LESSON TRANSCRIPT

Video Culture Class: American

Holidays #6
Christmas Day

# 6
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Hi everyone, I'm Alisha.
Christmas Day is celebrated on the 25th of December in the United States. T hough it
is a religious holiday for Christians, it's also a popular holiday with non-Christians, as
well. Parades, gift giving, holiday displays, and lights galore mark the arrival of
Christmas in the United States. It's a federal holiday and is observed by every US
state.
A famous American city associated with the American Revolution was not big on
celebrating Christmas until the middle of the 1800s. Can you guess which one?
We’ll show you the answer at the end of this video.
Christmas in the US involves a great many types of celebration. For Christians, it
means church services and social gatherings. Even people who do not celebrate the
religious aspects of the holiday tend to enjoy gift giving, having family gatherings, and
feasting together. For students, it means a long break from school or college and is a
popular time to go home and visit family.
Putting colorful lights on one's house is a very popular way to celebrate Christmas in
the US. Being the darkest time of year in the northern hemisphere, the holiday turns
into a celebration of lights, with complex—and sometimes very expensive—displays
decorating homes. Competitions for the best lighting setup are fun and common ways
to celebrate the holiday!
T he Christmas tree is another popular Christmas tradition in the US. Artificial or natural,
it's common to see a conifer tree decorating the living room of most homes. T he trees
are decorated with colorful lights and with ornaments that are oftentimes also family
heirlooms. T here's also a National Christmas T ree in the US, which is lit up by the
president at the beginning of December.
Christmas songs are very popular, as well. T here are traditional songs such as "Silent
Night" and "T he T welve Days of Christmas", along with many others. It was once
common to see carolers go door to door to sing Christmas carols, but now it's a rarity.
And now here's the answer to the quiz.
Do you know what famous American city associated with the American Revolution was
not big on celebrating Christmas until the middle of the 1800s?
T he Puritan Pilgrims who settled in New England did not approve of the celebration of
Christmas. It was actually banned in Boston until the late 1600s. Even after the ban
was lifted, Christmas in Boston didn't become popular until the middle of the 1800s!
T oday, Boston is lit up as much as is any other city during Christmas.
How was this lesson? Did you learn something interesting?
In what ways is Christmas celebrated in your country?
Please leave a comment at EnglishClass101.com
Until next time!

ENGLI S HCLAS S 101.COM VI DEO CULT URE CLAS S : AMERI CAN HOLI DAYS #6 - CHRI S T MAS DAY 2