Christmas is the one time of the year that most families like to celebrate together. Christmas is a time for celebrating the birth of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas is often forgotten. From September onwards the shops are full of Christmas cards (Weihnachtskarten), Christmas trees, baubles and decorations and many people start to buy Christmas presents early to avoid the rush. Children look forward to Father Christmas bringing toys and people book tickets to see the pantomime which is a favourite event during the Christmas period. Restaurants take bookings for Christmas parties and meals and Churches welcome people to join in the celebration of Christ by joining in the carol singing and prayers. It always seems as though Christmas as begun when the first Christmas card (Weihnachtskarte) drops on the doormat. Christmas is completely different these days to what it used to be over fifty years ago. Children would hang up their stocking or pillowcase just the same as children do today, but instead of getting lots of toys it would perhaps be just one or two toys, an apple, an orange and a few new coins. Children today receive toys all year round and many have enough toys to fill a toy shop.
The true Christmas meaning of the birth of Christ has been celebrated on the 25th December for thousands of years and the giving and receiving of presents represents the three Kings and the Shepherds who brought presents to the baby Jesus. The Christmas story is often learnt at school when children take part in the nativity play. Mary and Joseph who travelled to Bethlehem could find no room at the inn to shelter for the night and had to sleep in a stable. Baby Jesus was born in the stable and the three Kings and the shepherds followed the bright star shinning in the East until they reached the birth place of Jesus. This is the true meaning of Christmas which is celebrated all over the world. Different countries may celebrate the birth of Christ on a different day and many people travel to Bethlehem to see the birthplace of Jesus.