Curated Video
Christmas Traditions: What is Christmas?
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, its traditional trappings surround many of us for between twenty (if you’re lucky) and sixty days of every year. So, let’s take a look at the origins of some of these traditions (without going too...
The Guardian
Gävle's Goats of Christmas Past
Every Advent in Gävle, Sweden, a large, straw goat is built in the center of town. Most years, it burns before Christmas comes. The townspeople of Gävle reflect on the goats, and goat burnings, of decades past and share their hopes for...
The Guardian
Praying for Sun Through the Harsh Swedish Winter
Worshiping sources of light plays a role in Christianity and in the pagan religions of Sweden. During the long winter months, the people of Gävle have differing opinions on how to cope with the dark and bring back the light. Some enjoy...
The Guardian
The Christmas Goat of Gävle
In the small city of Gävle, northern Sweden, there is an annual fight between local custodians and mischievous pagans for the spirit of Christmas. Each year since 1966, business owners have paid for a 13-metre (40ft) effigy of a goat to...
Two Minute Music Theory
A (Brief) History of Christmas Music
How did Christmas music become so...everywhere? Today we're taking a 2000-year-long journey to uncover the history of Christmas music....briefly. I cannot stress that enough. A lot of stuff got left out. The Unabridged, Expanded, and...
Step Back History
How Christian is Christmas?
Ah, the holiday season. It is now no longer complete without at least a few news commentators or family members expressing their dismay about just how secular it has all become. They speak of putting the Christ back in christmas. And it...
Curated Video
A1 English Listening Practice - Winter
This video serves as English listening comprehension practice for beginner students. In this video, a native English speaker talks slowly and clearly about the topic of winter. The subtitles are included at the bottom of the screen to...
Curated Video
Christmas Stockings and the Legend of Santa Claus
Victorian Christmas part 7 A story of St. Nicholas tossing balls of gold into stockings combined with details from Clemenct C. Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (or The Night Before Christmas) to establish the tradition of Santa Claus...
Curated Video
How Did the Victorians Celebrate Christmas?
Victorian Christmas part 8 The Victorians were the first to create what we might recognize as a modern Christmas, modifying medieval meals and focusing on family, children, and charity during the holiday season.
Curated Video
The Origins and Traditions of Christmas
For many people around the world, December 25th means Christmas, a time to gather with family and friends. For Christians, this date commemorates the birth of Christ. What are the cultural and religious origins of Christmas customs like...
NUMBEROCK
Christmas Around the World Song | Christmas Traditions
Video: Christmas Traditions From Around the World Grade Levels: Kindergarten - 5th Grade SUMMARY: Learn about Christmas tradition around the world in this fun video. Santa and his reindeer are flying around the world to drop off presents...
Wonderscape
Holiday Kids: All About Christmas
This video is a lesson discussing the history, customs, and traditions of the Christmas holiday. The teacher explains the origins of Christmas, including the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth and the choice of December 25th as the...
PBS
Christmas | All About the Holidays
A video discusses the American traditions associated with Christmas including gift-giving, decorating, going to church, and spending time with loved ones.