2017 is coming to an end. Tonight is New Year's Eve and the twelve chimes of the clock will finish a year that, at least for me, has been particularly good ! I have passed my public examinations once again and thanks to that I can get to live in Madrid with my significant other. Besides, my niece keeps growing and growing and she can walk and she's learning to do things quite fast ! Anyway, since I'm on holiday, this entry will be a compilation of some touching Christmas videos and carols. What better way of ending the year than with a bunch of optimistic songs of Christmas ?
Let's begin with Mog's Christmas. It's quite an entertaining advertisement about a clumsy -yet friendly cat that, much like the Grinch, ruined its owners' Christmas. Or didn't he ?
Let's continue with another catchy Christmas carol representing all the Christmas values.
You know today it's New Year's Eve. It's an important family celeberation in Spain where we will definitely try to eat the twelve grapes (one for every chime of the clock). However, in the English-speaking world it is not that important, Christmas Day being far more important for them. Anyway, the year is coming to an end, so to finish this post, here you have the trailer of a well-known film : New Year's Eve. Watch it because you will see some of the Christmas traditions, including New Year Resolutions. Here you have it :
Today I will show you some Christmas-related facts that are quite interesting, are you ready?
1. Jesus Christ wasn't actually born on December, 25th: There's no concensus on when exactly he was born, so from the third century onwards they chose that date to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It was close to some pagan festivals like Saturnalia, a festival in honour of God Saturn and to celebrate the winter solstice.
2. Christmas has its roots in Pagan rituals : It began to be celebrated as such from the eighth century onwards with wild parties. In fact, some Puritans opposed to Christmas celebrations due to its pagan origins.
3. In the past, during a brief period of time, you would be fined if you were caught celebrating Christmas : Yes, you had to pay 5 shillings to celebrate Christmas. Can you believe it ?
4. Our way of celebrating Christmas began in the nineteenth century when prince Albert of Germany started decorating the pine tree himself : To celebrate his marriage to Queen Victoria, he had a photo taken of the royal family. In that photo, you could see an enormous decorated pine tree. After this photo publication, this fashion caught on and was imitated in other parts of the US. This also gave wings to the tradition of sending Christmas cards as well.
5. The tradition of gift-giving is ancient, far more ancient than you can imagine, dating back to year 10 AD : At that time, the gift-giving ritual had a clear purpose: to remind people of the presents brought to Baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men.
6. Christmas became a consumerist party thanks to the advent of the industrial revolution and the rise in advertising : Yes, obviously, with innovative breakthroughs such as chain production and the advent of the media, people started to spend a great deal of money on Christmas presents...
7. Santa Claus was, in fact, a Christian saint who used to give presents to people. He was known as Sinterklass, hence the popular name that caught on until today.
8. Santa didn't officially dress in red and white until a Coca-Cola advert was released on TV. So, mass media and big companies have proved themselves outstandingly powerful. Santa wouldn't be the man we picture today, were it not for Coca-Cola or TV. Can you believe it ?
9. In 1990, very recently, a school board banned Christmas celebrations. Yes! Again due to ots pagan rituals. Parents opposed and the court decided that Christmas was independent from religion.
10. Christmasy plants like holly or mistletoe also date back to pagan origins...what a surprise! : People would place wreaths of holly top decorate places of worship in pagan rituals. Likewise, kissing under the mistletoe was a tradition first observed during Saturnalia on a night that involved alcohol and orgies...yap, you heard right. However, some people insist that holly has a religious meaning, its thorns representing Christ's crown at the cross and the red berries representing his blood.
So, nowadays many people are upset because Spain is a secular state and they associate Christmas celebration with religion. However, without the shade of a doubt, Christmas origins are pagan and although it has something to do with Christian religion, Christmas today has an own entity. It is not religious or secular; it's a celebration for all kinds of citizens, regardless of their beliefs. If you are interested in getting to know more, click on the link below. You'll be redirected to a three-minute video quickly summarizing everything I wrote. http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas.
This will be the last entry of the year, so Happy New Year everyone!
Another nice Christmas carol for you to practise your listening skill. It won't be challenging for you because it's a piece of cake (very easy!)Here you can listen to another famous Christmas carol by Michael Bubble and, at the same time, do this questionnaire. I hope you like it !
How is your Christmas season going ? Are you eating tons and tons of food and arguing with your family ? I hope so ! Those are the best Christmas traditions ! Now I am writing posts about Christmas. In my previous entry, you could get to know about the different Christmas traditions in the US, the UK and Spain. Now, to sugar-coat your Christmas, I thought it would be a very good idea to write a blog about the best Christmas carols for me. I hope you appreciate it and sing them with your family :
10. Silent night : In the past, Christmas carols had a slow pace and a solemn rhythm. This is why I like this song. Enjoy it :
9. Jingle Bells : One of the most traditional ones. Its joy music makes us hum it and hum it again :
8. White Christmas : This Christmas carol reminds me of the snow. This year, it does not make any sense, though. Anyway, enjoy it :
7. So This is Christmas (John Lennon): This carol sung by John Lennon oozes Christmas happiness and peace.
6. Last Chritsmas I Gave You My Heart : Another yet very famous modern carol.
5. Text me Merry Christmas : A modern Christmas carol about what Christmas is unfortunately becoming. Children and teenagers hooked on their mobile phones instead of enjoying Christmas fully. In this link, you can sing it ans dee a good animation
4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town : A short, catchy town about one of our favourite present-bringer character.
3. Merry Christmas (I don't Want to Fight Tonight) by the Ramones : At least, some rock in this list ! Listen to the song in video one and become familiar with the rhythm. Then sing it using video 2.
2. All I Want for Christmas is You : Who on Earth doesn't know this song ? It has everything a good Christmas carol must have. On top of that, it is sung by Mariah Carey.
1. Christmas in Killarney : Top 1 in my list, an Irish carol. Why do I like it ? Well, it is different from all the rest of carols and it reminds me of my stay in Ireland. Plus, if you sing it too much you end up like the folks in the second video. Don't miss thesecond video, please !
BONUS : Here you have some other famous Chrismas carols which, despite not being in my list, are also jolly and singable. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer :
Silver Bells
Oh, Christmas Tree
12 days of Christmas : A good carol to exercise your memory. Let's listen to it :
I Believe in Father Christmas
Christmas is All Around
Let it Snow
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Did you enjoy my selection of carols ? Do you agree with my ranking ? You know, it's Christmas, so know what you have to do is to sing them over and over again. You can also do some exercises. Just like the last Christmas carol in my bonus says, merry Christmas and a happy New Year !
As you know most of the Christmas carols, I thought it would be a good idea for you to get to know some Irish carols. Indeed. One fun Christmas carol is "Christmas in Killarney." To fully enjoy this carol, follow these steps.
Maybe on Christmas Eve or on New Year's EVe you could get to sing as the folks in the video.
1) First of all, listen to the first video to catch the rhythm and the lyrics.
2) Secondly, have a look at the second video. It is the carol sung and danced by some drunken friends. It is a funny, amazing video. Don't miss it !
3) Finally, KARAOKE ! sing yourself following the third video. (Remember the second video and go banana!)
Quite an interesting and new Christmas carol, don't you think ?
