It’s the late 1900s in London, England. Christmas is right around the corner, and with just days before the holiday the town is bustling with anticipation. Everyone has an extra skip in their step, an extra twinkle in their eye…all except one, that is. William Hawthorne is the town’s over-worked clock maker. He spends his time toiling away nonstop in his shop. He has no family, and he’s not in the business of making friends, as that wouldn’t be “financially prudent”. He sees the Christmas season as nothing more than a distraction and a nuisance. It will take a miracle to help William discover the true meaning of the holiday season. The true spirit of the season shines brightly as he learns how to laugh and love again in this charming new musical.

In “At the Stroke of Midnight” Miss Thatcher tells us “Every person on this earth, big and small, has a gift to give.” As a baker, her gifts lie within her pies, cakes, and treats. It doesn’t matter how small you think your gift may be, the importance lies in you giving with joy. That’s what Christmas is all about! What’s your gift? In the box below, draw what your special gift is this holiday season:

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In “At the Stroke of Midnight” we meet Bob Finch, who later reveals himself to be a real-life Elf, straight from the North Pole! We learn that when the clock strikes twelve on Christmas Eve, officially becoming Christmas Day, Bob’s “magic” can be used anywhere in the world he sees fit; Any place that could use a little extra Christmas spirit. In the space below, write a creative story about where Bob travels to next Christmas, using his magic to help add a little extra holiday spirit!

Christmas is a holiday celebrated all over the world! In “At the Stroke of Midnight” we see a town celebrating from within the United Kingdom. Below you will find what celebrating Christmas in the UK (or Great Britain) is all about! After you learn how they celebrate the season, tell us how you celebrate the Christmas holiday where you are! In the UK (or Great Britain), families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their presents.

Most families have a Christmas tree in their house forChristmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a familyoccasion, with everyone helping. Holly, ivy and mistletoe are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings.

Most villages, towns and cities are decorated with Christmas lights over Christmas. Often a famous person switches them on. The most famous Christmas lights in the UK are in Oxford Street in London. Every year thousands of people go to watch the big 'switch on' around the beginning of November.

Father Christmas or Santa Claus leaves presents in stockings or pillow-cases. These are normally hung up by the fire or by a child's bed on Christmas Eve.

In the UK, the main Christmas meal is usually eaten at lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It is normally roast turkey, roast vegetables and 'all the trimmings' which means vegetables like carrots, peas, stuffing and sometimes bacon and sausages. It is often served with cranberry sauce and bread sauce.

Dessert is often Christmas pudding. Mince pies and chocolates are often eaten as well! The dinner table is decorated with a Christmas cracker for each person and sometimes flowers and candles.

Teachers should assign their students a different country around the world and, individually or in small groups, have them research how Christmas is celebrated within that country. Fill in below what their holiday traditions are, what they might eat, what you might see if you visited during the holiday season, and how to wish people a “Merry Christmas” in their language!

A favorite of many during the holiday season is the tradition of singing Christmas Carols. Below are the lyrics to a few classic, Christmas Carols.

Sing them loud for all to hear!

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem." Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heav'n adored:

Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the favored one.

Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail, th'incarnate Deity:

Pleased, as man, with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail! the heav'n born Prince of peace!

Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings,

Risen with healing in his wings Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

Deck the halls with bought of holly, Fa la la la la la, la la la la. Tis the season to by jolly, Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon Virgin, Mother and

Child. Holy infant so tender and

mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven

afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,

Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born. Silent night, holy night!

Son of God love's pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy

face With dawn of redeeming

grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.