Changes

Some Christians, like [[Jehovah's Witnesses]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?|url=https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/|access-date=24 December 2024|website=JW.ORG|language=en}}</ref> do not celebrate Christmas because there is no instruction from Jesus in the Bible which tells Christians to celebrate his birth. [[Mormonism|Mormons]] celebrate Christmas on 25 December but they believe that Christ’s actual birth took place on 6 April.

Some Christians, like [[Jehovah's Witnesses]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas?|url=https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/|access-date=24 December 2024|website=JW.ORG|language=en}}</ref> do not celebrate Christmas because there is no instruction from Jesus in the Bible which tells Christians to celebrate his birth. [[Mormonism|Mormons]] celebrate Christmas on 25 December but they believe that Christ’s actual birth took place on 6 April.

Some believe that Jesus was probably not born on 25 December. Historians say this date was used by the Catholic Church to replace the [[pagan]] [[rite]]s that took place at that time of the year.

Some believe that Jesus was probably not born on 25 December. Historians say this date was used by the Catholic Church to replace the [[pagan]] [[rite]]s that took place at that time of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kane|first=Paul|date=2025-12-01|title=Christmas Facts {{!}} Facts about Christmas from Nat Geo Kids|url=https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/history/general-history/facts-about-christmas/|access-date=2026-05-26|website=National Geographic Kids|language=en}}</ref>

== Advent ==

== Advent ==

[[File:Advent2007candlelight.JPG|thumb|250px|Lighting the Advent candles at a church in the US.]]

[[File:Advent2007candlelight.JPG|thumb|250px|Lighting the Advent candles at a church in the US.]]

In English-speaking countries, the traditional dessert is Christmas plum pudding. Nowadays these puddings are often bought from bakers, but many people make their own to a family recipe. The tradition came from the Middle Ages when the pudding was used to preserve some of the fruit from autumn until the mid-winter. A traditional pudding is baked six weeks before Christmas and is left tied up in a cloth or basin with a cloth covering, in a cool place. Stirring the pudding is sometimes a family tradition, with everyone making a wish as they stir. Traditionally a silver coin would be stirred into the pudding, to bring luck to the person who found it. Nowadays most coins cannot be used because they are not made of silver so taste horrible and may be poisonous. Some families use old coins or silver charms. On Christmas Day the pudding must be boiled in a pot for several hours. When it is served, the cloth is cut off, [[brandy]] is poured onto the pudding, and it is set on fire before it is carried to the table. [[Christmas cracker|Christmas crackers]] are  used to decorate and are often opened prior to serving the dish or starter course. It is usually served with hard sauce.

In English-speaking countries, the traditional dessert is Christmas plum pudding. Nowadays these puddings are often bought from bakers, but many people make their own to a family recipe. The tradition came from the Middle Ages when the pudding was used to preserve some of the fruit from autumn until the mid-winter. A traditional pudding is baked six weeks before Christmas and is left tied up in a cloth or basin with a cloth covering, in a cool place. Stirring the pudding is sometimes a family tradition, with everyone making a wish as they stir. Traditionally a silver coin would be stirred into the pudding, to bring luck to the person who found it. Nowadays most coins cannot be used because they are not made of silver so taste horrible and may be poisonous. Some families use old coins or silver charms. On Christmas Day the pudding must be boiled in a pot for several hours. When it is served, the cloth is cut off, [[brandy]] is poured onto the pudding, and it is set on fire before it is carried to the table. [[Christmas cracker|Christmas crackers]] are  used to decorate and are often opened prior to serving the dish or starter course. It is usually served with hard sauce.

Many families have a Christmas cake or a special bread instead of a pudding (or as well as a pudding). These are very different depending on the country, but often have [[marzipan]] which is made from [[almond]]s and is traditional in many countries at Christmas. In [[France]] ‘’Buche de Noäl’’ or [[gingerbread]] men and women are decorated and hung on the [[Christmas tree]]. In [[Scotland]] a pastry biscuit called [[shortbread]] is made and has become a popular tradition in many countries. A German tradition is ‘’pfeffernuss’’, spiced [[cookie]]s rolled in powdered sugar. Other Christmas food includes fruit cakes, sultanas, ginger, [[Turkey|Turkish]] [[baklava]], almonds, chocolates, caramel toffee, candy canes and cookies.

Many families have a Christmas cake or a special bread instead of a pudding (or as well as a pudding). These are very different depending on the country, but often have [[marzipan]] which is made from [[almond]]s and is traditional in many countries at Christmas. In [[France]] ‘’Buche de Noäl’’ or [[gingerbread]] men and women are decorated and hung on the [[Christmas tree]]. In [[Scotland]] a pastry biscuit called [[shortbread]] is made and has become a popular tradition in many countries. A German tradition is ‘’pfeffernuss’’, spiced [[cookie]]s rolled in powdered sugar. Other Christmas food includes fruit cakes, sultanas, ginger and sweets such as  [[baklava]], almonds, chocolates, caramel toffee, candy canes and cookies.

Many families also prepare mulled wine which is warmed with cinnamon and nutmeg or [[egg nog]]s, a sweet drink made of milk, sugar, eggs, nutmeg and sometimes alcohol.

Many families also prepare mulled wine which is warmed with cinnamon and nutmeg or [[egg nog]]s, a sweet drink made of milk, sugar, eggs, nutmeg and sometimes alcohol.