Christmas

Chrstmas Wreath

One of my friends has said that Americans 'go big' at Christmas time. That's why today we're gonna have a closer look at the history of Xmas celebrations in America. 

Nativity

The word CHRISTMAS comes from Old English Crīstesmæsse, meaning "Christ's Mass". Christmas is also called Nativity, Yule or Xmas. It is an annual commemoration (corocznym upamiętnieniem) of the birth of Jesus Christ generaly celebrated on  December 25th .  December 24th is Christmas Eve (Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia) and although in Poland it is probably one of the most important holidays, or evenings, in Anglo-Saxon countries it is of less importance (ma mniejszą wagę).

The pilgrims (pielgrzymi) who came to America in 1620 were very orthodox in their Puritan beliefs (purytańskie wierzenia), which meant not celebrating Christmas and therefore (zatem) it wasn't a holiday in early America. The Puritans made it illegal to mention (wspominać) St. Nicolas' name. People were not allowed to (nie było im wolno) exchange gifts (wymieniać się podarkami) or sing Christmas carols (kolędy bożonarodzeniowe). Between 1659 and 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed (zakazana) in Boston. If you had showed the Christmas spirit (duch świąt Bożego Narodzenia) then, you would definitely have been fined (ukarany grzywną) for it. By contrast, it was reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all in the Jamestown settlemnet (osada). 

 In the 17th century Dutch immigrants brought with them the legend of Sinter Klaas and in 1773 Santa first appeared in the media as St. A Claus. It was also the Dutch who brought the custom (zwyczaj) of gift-giving to America.

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favour (wypadły z łask), including (włączając) Christmas. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26th , 1870.

Americans began to embrace (przyjmować; zostawać zwolennikiem) Christmas only in the 19th century. The beginning of century witnessed (było świadkiem) a period of turmoil (zgiełk; wrzawa) and conflict. During the time, the unemployment (bezrobocie) was high and during Christmas people often protested and rioted (buntowali się). In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city's first police force (służby policyjne) in response to (w odpowiedzi na) a Christmas riot. This in turn (w zamian) motivated certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated. 

Washington Irving

In 1819, a best-selling author Washington Irving wrote "The Sketchbook of George Crayon", a series of stories about Christmas in an English manor house (rezydencja; dwór). The sketches (szkice) feature a squire (dziedzic; ziemianin) who invited the peasants (chłopi) into his home for Christmas. In contrast to what was happening in American society at that time, the two groups mingled (mieszać się) easily. Moreover, in "A History of New York" Irving included Saint Nicolas.  In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful (spokojne), warm-hearted (serdeczne) holiday bringing groups together across lines of social status. Many historians say that Irving's account (sprawozdanie) of Christmas celebrations actually invented tradition and customs.

Clement Clarke Moore's

 Santa

In 1822 dentist Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem which later became known as "The Night Before Christmas". He portrayed Santa as an elf with sleigh (sanie) equipped with (wyposarzony w) eight reindeer (renifery): Blitzem, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donder, Prancer and Vixen.

In the times before the Civil War (wojna domowa) the North and the South were divided (podzielone) on the issue (kwestia) of Christmas, as well as on the issue of slavery (niewolnictwo). Many Northerners saw sin (grzech) in the celebration of Christmas. It was more appropriate for them to celebrate Thanksgiving (święto Dziękczynienia). In the South, on the other hand, Christmas was an important holiday. The first three states to make Christmas a legal holiday were in the South: Alabama in 1836, Louisiana and Arkansas in 1938. 

Our Popular Image of Santa was Created by Cartoonist Thomas Nast During the Civil War

Most people do not associate Santa Claus with war, but in fact the connection goes back to Santa’s very beginnings.. Nast’s first Santa illustrations, published in the January 3, 1863 edition of Harper’s Weekly, featured Santa visiting dejected Union soldiers.-New York Historical Society

What's interesting Abraham Lincoln used the image of Santa with some Union soldiers (żołnierze Unii) to demoralize the Confederate army (armia konfederacka), which seems to be an early example of psychological warfare (wojna psychologiczna).

After the Civil War, Christmas traditions spread (rozprzestrzeniły się) across the country. Sunday schools encouraged (zachęcać) the celebration of Christmas. Women's magazines were also very important in suggesting ways to decorate for the holidays, as well as how to make these decorations.

By the last quarter (ćwierć) of the 19th century, America eagerly (chętnie) decorated trees, caroled (śpiewali kolędy), baked and shopped for the Christmas season. Since that time, materialism, media, advertising and mass marketing has made Christmas what it is today. Today's traditions have been invented by blending (łączyć; mieszać się) together customs from many different countries.

The famous image of Santa present in Coca-Cola ads (reklamy) was invented in 1931 by Haddon Sundblom. The company holds the trademark (znak handlowy) for this image and uses it in the ads to the present day.

Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer

In 1939 Robert L. May created a poem about Rudolph, the ninth reindeer which in 1949 became the protagonist (główny/tytułowy bohater) in one of the most popular Christmas songs ever made (the song was written by Johnny Marks,  I wrote about this song in the previous post).

Some popular Christmas symbols:

Christmas  Stockings

Christmas stockings are hung near the chimney on Christmas Eve for Santa to fill it with presents for children. The items that are believed to be left by Santa in stockings are called stocking stuffers. It is believed that a child who misbehaved during the year will not get a present in their stocking. 

Mistletoe

 

Mistletoe was used by Druid priests 200 years before the birth of Christ in their winter celebrations. The ancient Celts believed mistletoe to have healing powers and used it as an antidote for poison, infertility and to ward off evil spirits.

Scandinavians associated the plant with Frigga, the goddess of love, and it may be from this that we derive the custom of kissing under the mistletoe.

Holly, Ivy and Greenery

Mistletoe

Holly, which was believed to have magical powers, was hung on the doors to drive evil away. Greenery, on the other hand, was brought indoors to freshen the air during the long winter time.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias

In 1828 a U.S. ambassador to Mexico Joel R. Poinsett brought the plant to America. One legend has it that a young Mexican boy, on his way to visit the village Nativity scene, realized he had no gift for the Christ. He gathered green branches from along the road and brought them to the church. When he left the leaves at the manger, a beautiful star-shaped flower appeared on each branch. 

The Candy Cane

Candy Cane

The Candy Cane remains a favourite holiday treat and decoration. It's roots go back to the times when Europeans began using Christmas trees and one of the things they used to decorate the trees with were, among others, candy canes. Candy canes have also been given to children as gifts for Christmas till the present day.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a large Christmas tree placed annually in Rockefeller Center in mid-town Manhattan in New York. The tree is erected and lit in late November or early December.

ABC News:  Barbara Walters sits down with President Obama and the First Lady.

 

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Luke, Chapter Two

The English translation of the famous passage from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament, Chapter Two, that is used to be read in many Polish homes before the Christmas Eve dinner:

Luke, Chapter TwoAnd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

A DECREE - rozporządzenie
TAXED - opodatkowani

SHE SHOULD BE DELIVERED- nadszedł dla Maryi czas rozwiązania
FIRSTBORN SON - pierworodny syn

WRAPPED - owinięty

A MANGER - żłobek/żłób
KEEPING WATCH OVER - trzymając straż nad
FLOCK - trzoda
BEHOLD - ujrzycie
GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY - dobre wieści

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Christmas Songs

Z racji na to, że zbliżają się święta, na które czekają zawsze wszyscy, ale w szczególności ci najmłodsi, dzisiaj będzie trochę bożonarodzeniowych piosenek  w wydaniu właśnie dla nich.

 

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, czyli  Rudolf Czerwononosy Renifer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, 

Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen., 

But do you recall? 

Ale czy sobie przypominacie

The most famous reindeer of all? 

Najsłynniejszego renifera?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 

 Rudolf Czewononosy renifer

Had a very shiny nose, 

Miał bardzo świecący nos

And if you ever saw it, 

I gdybyś go kiedykolwiek zobaczył

You would even say it glows. 

Powiedziałbyś nawet, że on płonie

All of the other reindeer 

Wszystkie inne renifery

Used to laugh and call him names; 

Zwykły się z niego naśmiewać i przezywać go

They never let poor Rudolph

Nigdy nie pozwalały biednemu Rudolfowi 

Join in any reindeer games. 

Wziąć udział w żadnej z reniferowych gier.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve, 

Ąż tu w pewną mglistą wigilię

Santa came to say, 

Przybył Święty Mikołaj

Rudolph with your nose so bright, 

Rudolfie z nosem tak błyszczącym

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Czy nie zechciałbyś dziś przewodzić moim saniom ?

