The word Christmas was first used in the eleventh century. December 25 is Christmas Day. Jesus Christ was born on this day.

The first Christmas carol was written in 368. The song was Jesus, Light of All the Nations. It was written by St. Hilary of Poitiers.

The custom of decorating a tree at Christmas started in Germany. It was brought to England in 1841 by Prince Albert of Saxony. He was the husband of Queen Victoria. The custom spread around Europe in the 1880s. The tradition was brought to the United States by German settlers. An evergreen tree is a symbol of eternal life.

Another Christmas symbol is the mistletoe. Some people try to sneak a kiss under the mistletoe. The Romans saw the mistletoe as a symbol of peace.

Holly leaves are popular in homemade Christmas wreaths. It is believed that the crown of thorns worn by Christ was made of holly leaves.

Another popular Christmas decoration is the poinsettia. Dr. Joel Poinsett discovered the flower in Mexico in 1828. In Central America, the poinsettia is called the flower of the Holy Night.

Candles have also become a part of Christmas. Burning candles became a cherished tradition in Ireland. At one time the Irish were not allowed to hold public mass. People would place candles in their windows. They hoped a passing priest would see the candle and stop to say mass. Today, lights are used to decorate homes and public buildings.

In Slavic countries, children sometimes sleep on a bed of straw and hay during Christmas Eve. On St. Nicholas Eve Dutch children don't leave syrup and cookies for St. Nick. They fill their wooden shoes with straw for Santa's white horse. They hope Santa will fill the shoes with candy and toys. In Italy, children hang a stocking to be filled by a female Santa Claus name La Befena.

Children in Mexico enjoy a game called piñata. A clay jug is filled with candy and hung from the ceiling. Children have their eyes covered and are given three tries to break the piñata with a bat. The child who breaks the piñata is the hero and shares the candy with the other children.

1. Pine and fir trees are evergreen trees. Why are evergreen trees a symbol of Christmas?

   Go to 10 - They are a Christmas color.
   Go to 12 - The don't die in winter.

2. England's Prince Albert of Saxony brought the custom of decorating a tree to England but the English didn't bring it to the United States. Mummer back to 8.
   
   
3. Hey, you got that one right. Dutch children fill their wooden shoes with straw for Santa's white horse. It's time to visit grandma. Go to 11.
   
   
4. You sure are a bright one. The Irish weren't allowed to celebrate public mass. They hoped a passing priest might see the candle and stop to say mass. Go to 8.
   
   
5. Grandma sure landed that one. The Irish may have started many traditions, but they don't take credit for this one. Look, grandma's winking at you. You better get on our way. Back to 11.
   
   
6. It sure is cold outside, maybe you'd like something to eat before moving on. What kind of food do Dutch children put out for Santa's visit?

   Go to 13 - Milk and cookies.
   Go to 3 - Straw.

7. You're in the dark with this one. Go back to 14 before you lose your way.
   
   
8. Who brought the custom of decorating a tree to the United States?

   Go to 15 - German settlers.
   Go to 2 - English settlers.

9. You're a smart one. You know it isn't safe to stand under the mistletoe when grandma is around. You also know the Romans saw mistletoe as a sign of peace. Boy, its getting warm. Go to 14.
   
   
10. No mummers allowed in. Back to 1.
    
    
11. Watch out or grandma might try to sneak a kiss under the mistletoe. Who saw the mistletoe as a symbol of peace?

    Go to 5 - The Irish.
    Go to 9 - The Romans

12. The kitchen sure is nice and toasty. You're right. An evergreen tree is a symbol of eternal life because it doesn't die in winter. Go to 6.
    
    
13. They know who you are. You'd better go back and get another costume. Back to 6.
    
    
14. Burning candles is a cherished tradition in Ireland. Why did the Irish place them in windows?

    Go to 4 - To invite passing priests into their home.
    Go to 7 - To invite passing mummers into their home.

15. Home at last? German settler's brought the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the United States. You should have returned home in ten steps if you completed your visits without any mistakes. The correct route is 1 - 12 - 6 - 3 - 11 - 9 - 14 - 4 - 8 - 15.

Candle carol Christams custom December decoration evergreen hay holly Jesus

lights mass mistletoe mummers peace pinata poinsetta straw tradition wreaths