2.3西方节日.doc

Christmas Although, for Christians, Christmas isnot the most important offestivals, itisprobably the most widely celebrated religious occasion inthe West. This festival celebrates the birth ofthe messiah inBethlehem Palestine about two thousand years ago. This messiah was Jesus Christ who, Christians believe, was sent tosave mankind and absolve them from their sins. Nowadays, you might iven for missing the religious element tothis festival asithas descended somewhat into y ofconsumerism and indulgence. Gifts are given amongst family and friends and cards wishing “Seasonal Greetings ”sent between just about everyone. Father Christmas, otherwise known asSanta Claus, issaid tosqueeze his way down chimneys across the world onChristmas Eve and deliver presents toany children that have behaved well over the last year. Another important motif ofthe festival isthe Christmas tree, around which traditionally people would dance around hinting at the pagan origins ofthis 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。圣诞节的另一个重点是圣诞树,在这一天,人们会围着圣诞树跳舞,这也表明圣诞树是圣诞节形成之前的隆冬节日的重要组成部分。 Easter For religious, asopposed tocultural, Christians, this isthe fundamental festival ofChristianity. Itcelebrates the fact that Jesus Christ was crucified and died and then rose again afew days later. Jesus claimed inhis life that hewas the Son ofGod. The Jews, viewing this asheinous blasphemy, had him handed over tothe Roman governor ofPalestine and demanded that hebeexecuted. Following his death onthe cross however, Jesus appeared tohis disciples and told them tospread his gospel oflove and forgiveness around the world. Despite the religious theme toEaster, tomany peo