États-Unis

Santa Claus is an iconic Christmas figure, born from a fusion of Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Christian bishop, Nordic and Germanic traditions, and intense modern commercialisation. From the Netherlands to America, from Sinterklaas to Santa Claus, his image gradually took shape during the nineteenth century through literature and illustrations, before advertising spread it worldwide in the twentieth century. This fictional character must not, however, obscure the historical reality of Jesus, whose birth Christmas celebrates.

Level: Easy Audience: Beginners

Greeting cards originated in England in 1843, when Sir Henry Cole created the first commercial Christmas card. Helped by improvements in printing and lower postal rates, they spread rapidly. In the twentieth century, companies such as Hallmark made them popular worldwide. Today, physical and electronic cards remain a favoured way of expressing affection and goodwill during the festive season.

Level: Easy Audience: Beginners

The Scofield Bible (Revised Version 1975) is a revision of the Louis Segond translation enriched with the reference notes of the American theologian C.I. Scofield. It includes doctrinal annotations, cross-references, diagrams and maps. A major tool in evangelical and fundamentalist circles, it popularized dispensationalism and remains widely used for in-depth study of the Scriptures.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate