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圣诞节

Christmas

是一个充满宗教色彩和欢乐氛围的节日。

It is a festival full of religious colors and joyful atmosphere.

一、起源与宗教意义

Origin and religious significance

圣诞节，顾名思义，是为了庆祝耶稣基督的诞生而设立的节日。

Christmas, as the name suggests, is a festival established to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

根据基督教传统，耶稣基督是因着圣灵成孕，由圣母玛利亚所生的。

According to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

神派遣使者加伯列在梦中晓谕约瑟，叫他不要因为马利亚未婚怀孕而嫌弃她，

God sent the messenger Gabriel to tell Joseph in a dream that he should not despise Mary because she was pregnant out of wedlock,

反而要与她成亲，并把那孩子起名为“耶稣”，意思是要他把百姓从罪恶中救出来。

but to marry her and name the child "Jesus", meaning that he should save the people from sin.

二、圣诞节的传说

The legend of Christmas

当圣母玛利亚快要临盆的时候，罗马政府下了命令，要求全部人民到伯利恒申报户籍。

When the Virgin Mary was about to give birth, the Roman government issued an order requiring all people to register their household registration in Bethlehem.

约瑟和马利亚只好遵命前往。

Joseph and Mary had to obey the order.

他们到达伯利恒时，天色已晚，旅馆都住满了人，只有一个马棚可以暂住。

When they arrived in Bethlehem, it was late, the hotel was full of people, and there was only one stable for temporary stay.

就在这时，耶稣要出生了。

At this time, Jesus was about to be born.

于是，马利亚在马槽上生下了耶稣。

So, Mary gave birth to Jesus in the manger.

为了纪念耶稣的诞生，人们将十二月二十五日定为圣诞节，并年年举行弥撒，纪念耶稣的出世。

In order to commemorate the birth of Jesus, people set December 25 as Christmas and hold mass every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus.

三、圣诞老人的传说

The Legend of Santa Claus

圣诞老人的原型是圣尼古拉（St. Nicholas）。

The prototype of Santa Claus is St. Nicholas.

圣尼古拉是生活在4世纪小亚细亚的一位热爱施舍的善良主教。

St. Nicholas was a kind bishop who loved charity and lived in Asia Minor in the 4th century.

他经常匿名赠送礼物给当地的穷人，尤其是孩子。

He often gave gifts anonymously to the local poor, especially children.

有一次，他听说有三个贫穷的姐妹，因为没有嫁妆而面临被卖为奴隶的命运。

Once, he heard that there were three poor sisters who were facing the fate of being sold as slaves because they had no dowry.

圣尼古拉就在夜里将三袋黄金从窗户扔进去，刚好落在挂在壁炉前烘干的袜子里，解救了这三姐妹。

St. Nicholas threw three bags of gold through the window at night, and they just fell into the socks hanging in front of the fireplace to dry, saving the three sisters.

随着时间的推移，圣尼古拉的故事在欧洲各地流传，形象也逐渐演变成了我们现在所熟知的圣诞老人。

As time went by, the story of St. Nicholas spread throughout Europe, and his image gradually evolved into the Santa Claus we know today.

他住在北极，有一群驯鹿帮忙拉雪橇，在圣诞夜挨家挨户从烟囱进入屋内给孩子们送礼物。

He lived in the North Pole, with a group of reindeer helping to pull the sleigh, and went from house to house through the chimney on Christmas Eve to give gifts to children.

驯鹿中最有名的是红鼻子鲁道夫，它的红鼻子可以在雾天为圣诞老人的雪橇引路。

The most famous reindeer is Rudolph the Red Nose, whose red nose can lead the way for Santa Claus's sleigh on foggy days.

四、庆祝活动

Celebrations

随着时间的推移，圣诞节逐渐从宗教节日转变为一个庆祝活动。

Over time, Christmas has gradually transformed from a religious festival to a celebration.

许多非基督徒也参与其中，享受节日的欢乐氛围。

Many non-Christians also participate in it and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

1. 互赠礼物：人们会互相赠送礼物，表达爱意和祝福。

Giving gifts to each other: People give gifts to each other to express their love and blessings.

礼物通常包装精美，放在圣诞树下或直接送给对方。

The gifts are usually beautifully wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree or given directly to each other.

2. 装饰圣诞树：圣诞树通常是一棵常青树，如松树或冷杉。

Decorating the Christmas tree: The Christmas tree is usually an evergreen tree, such as a pine or fir tree.

人们会用彩灯、彩球、星星、彩带等装饰圣诞树。

People decorate the Christmas tree with colored lights, balls, stars, ribbons, etc.

圣诞树的顶端往往会放置一颗星星或者天使，象征着引导东方三博士找到耶稣的伯利恒之星或者是天使报喜。

A star or angel is often placed on the top of the Christmas tree, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Magi to find Jesus or the Annunciation of the Angel.

3. 举办圣诞派对：在圣诞节期间，人们会举办各种形式的圣诞派对，如家庭聚会、朋友聚会等。

Holding Christmas parties: During the Christmas season, people hold various forms of Christmas parties, such as family gatherings, friends gatherings, etc.

派对上通常有美食、音乐、舞蹈和游戏等活动。

Parties usually include food, music, dancing, games and other activities.

4. 圣诞老人：传说他身穿红袍、驾着驯鹿雪橇，在圣诞夜从烟囱进入屋内，给孩子们送礼物。

Santa Claus: Legend has it that he wears a red robe and drives a reindeer sleigh, enters the house through the chimney on Christmas Eve, and gives gifts to children.

在商场、社区等地，经常会有圣诞老人的扮演者与孩子们互动。

In shopping malls, communities and other places, there are often Santa Claus actors interacting with children.

5. 教堂礼拜：虽然圣诞节已经逐渐世俗化，但许多基督徒仍然会在圣诞节期间前往教堂参加礼拜活动，祈求神的庇佑和祝福。

Church worship: Although Christmas has gradually become secularized, many Christians still go to church to attend worship activities during Christmas to pray for God's protection and blessings.

圣诞节是一个充满爱与希望的节日。在这个节日里，人们可以感受到来自家人、朋友和社会的关爱与温暖。

Christmas is a festival full of love and hope. During this festival, people can feel the love and warmth from family, friends and society.

装饰：decorate

主教：bishop

礼拜、朝拜：worship

祝福：blessing

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