Christmas Traditions
The Origin of Christmas
Since about 400 AD，Christmas Day has been celebrated on 25th December.This date was the old midwinter festival in preChristian times，around the time of the longest night and the shortest day.Christmas in the 21st century has many traditions：Christmas trees，cards and presents.
Presents and shopping
Shops can make about 60 per cent of their year's income in the three months before Christmas.So most shops get ready for it in October.The shopping centres are beautifully decorated and stay open late at night.The first time this happened was in 1867 when Macy's，a famous shop in New York，stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve(24th December)．
Trees
By midDecember，almost every house，shop and street has a Christmas tree.This tradition was started by the Germans as early as 700 AD.In the northern countries of the world，winter is cold and dark and most trees lose their leaves.The beautiful green trees decorated with lights and coloured glass balls give people hope that spring will come again.
Cards
The tradition of sending cards to friends was started in 1840 in the UK and now millions of Christmas cards and emails are sent all round the world.Cards are a good way of keeping in touch with family and friends who live far away.
Father Christmas
Father Christmas is known across the world with his white hair，red coat and big bag of toys.Young children are told that he lives in the north of Finland and makes toys for them.By tradition，he brings the toys to children at midnight，on the night before Christmas.
Food
On Christmas day a traditional meal is eaten，usually turkey(like a big chicken)and a rich，spicy cake.Some people hate Christmas.Others feel it is a magical and exciting time.They love seeing family and friends；they also love the traditions.Love it or hate it，Christmas is a time to look back over the old year—and forward to the new one.
40．Christmas has been celebrated________.
A．for over 3000 years
B．since the start of the 21st century
C．for about 1600 years
D．for about 2400 years
41．Christmas is important for shops because________.
A．much of their income is made around Christmas time
B．they can stay open later
C．they are beautifully decorated
D．they can prepare for it long before Christmas
42．Christmas trees are popular because________.
A．they make people think of Germany
B．they make people think of winter
C．they make people think of spring
D．they are beautiful and colourful
43．Father Christmas is________.
A．a magical story for small children
B．a character in a film
C．a real persona who lives in Finland
D．an old man who bring toys to children