一個古老的節日
中冬季節自古以來都慶祝的時刻在世界各地。出現的幾個世紀以前,有一個人,名叫耶穌,慶祝光明和新生早期的歐洲人在冬天最漆黑的日子里。許多人在冬至日歡欣鼓舞,因為冬天最糟糕的時間已經過去,人們可以期待白天變長,延長幾個小時的陽光。
斯堪的那維亞,挪威人從12月21日慶祝耶穌圣誕節冬至時,在1月。意識到太陽回歸,就是父與子將帶回家,這也讓他們可能大木頭都放火燒了。人們盛宴慶祝,直至木頭燒完,可能需要多達12天。挪威人相信火中的每一顆火星象征一個新出生的一頭豬或一只在即將到來的一年。
12月底是慶祝的最佳時間。歐洲大部分地區,在每年的那段時間里,許多牲畜都被宰殺,所以他們將不會了很多喂養冬季時。對許多人來說,這是只有每年的這個時候他們有充足鮮肉供給的。另外,大多數的葡萄酒和啤酒,在一年最后發酵可以喝了。
在德國,人們被基督教神奧登。德國人懼怕奧登,他們相信他劃過天空俯視眾生,判定誰興誰亡。因為他的存在,許多人選擇呆在家里。
An Ancient Holiday
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.
It is said that there was a farmer served a poor boy on a cold windy Chrismas Eve and gave him a big chrisemas meal. The boy cut a Fir tree's branch and inserted it into the earth.He said, "every year this time. there will be many presents in this branch. I wish I can pay back to your favor by this beautiful Fir tree. " After the boy left, the farmer discovered that the branch had grow up as a big tree. Then he realized that the boy was an envoy of the god. This is the origin of the chrismas day. In western countries, Whatever you are, everyone will prepare a chrismas tree to increase the happiness of the chrismas day. Chrismas trees are made of evergreen tree like Fir trees and they represent the long lives.People put candles,flowers,toys,stars on the tree and they put chrismas present on the tree. On Chrismas Eve,people sing and dance happily and they enjoy themselves around the tree.
據說是一個農民服務可憐的孩子在一個寒冷的風的圣誕前夜,給了他一個大大的chrisemas頓飯。男孩砍一棵樅樹的分支和插入在地上他說:“每年這送來的將會有很多禮物這個領域。我希望我能回報你的忙,這美麗的冷杉樹。男孩走了后,農夫發現分公司已長大有一棵大樹。然后他發現那男孩的神的使者。這是圣誕節的起源。在西方國家,無論你是每個人都將準備一份樹增加幸福的圣誕節。圣誕節樹木原來都是常綠喬木像松樹長生活并代表人們把蠟燭、花卉、玩具、明星的樹,他們把圣誕禮物在樹上。圣誕前夜,人們唱歌和跳舞,愉快地他們很愉快圈住這顆樹。
Christmas is the biggest festival in the western world, which people all over the Christian countries celebrate. It is on the 25th day of each December. Christians consider it as the birthday of Jesus Christ. But now many customs and habits are beyond religious meaning, The Christmas season begins five or six weeks before the exact holiday. There is always a shopping boom during this period. So it's really a happy season for shop owners.
(譯文)：每年的12月25日，所有基督教國家的人們都歡慶圣誕節。一般認為圣誕節是耶穌誕生的日子。但是現在許多風俗和習慣都已超出了宗教意義。圣誕節季節在12月25日之前的5、6個星期就已經開始了。在這一時期總會出現一個購物潮。所以圣誕節確實是店主的快樂節日。
Christmas, annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Most members of the Roman Catholic Church and followers of Protestantism celebrate Christmas on December 25, and many celebrate on the evening of December 24 as well. Members of the Eastern Orthodox Church usually delay their most important seasonal ceremonies until January 6, when they celebrate Epiphany, a commemoration of the baptism of Jesus. Epiphany also traditionally commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men of the East in Bethlehem (near Jerusalem, Israel), where they adored the infant Jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The official Christmas season, popularly known as either Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas, extends from the anniversary of Christ’s birth on December 25 to the feast of Epiphany on January 6.
Christmas is based on the story of Jesus’ birth as described in the Gospel according to Matthew (see Matthew 1:18-2:12) and the Gospel according to Luke (see Luke 1:26-56). Roman Catholics first celebrated Christmas, then known as the Feast of the Nativity, as early as 336 ad. The word Christmas entered the English language sometime around 1050 as the Old English phrase Christes maesse, meaning “festival of Christ.” Scholars believe the frequently used shortened form of Christmas—Xmas—may have come into use in the 13th century. The X stands for the Greek letter chi, an abbreviation of Khristos (Christ), and also represents the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
基督教的節日,每年圣誕節紀念耶穌基督的誕生。我們的大部分員工的追隨者羅馬天主教會和基督教在12月25日慶祝圣誕節,許多慶祝12月24日晚。東正教的成員通常延遲其最重要的季節儀式到1月6號,當他們慶祝主顯節,紀念的洗禮的耶穌。主顯節的到來也傳統上是三個智者東在伯利恒(近耶路撒冷,以色列),在那里他們喜歡這里的圣嬰耶穌和送給他作為禮物的黃金、乳香和沒藥。官方的圣誕節期間,一般地被認為是要么Christmastide或圣誕節的十二天周年紀念日,延伸到基督的誕生,在12月25日主顯節上節1月6日。
圣誕節是基于耶穌誕生的故事中所述,根據馬太福音(見馬太福音1:18-2:12)和福音根據《路加福音》(見《路加福音》1:26-56)。羅馬天主教徒,當時所知的第一次慶祝圣誕節的誕生宴會,早336個廣告。“圣誕節”這個詞的某個時候進入英文的1050周圍Christes古老的英語詞組的節日,意思是“maesse基督。”學者認為常用縮短形式的Christmas-Xmas-may已投入使用在13世紀。X代表希臘字母氣,的縮寫Khristos(基督),也代表了耶穌十字架上釘十字架的地方。