冬日溫度驟降，那個(gè)能帶給人們節(jié)日氣氛的日子即將到來——圣誕節(jié)。在這個(gè)節(jié)日里，我們通常會布置圣誕派對，點(diǎn)亮圣誕樹，播放圣誕樂曲。但是，對于圣誕節(jié)的起源，卻很少有人會記得。借此機(jī)會，小編就用英語給大家普及一下圣誕知識，同時(shí)也幫助大家提高英語能力。

英語閱讀:圣誕節(jié)起源和風(fēng)俗

The Origin of Christmas

圣誕節(jié)起源

Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. It is traditionally celebrated on December 25 by most Western Christian churches. Although dating to probably as early as a.d. 200, the feast of Christmas did not become widespread until the Middle Ages. Aspects of celebration may include gift-giving, Christmas trees, display of Nativity sets, church attendance, the Father Christmas/Santa Claus myth, and family gatherings. The word Christmas is derived from Middle English Christemasse. It is a contraction meaning "Christ's mass". The name of the holiday is often shortened to Xmas because Roman letter "X" resembles the Greek letter X, an abbreviation for Christ.

圣誕節(jié)是慶祝天主教中心人物耶穌誕生的節(jié)日，通常西方天主教堂在12月25日慶祝。圣誕節(jié)最早可追溯到公元200年，但直到中世紀(jì)才開始廣泛流傳。圣誕節(jié)慶�；顒影�括贈送禮物、圣誕樹、擺耶穌系列雕像、參加教堂活動、圣誕老人傳說、家庭聚會等。Christmas一詞來源于中世紀(jì)英語Christemasse，大概的意思是耶穌的彌撒。有時(shí)候圣誕節(jié)被寫成Xmas，因?yàn)榱_馬字母X和希臘文Chirst的縮寫X很相似。

Christmas custom

圣誕節(jié)習(xí)俗

英語閱讀:圣誕節(jié)起源和風(fēng)俗

1. Preparation of the Christmas cake

烘烤圣誕蛋糕

This was an English tradition which started centuries ago. On Christmas eve, plum porridge wasserved to the people. As years passed, various other things like dry fruits, honey and spiceswere used. Soon this porridge got replaced with the Christmas cake. Christmas cakes are madeusing eggs, butter, confections, fruits, etc. Today a Christmas cake is an integral part of aChristmas menu.

這項(xiàng)英式傳統(tǒng)早在幾個(gè)世紀(jì)以前就流傳開了，以前人們在平安夜喝梅花粥。隨著時(shí)間慢慢推移，人們還會享用果脯、蜂蜜及香料食物等，隨后圣誕蛋糕便代替梅花粥出現(xiàn)了。圣誕蛋糕由雞蛋、黃油、甜點(diǎn)、水果等烘制而成�，F(xiàn)如今，圣誕蛋糕已成為圣誕菜譜不可或缺的一部分。木頭形蛋糕：不可缺少的圣誕禮物你會做嗎?

2. Sending gifts to loved ones

給親友送禮物

This tradition comes from the story of the three wise men who got gifts for baby Jesus on Christmas. Every Christmas, gifts are exchanged among loved ones, especially children. The story of Santa Claus also comes from this tradition.

這個(gè)傳統(tǒng)源自一個(gè)傳說：三位智者在圣誕節(jié)給嬰兒耶穌送出了禮物。每年圣誕節(jié)，親朋好友尤其是孩子們都會互贈禮物，圣誕老人的故事也源自這個(gè)傳統(tǒng)。

3. Decorating the Christmas tree

裝扮圣誕樹

This refers to the tradition of decorating a pine tree using lights, tinsels, garlands, ornaments,candy canes, etc. Today, a Christmas tree is an indispensable part of Christmas celebration.

這個(gè)傳統(tǒng)指的是用彩燈、金箔、花環(huán)、飾品、糖果條等裝扮松樹�，F(xiàn)如今，圣誕樹也是歡慶節(jié)日不可或缺的一部分。

英語閱讀:圣誕節(jié)起源和風(fēng)俗

4. Lighting up the Christmas candle

點(diǎn)燃圣誕蠟燭

This refers to the tradition of placing a lighted candle outside houses during the Christmasseason. A candle signifies hope as it brings light even to the darkest room. In the earlier times,when Christians were persecuted, they were not allowed to practice prayers. Hence, a singlecandle used to be placed outside the house as a sign that Christian prayers were beingconducted inside.

這個(gè)傳統(tǒng)指的是人們會在圣誕期間在屋子外面放一支點(diǎn)燃的蠟燭。即便在最黑暗的屋子，蠟燭也能帶來光明，寓意希望。早些年代，也就是基督徒深受迫害的時(shí)候，他們被禁止布道禱告。因此，基督徒們在屋外放一支蠟燭，暗示他們?nèi)栽谛睦锬�默禱告。

5 Singing Christmas carols

唱圣誕頌歌

It refers to the age-old custom of enchanting a number of traditional Christmas songs during the Christmas season. It adds to the joy and fun to the atmosphere. Different Christmas hymns or carols like The First Noel, Jingle Bells, Joy to the world, etc are sung every Christmas as a part of the Christmas celebration.

這是一個(gè)古老的習(xí)俗：圣誕期間總是回蕩著一首又一首圣誕傳統(tǒng)歌曲。歌曲給人們帶來歡樂，也增添了節(jié)日的氣氛。每年歡度圣誕之際，《第一個(gè)圣誕節(jié)》、《鈴兒響叮當(dāng)》、《普世歡騰》等各種圣誕圣歌或頌歌都會奏響旋律。

6. Distributing Christmas candies

分發(fā)圣誕糖果

This is one of the most wonderful traditions of all. Christmas candies are distributed to neighbors during the Yuletide season. On the day of Christmas, all misunderstandings and grudges are forgotten and the community comes together to celebrate the birth of Christ.

這是所有傳統(tǒng)中最有趣的一個(gè)。圣誕季人們向鄰居們分發(fā)圣誕糖果;圣誕節(jié)那天，所有誤會與仇恨統(tǒng)統(tǒng)化解，鄰里之間團(tuán)結(jié)一致共同慶祝耶穌的誕生。

以上內(nèi)容是關(guān)于圣誕節(jié)起源和風(fēng)俗的介紹，由唯學(xué)網(wǎng)英語培訓(xùn)欄目小編提供，因此大家如若獲知更多關(guān)于英語新聞、雙語閱讀、英語語法以及英語各類考試等資訊，可隨時(shí)關(guān)注英語培訓(xùn)欄目。如有任何疑問也可在線留言，小編會為您在第一時(shí)間解答!