Then how the reindeer loved him 

I jak go wtedy ten renifer pokochał

As they shouted out with glee, 

Kiedy wykrzykiwali z radości

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 

Czerwono-nosy reniferze Rudolfie

You'll go down in history.

Przejdziesz do historii.

jedna z najbardziej uroczych wersji:

tutaj natomiast wersja w wykonaniu The Jackson 5:

i wersja oryginalna Gene'a Aury:

Comin' Down The Chimney, 

czyli Wchodząc Przez Komin ;)

Has Anybody Seen Santa???

czyli Czy Ktokolwiek Widział Mikołaja???

Świetna do nauki Present Perfect Simple :)

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

czyli Życzymy Wam Wesołych Świąt

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Halloween and All Hallows

October 31 is when many people in the world and especially those in the anglo-saxon countries celebrate Halloween. Halloween or Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve is a yearly celebration that precedes All Hallows (or All Saints) (November 1). 

The word HALLOWEEN comes from 16th century and is a Scottish variant of ALL HALLOWS' EVEN (evening), that is, the night before ALL HALLOWS' DAY.

Origins

The celebration of Halloween is thought to have pagan roots. It is very often linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain, which is Old Irish for 'summer's end'. Samhain was the first and most important of the four quarter days in the medieval Gaelic calendar. It was held on or about October 31. Samhain symbolized the end of harvest season and the beginning of winter. In much of the Gaelic world bonfires were lit and there were many rituals involved. 

People saw Samhain as the moment when the door to the Otherworld opened enough for the souls of the dead to come into our world. The souls of the dead were believed to be revisiting their homes on that day. People prepared feasts and set a place at the table for the dead. However, harmful spirits were also believed to be active on Samhain. People tried to ward off those harmful spirits and this is supposed to be the origin of today's Halloween customs. Before the 20th century, wearing costumes at Samhain was done in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Wearing costumes served as the way to hide from the evil spirits. In Ireland people went about before nightfall collecting for Samhain feasts and often they wore costumes. This is probably the origin of the modern TRICK-OR-TREAT custom.

Most probably the tradition of making Jack-O'-Lanterns at Halloween also comes from Samhain and Celtic beliefs. In the 19th century turnip lanterns with faces carved into them were prepared in parts of Ireland and Scotland. Those lanterns were used to light the way outside at night or to protect against evil spirits. 

Christian origins or influence?

Some people believe that Halloween was influenced by the Christian ALL SAINTS' DAY on November 1 and ALL SOULS' DAY on November 2. All Saints was introduced in 609 and was originally celebrated on May 13. In 835 Pope Gregory IV switched All Saints to November 1 (the same day as Samhain). All Saints involved such traditions as bell ringing for the souls in purgatory and 'souling' which was a custom of baking and sharing soul cakes- suggested to be the origin of TRICK-OR-TREATING. Children would go door-to-door on All Saints collecting soul cakes. Shakespeare mentions this practice in The Two Gentlemen of Verona where one of the characters accuses the other one of "pulling like a beggar at Hallowmas". 

Halloween in America

In the 18th and 19th century there was no tradition of Halloween on the new land. Puritans of New England opposed Halloween strongly and it was not until the mass Irish and Scottish immigration in the 19th century that it was brought to North America. Gradually Halloween was assimilated into mainstream society and by the middle of the 20th century it was celebrated by people of all backgrounds.

Glossary:

precedes - poprzedza

origins - pochodzenie

pagan roots - pogańskie korzenie

medieval - średniowieczne

It was held - było organizowane

harvest season - sezon żniw/zbierania plonów

bonfire - ognisko

lit - forma przeszła od light, czyli świecić lub zapalać

the Otherworld - zaświaty

revisit - odwiedzić ponownie, nachodzić

feasts - uczty

harmful spirits/evil spirits - złe duchy

ward off - nie dopuszczać

customs - zwyczaje, tradycje

trick-or-treat - cukierek czy psikus

turnip - rzepa

carved - wycięte

influence - wpływ

switched - zamienił, przesunął

purgatory - czyścieć

gradually - stopniowo

people of all backgrounds - ludzie każdego pochodzenia

Lit pumpkins

Symbols of Halloween

Pumpkin

Originally it was turnip but when Irish and Scottish immigrants came to America they started using the native pumpkin. People carve faces in pumpkins and place candles inside.

