According to Christian theology, the Christmas holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whose teachings form the basis of the Christian faith. Christians didn’t begin celebrating Christ’s birth (1)__________ the third century A.D., when Roman church officials settled (2)__________ December 25., probably to coincide with already existing pagan winter (3)__________. Today, Christmas is not the (4)__________ important Christian holiday - in fact, it ranks fourth after Easter, Pentecost und Epiphany. Yet since (5)__________ 19th century, when Americans (6)__________ to celebrate Christmas in the way we think of today - including traditions such as decorating trees, sending holiday (7)__________ and giving gifts - it has grown into the biggest commercial holiday of the year and is now celebrated (8)__________ the vast majority of Americans, Christian or not.
1. A. from B. until C. for D. since
2. A. at B. in C. on D. within
3. A. festivals B. holidays C. entertainment D. anniversary
4. A. little B. less C. more D. most
5. A. the B. a C. an D. one
6. A. begin B. began C. begins D. to begin
7. A. papers B. envelops C. letters D. cards
8. A. via B. near C. by D. through
1. A. from B. until C. for D. since
2. A. at B. in C. on D. within
3. A. festivals B. holidays C. entertainment D. anniversary
4. A. little B. less C. more D. most
5. A. the B. a C. an D. one
6. A. begin B. began C. begins D. to begin
7. A. papers B. envelops C. letters D. cards
8. A. via B. near C. by D. through
