In this multicultural diverse society of ours, the meaning and celebration of Christmas takes many forms and manifestations. To address this issue, and try to provide satisfaction to mixed gathering of people at Christmas, have come up with some trivia/information about non-trivial matters pertaining to Christmas.
I.- How many two-word expressions can you come up with (about 15) that contain the word "CHRISTMAS" used mainly as adjective?
II.- Name some of the Christmas decorations; describing their symbolic meaning.
III.- Name cultural things and events that are somehow associated with Christmas
IV.- Give the Non-English Titles of some of the Christmas Carols.
Mention the Country of Origin of the Carols
V.- List the Well Known Religious Carols of American-English Origin
VI.- List the Non-Religious Carols Dedicated to the Christmas Season
VII.- Give and Explain the Dates Related to the Celebration of Christmas
VIII.- Mention the Old Testament Prophecies (about 6) Regarding the Birth of Jesus
IX.- What are Some of the Names Given to Jesus in Old Testament Prophecies (about 10)
X.- How is Santa Claus Known in Various Countries of the World
XI.- How Do You Say "Merry Christmas" in Other Languages. Give 10 Examples!
XII.- Identify All the Proper Names Associated with the Birth of Jesus;
Mentioning in what Capacity were They Associated with His Birth.
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I.- How many two-word expressions can you come up with (about 15) that contain the word "CHRISTMAS" used mainly as adjective?
Christmas tree Christmas lights Christmas cards Christmas carols Christmas gifts
Christmas wreath Christmas spirit Merry Christmas Christmas ornament/decorations
Christmas stocking, Christmas party Christmas holiday Christmas vacation
Christmas program Christmas Eve service
II.- Name some of the Christmas decorations; describing their symbolic meaning.
Christmas tree: Evergreen Christmas tree symbol of everlasting hope for mankind
The Star: The Symbol of God's promise for a savior
Candles: Christ is the light of the world
Wreath: Represents one continuous round of affection;
Christ's love never ceases.
Gifts: Magi brought gifts to the baby Jesus. More importantly,
God so loved the World that He gave his only Begotten Son!
Candy Cane: Represents the cane of "the good shepherd" [Jesus]
Angels: The heavenly host heralded Jesus' birth:
"Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will towards men"
Bells: Just as in the case of the sheep, lost mankind is called to return to the safe fold.
III.- Name cultural things and events that are somehow associated with Christmas
Santa Claus, Eggnog, Creche (Nativity Scene), Fruit Cake, Nutcracker Suite,
Poinsettia, New Year's, Christmas Parades, Christmas Pageants, Family Gatherings,
Garlands, Holly and Ivy, Mistletoe, Christmas Meals: turkey, fish, lamb, ham, etc.
IV.- Give the Non-English Titles of some of the Christmas Carols.
Mention the Country of Origin of the Carols:
ADESTE FIDELIS [Latin] (O Come, All Ye Faithful) Originated from England
STILLE NACHT! HEILIGE NACHT! (Silent Night, Holy Night) Originated from Austria
O TANNENBAUM (O Christmas Tree) Originated from Germany
LES ANGES DAN NOS COMPAGNES (Angels We Have Heard on High) Originated from France
UN FLAMBEAU JEANNETTE, ISABELLE (Bring a Torch Jeannette, Isabella) Originated from France
CANTIQUE DE NOEL (O Holy Night) Originated from France
IN DULCI JUBILO [Latin] (Good Christian Men Rejoice) Originated from Italy
VENI, VENI EMANUEL (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) Originated from France
PANIS ANGELICUS [Latin] Written by Thomas Aquinas
AGNES DEI (The Lamb of God) Originated from Italy
FELIZ NAVIDAD (Merry Christmas) Hispanic origin
CAROL OF THE BELLS. Ukrainian origin
V.- List the Well Known Religious Carols of American-English Origin
Joy to the world. written by Isaac Watts
Hark the Harold Angels Sing. written by Charles Wesley
The First Noel [Nowell]. Originated from England
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Originated from England
I Saw Three Ships on Christmas Day. Originated from England
We Three Kings of the Orient Are. Originated from America
While Shepherd Watched. Originated from England
O Little Town of Bethlehem. Originated from America
Angels From The Realms of Glory. Irish Carol
Go Tell it on the Mountain. American Negro
We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Originated from England
VI.- List the Non-Religious Carols Dedicated to the Christmas Season
Winter Wonderland
White Christmas
Jingle Bells
The Little Drummer Boy
Good King Winceslas
Deck the Halls
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas
Silver Bells
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Home for the Holidays
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The Holly and the Ivy
VII.- Give and Explain the Dates Related to the Celebration of Christmas
December 25 is the date when Western Christianity celebrates Christmas.
