green prism The Origins of Christmas - Cultural Language - A British Christmas - Created Saturday, 12th December 2009

This English language video lesson looks back in time to the ancient festivals that came before Christmas. The pagan Yule festival and the Roman Saturnalia being the most important.

It explains the importance of the Winter Solstice and the reason we celebrate Christmas on December 25th. It also gives the other names of Christmas that you will meet in English – Yule, Xmas, Noel and Yuletide.

It answers that question that has always puzzled English speakers – why do we say Xmas?

This lesson is part one of a five part series looking at the British Christmas.

Watch and Listen videos have no on-screen words to help your listening skill development.

  1. The Origins of Christmas | Watch and Listen
  2. The Symbols of Christmas | Watch and Listen
  3. Father Christmas | Watch and Listen
  4. The Death and Rebirth of Christmas | Watch and Listen
  5. Christmas Food | Watch and Listen

The video lessons use words, sounds and images to help you learn not only the vocabulary of Christmas, but also the interesting history of this most popular of festivals.

  1. Watch the video.
  2. Read the text beneath the video.
  3. Record Your Own Voice and Compare. (Members Only)

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