English Christmas vocabulary

CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY Christmas is the annual celebration, by Christians, of the birth on 25 December of Jesus Christ, hence the name Christmas. It is an occasion for most people to spend time with their family and friends, send greeting cards and exchanges presents. Traditionally the giving of a gift is symbolic of the three wise men giving gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus.
Advent	The arrival of a person or an important event. Here it refers to the month before Christmas and the arrival of Jesus.
Bethlehem	The town thought to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day	In the UK, December 26 is called Boxing Day. It was traditionally a day to give presents to the poor.
Candle	A round stick of wax with a central wick which is lit to give light as it burns.
Chimney	A vertical structure which extends through the roof of a house and allows smoke to escape from the fireplace. Santa Claus (Father Christmas) traditionally enters a house through the chimney.
Christmas	The annual celebration by Christians of the birth of Jesus Christ on 25 December.
Christmas cake	A rich fruit cake covered with marzipan and icing, eaten at Christmas
Christmas card	A greetings card sent to friends and family at Christmas
Christmas carol	A joyful traditional song or hymn sung at Christmas. Singers visit people's houses at Christmas to sing carols and collect money, usually for charity.
Christmas Day	25 December, the birthday of Jesus Christ.
Christmas Eve	24 December, the evening or day before Christmas Day.
Christmas tree	An evergreen tree which people decorate with lights, tinsel, etc. at Christmas
Cracker	A decorated cardboard tube wrapped in paper, that makes a sharp explosive noise ("crack!") and releases a small gift when two people pull it apart.
Egg-nog	A traditional Christmas drink in the US made of beaten eggs, milk or cream, sugar and alcohol.
Frankincense	Sweet-smelling gum from a tree, burnt as incense : one of the gifts that the three wise men gave to Jesus.
Holly	Evergreen shrub with red berries used for decoration at Christmas.
Joseph	Husband of Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary	The mother of Jesus
Mistletoe	A parasitic plant with evergreen leaves and white berries, traditionally used as a Christmas decoration. When 2 people walk under the plant, they are supposed to kiss.
Myrrh	Gum from a tree, used for perfume or incense : one of the gifts given to Jesus by the three wise men.
Ornament	A decoration which, at Christmas, is hung on a Christmas tree.
Reindeer	A large deer with branching antlers found in some cold climates, and thought to pull Santa's sleigh.
Santa Claus	An imaginary bearded old man, wearing a red suit, who lives at the North Pole and brings presents for children at Christmas. Traditionally Santa Claus travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeers and enters the house through the chimney on Christmas Eve.
Sleigh	A sledge or light cart pulled by horses or reindeer over snow and ice.
Tinsel	A glittering material produced in strips and used for decoration at Christmas.
Turkey	Large bird very often eaten at Christmas.
Wreath	Circular band of flowers or leaves used to decorate the front door of homes at Christmas.
Xmas	Abbreviation for 'Christmas'.