It is carryover from the pagan cult holiday Sol Invictus.
January 7 is the date when Eastern Christianity celebrates Christmas.
[The 13 days difference is due to using the Julian calendar (vs Gregorian)]
January 6 is the date that Armenian Apostolic church celebrates Christmas.
[January 6 is the Epiphany date for the rest of Christendom]
January 19 is when Jerusalem Armenians celebrate Christmas based on Julian calendar.
VIII.- Mention the Old Testament Prophecies (about 6) Regarding the Birth of Jesus
- Savior will be born from the Woman's seed
- The Virgin will give birth to the savior
- Will be born in Bethlehem [City of David]
- From the Tribe of Judah
- Descendant of King David
- Bethlehem children will be killed [did upon order of King Herod]
- Jesus would live temporarily in Egypt [family will return when safe]
IX.- What are Some of the Names Given to Jesus in Old Testament Prophecies (about 10)
Emmanuel [God with us]
Counselor
Wonderful
Savior (*)
Seed of David
Almighty God
Everlasting Father
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
Prince of Peace
(*) Jesus = Yehoshua [Yahweh/Jehova + Yasha (to save) ]
{The Old Testament name Joshua has the same root in Hebrew}
X.- How is Santa Claus Known in Various Countries of the World
Gaghant Baba (Armenian)
Sinterklaas (Dutch)
Pere Noel (French)
Father Christmas (UK)
Weihnachtmann (Germany)
Kanakaloka (Hawaii)
Babbo Natale (Italian)
Daidi ra Nollaig (Irish)
Ded Moroz (Russian: Grandfather Frost)
Dzmer Babig (Soviet era Armenians)
Saint Nick
Kris Kringle (KristKindl)
XI.- How Do You Say "Merry Christmas" in Other Languages. Give 10 Examples!
Shnorhavor Sourp Dznount (Armenian)
Feliz Navidad (Spanish)
Joyeux Noel (French)
Froehliche Weihnachten (German)
Kala Christouyenna! (Greek)
E'id Milad Sa'eed (Arabic)
Buone Feste Natalizie
Natali Hilare (Latin)
Merry Kehmish (Navaho)
Schaslivovo Rozhdestva (Russian)
Noelinis Kutlu Olsun (Turkish)
XII.- Identify All the Proper Names Associated with the Birth of Jesus;
Mentioning in what Capacity were They Associated with His Birth.
GABRIEL: The archangel who announced the immaculate conception to Mary
AUGUSTUS: The Roman Empire Caesar who proclaimed the general census
QUIRINIUS: The Roman Governor of Syria
HEROD: The pro-Roman Jewish king; who ordered all male children killed
MARY: The virgin betrothal of Joseph who gave birth to Jesus via immaculate conception
JOSEPH: The fiance of Mary, who was understanding and protective of Jesus' birth
KING DAVID: His lineage goes down to Mary; thus ensuring royal blood of Judah
BALTHAZAR, MELCHIOR, CASPAR: Per tradition those were names of the three magi...
ELISABETH: The cousin of Mary, who was also pregnant at the time to John (The Baptist)
SHNORHAVOR SOURP DZNOUNT!