home and at the market.
9. I wake up early on Christmas morning and feel happy.
10. I open presents with my family after breakfast.
11. My neighbor comes to visit us and we talk a lot.
12. Family time brings joy and makes me feel happiness.

################

True or false:

1. A neighbor is a person who lives far away.
2. To open presents means to take gifts out of paper.
3. To wake up means to open your eyes in the morning.
4. A Christmas market is a place with shops and food.
5. Family time gives joy and happiness.
6. A gift is something you give to someone.
7. We go to church to eat food.
8. To enjoy traditions means to do the same things every year.
9. A country is a place where people live.
10. We celebrate Christmas by sleeping all day.
11. To enjoy time together means to like being with friends or family.
12. Nativity scenes are pictures of animals only.

________________________
Answers:
1F 2T 3T 4T 5T 6T 7F
8T 9T 10F 11T 12F

________________________

Correct version:

1. A neighbor is a person who lives far away. True is: A neighbor is a person who lives near you.
2. To open presents means to take gifts out of paper.
3. To wake up means to open your eyes in the morning.
4. A Christmas market is a place with shops and food.
5. Family time gives joy and happiness.
6. A gift is something you give to someone.
7. We go to church to eat food. True is: We go to church to pray.
8. To enjoy traditions means to do the same things every year.
9. A country is a place where people live.
10. We celebrate Christmas by sleeping all day. True is: We celebrate Christmas with family and fun.
11. To enjoy time together means to like being with friends or family.
12. Nativity scenes are pictures of animals only. True is: Nativity scenes are models of the birth of Jesus.

#################

Fill in:

1. I like to _________ time with my family.
   a. enjoy
   b. wake up
   c. give
2. Every year we _________ Christmas with friends and family.
   a. gift
   b. celebrate
   c. neighbor
3. I have a _________ for my friend.
   a. country
   b. joy
   c. gift
4. We go to the _________ to pray on Sunday.
   a. market
   b. neighbor
   c. church
5. A _________ is a person who lives near you.
   a. neighbor
   b. government
   c. happiness
6. I wake up early on Christmas morning to _________ my presents.
   a. enjoy
   b. open
   c. celebrate
7. Nativity scenes are _________ of the birth of Jesus.
   a. neighbors
   b. gifts
   c. models
8. We like to go to the Christmas _________ to see lights and food.
   a. family time
   b. happiness
   c. market
9. _________ is a feeling of great happiness.
   a. gift
   b. joy
   c. country
10. The _________ makes rules for the country.
    a. neighbor
    b. government
    c. Christmas

____________________

Correct version:

1. I like to enjoy time with my family.
2. Every year we celebrate Christmas with friends and family.
3. I have a gift for my friend.
4. We go to the church to pray on Sunday.
5. A neighbor is a person who lives near you.
6. I wake up early on Christmas morning to open my presents.
7. Nativity scenes are models of the birth of Jesus.
8. We like to go to the Christmas market to see lights and food.
9. Joy is a feeling of great happiness.
10. The government makes rules for the country.

##############

Unscramble the words – which phrase are we looking for?

###############

Fill in, words below:

feel – church – celebrate – family –
presents – market –
nativity – brothers

I __________ Christmas with my family every year. I wake up early on Christmas morning and open my __________. I enjoy time together with my parents and _________. We eat a big meal and sometimes go to __________ to pray. I like Christmas traditions and look at __________ scenes. We sometimes go to the Christmas __________ and see lights and food. I give gifts to my friends and neighbors. Christmas makes me __________ joy and happiness. It is a very special day for my __________ and me.

——————————–

Correct version:

I celebrate Christmas with my family every year. I wake up early on Christmas morning and open my presents. I enjoy time together with my parents and brothers. We eat a big meal and sometimes go to church to pray. I like Christmas traditions and look at nativity scenes. We sometimes go to the Christmas market and see lights and food. I give gifts to my friends and neighbors. Christmas makes me feel joy and happiness. It is a very special day for my family and me.

###################

Now tell about Akaiko, and how she celebrates Christmas.

Start with

>>>>>>>>Akaiko celebrates Christmas with her family………

make all changes necessary!

I celebrate Christmas with my family every year. I wake up early on Christmas morning and open my presents. I enjoy time together with my parents and brothers. We eat a big meal and sometimes go to church to pray. I like Christmas traditions and look at nativity scenes. We sometimes go to the Christmas market and see lights and food. I give gifts to my friends and neighbors. Christmas makes me feel joy and happiness. It is a very special day for my family and me.

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Correct version:

Akaiko celebrates Christmas with her family every year. She wakes up early on Christmas morning and opens her presents. She enjoys time together with her parents and brothers. They eat a big meal and sometimes go to church to pray. Akaiko likes Christmas traditions and looks at nativity scenes. They sometimes go to the Christmas market and see lights and food. She gives gifts to her friends and neighbors. Christmas makes her feel joy and happiness. It is a very special day for her family and Akaiko.

Bonustext (A2)

Christmas was not always celebrated with a tree and presents. These traditions started slowly over many years.

The Christmas tree began in Germany in the late 1400s and 1500s. People used evergreen trees because they stayed green in winter. At first, trees were decorated with apples, nuts, and candles. In 1605, there is a written record of a Christmas tree in a home in Strasbourg. During the 1800s, the tradition spread to other countries in Europe. It became very popular in Britain after Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert showed a Christmas tree in the royal family. Later, the tradition spread to North America.

The tradition of giving presents is older. It comes from the story of the Wise Men, who gave gifts to baby Jesus. In the Middle Ages, people often gave gifts on St. Nicholas’ Day in early December, not on Christmas Day. Over time, gift-giving moved to Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

By the 19th century, families began to celebrate Christmas with both a tree and presents together. This is when Christmas started to look like it does today.