2.3西方节日.doc

Christmas
Although, for Christians, Christmas is not the most important of festivals, it is probably the most widely celebrated religious occasion in the West. This festival celebrates the birth of the messiah in Bethlehem Palestine about two thousand years a
go. This messiah was Jesus Christ who, Christians believe, was sent to save mankind and absolve them from their sins. Nowadays, you might be forgiven for missing the religious element to this festival as it has descended somewhat into y of consumerism and indulgence. Gifts are given amongst family and friends and cards wishing “Seasonal Greetings” sent between just about everyone. Father Christmas, otherwise known as Santa Claus, is said to squeeze his way down chimneys across the world on Christmas Eve and deliver presents to any children that have behaved well over the last year. Another important motif of the festival is the Christmas tree, around which traditionally people would dance around hinting at the pagan origins of this mid-winter celebration.
圣诞节
虽然对基督教徒来说,圣诞节并不是其最重要的节日,但是在西方,它却是一个最受广泛庆祝的节日。圣诞节庆祝的是两千多年前弥赛亚(犹太人盼望的复国救主)在巴勒斯坦伯利恒的诞生。这个弥赛亚就是耶稣(基督教信奉的救世主)。基督教徒相信,耶稣是被派来拯救人类并协助人们摆脱罪恶的救世主。如今,就算你已经忘记了这个节日的本来意义也不会有人怪罪你,因为,现在的圣诞节已经演变成为大肆消费、狂欢与纵情享受的节日。在这个节日里,亲人们、朋友间都会互送礼物,满载着“节日祝福”的贺卡也会送到每一个人的手中。“圣诞之父”(Father Christmas),也就是我们所熟知的“圣诞老人”(Santa Claus),据说会在圣诞节前夕顺着烟囱下来,给世界各地的孩子们送去礼物,这些收到礼物的孩子必定是那些在过去的一年中各方面表现都很优秀的孩子。圣诞节