CHRISTMAS 9� A

CHRISTMASWork by:Daniel Pereira 9ºANuno Barreira 9ºAPedro Gonçalo 9ºA : 

CHRISTMASWork by:Daniel Pereira 9ºANuno Barreira 9ºAPedro Gonçalo 9ºA

CHRISTMAS : 

CHRISTMAS Introduction: With this work, we will talk about Christmas. What is it? How to celebrate? Symbols and traditions of Christmas? I hope we can convey what this day symbolizes to the Portuguese people. This work aims the sharing of information about Christmas in Portugal and other countries.

CHRISTMAS : 

CHRISTMAS Christmas in Portugal: Christmas is one of the most important festivities in our country. In Portugal, these celebrations have a great religious basis, but many pagan traditions origins are still common. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The feast is celebrated in December 25th by the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church and some Protestant groups, and on January 7th by the Orthodox Church.

CHRISTMAS : 

CHRISTMAS Christmas in Portugal: Initially, the Catholic Church did not celebrate Christmas. It was in the middle of the fourth century that we began celebrating the birth of Jesus, and Pope Júlio I fixed the date on 25th December, ignoring the true date of His birth.

CHRISTMAS : 

CHRISTMAS Christmas in Portugal: One explanation for the choice of December 25th as Christmas Day, is related to the fact that this date coincides with the Saturnalia of the Romans and the Germanic and Celtic festivals of the winter solstice, which are all pagan festivals, the Church saw an opportunity here to Christianize the date, putting in the background its pagan connotations.

CHRISTMAS : 

CHRISTMAS Christmas in Portugal: Imports from other celebrations typical of the Anglo-Saxon countries have also contributed much to change the way Christmas is celebrated in Portugal. However, the most important and prevalent is the celebration of family, the opportunity to put differences aside, back to the origin and celebrate with our parents, grandparents and other relatives. One of the most important part of Christmas is the Eve.On the night of the 24th December there is a special supper served after the Holy Midnight Mess, which is usually prepared throughout the day.

CHRISTMAS : 

CHRISTMAS Christmas in Portugal: It is part of Christmas dinner a dish of cod, usually cooked with vegetables, to symbolize abstinence which must be preserved on the Eve of the Christmas celebration. However, it is also quite popular sweets served with red or white wine, depending on what is more traditional.The dishes are highly dependant on local traditions, for example, in Minho it is also usual the cooking of Scrambled, panada made with bread and water and seasoned with honey and port wine. A strong tradition are still the Golden Bread Slices, Dreams, Daughters, or Boroas. Another necessary ingredient in any celebration of Christmas are the dried fruit, which is natural, since they become ripe in the Autumn.

CHRISTMAS : 

CHRISTMAS Christmas in Portugal: The religious celebration of Christmas begins at midnight on the 24th December with the Roaster Mess. The aim is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church's commitment to this day. The faithful move to the church for the ceremony, then return home where they eat dinner and open gifts. The designation of midnight mess is due to the legend that says that a rooster showed up at this precise time to announce the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christ Child. Christmas Day also holds special traditions.The family must spend this day assembled and share a special meal.

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CHRISTMAS Christmas in Portugal: Lunch or dinner for Christmas, which varies between regions of the country and depending on the preferences of families, is traditionally roast lamb. However, foreign customs, including British and Americans imposed Peru. Candy again have a prominent role in this meal. One last very important tradition during Christmas is the Bolo Rei. Originally, it was a special cake which was intended to celebrate the Epiphany on 6th January, when it is supposed that the Three Kings would have arrived in Bethlehem to offer gifts to the Infant Jesus. The specific meaning of the cake is no longer associated with the Twelfth Night only being consumed throughout the Christmas season.

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CHRISTMAS Conclusion: We worked on this theme to learn more about Christmas. We also achieved our goal´, which was to share how Christmas is celebrated in Portugal, now that it is so near to everyone. By the way … Merry Christmas everybody!