How to carve faces into a pumpkin:

You need a newspaper, a carving knife and of course- a pumpkin.

1. Cover your table with newspaper or some type of plastic covering. First cut apart trash bags, and use masking tape to secure them to the table. Then cover the garbage bags with newspaper. Put some newspaper on the floor. Carving pumpkins can be messy!
2. Use a permanent marker to draw a face on your pumpkin. This will be the face you carve. You can also draw a design around the stem of the pumpkin, which you will cut. This becomes your lid.
3. Cut on the line around the stem and take off the top of the pumpkin. Here's the messy part. Use the spoon and/or your hands to take out all the guts and seeds from the pumpkin. It should be CLEAN in the inside. Sometimes, it helps to scrape the inside walls of the pumpkin with your spoon to get it extra clean.
4. Once your pumpkin is clean, you are ready to carve the face. Use the lines you already drew to cut out a face on the pumpkin.
5. Put a candle in the bottom of the carved pumpkin, and light it. Put the lid on, turn off the lights, and see your jack-o'-lantern glow!

Trick-or-Treating

Traditional Games and Activities:

Trick-or-treating 

Something for kids. They go door-to-door wearing costumes and asking for treats such as candy. They ask the houseowner: 'Trick or treat?' and trick is a mischief they can perform on the houseowner if no treat is given. In Scotland and Ireland it's called guising and children disguised in costumes go from door to door for food or coins. 

Apple bobbing

Apple bobbing (or 'dooking' in Scotland)

Apples float in a tub or a large basin of water and the participants must use their teeth to remove an apple from the basin.

Hanging up treacle or syrup-coated scones by strings

These must be eaten without using hands while they remain attached to the string. As a result participants have increadibly sticky faces.

Telling ghost stories and watching horror films

Food

Apples

Candy apples

Halloween comes in the wake of apple harvest and candy apples, caramel or toffee apples are a very common Halloween treat. 

Barmbrack

A light fruitcake into which a ring or a coin is placed before baking. It is said that the person who finds the ring in the cake will find their true love in the ensuing year.

Pumpkin, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, roasted pumpkin seeds

Barmbrack

Extras:

You can watch a nice video about Halloween   Here 

A part of a funny Halloween episode of Desperate Housewives (Danielle is having a baby):

A Halloween song for kids:

And Michael Jackson's Thriller which is a little spooky:

Lyrics:

It's close to midnight
something evil's lurkin' in the dark
under the moonlight
You see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream
But terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze
As horror looks you right between the eyes
You're paralyzed

'Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
And no one's gonna save you
From the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller
Thriller night
You're fighting for your life
Inside a killer
Thriller tonight, yeah

You hear the door slam
And realize there's nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand
And wonder if you'll ever see the sun
You close your eyes
And hope that this is just imagination
Girl, but all the while
You hear a creature creepin' up behind
You're outta time

'Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
There ain't no second chance
to fight the thing with the forty eyes, girl
(Thriller)
(Thriller night)
You're fighting for your life
Inside a killer
Thriller tonight

Night creatures crawl
In the depths up to haunt in their masquerade
There's no escaping the jaws of the alien this time
(They're widen open)
Is the end of yout life 

They're out to get you
There's zombies in on every side
They will possess you
Unless you change that number on your dial
Now is the time
For you and I to cuddle close together, yeah
All through the night
I'll save you from the terror on the screen
I'll make you see

That this is thriller
Thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more
Than any ghost would ever dare try
(Thriller)
(Thriller night)
So let me hold you tight
And share a
killer, diller, chiller
Thriller here tonight

'Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
Girl, I can thrill you more
Than any ghost would ever dare try
(Thriller)
(Thriller night)
So let me hold you tight
And share a
(killer, thriller)

I'm gonna get you tonight

[Rap]
Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'all's neighborhood
And those whoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse's shell

I'm gonna thrill you tonight
(Thriller, thriller)
I'm gonna thrill you tonight
(Thriller night, thriller)
I'm gonna thrill you tonight
Ooh, babe, I'm gonna thrill you tonight
Thriller night, babe

[Rap]
The foulest stench's in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
for no mere mortal can resist
the evil of the thriller

(Evil laugh)

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