圣誕馬上就要到了!雖然在國(guó)內(nèi)現(xiàn)在也有很多人過圣誕，但對(duì)這個(gè)血統(tǒng)正派的西洋節(jié)日你真正了解嗎?快通過我們的十個(gè)問題來測(cè)一測(cè)你對(duì)圣誕節(jié)知多少吧!
1. 圣誕節(jié)的來歷是什么?
In Christianity, Christmas is the festival celebratingthe Nativity of Jesus, the Christian belief that the Messiah foretold in theOld Testament's Messianic prophecies was born to the VirginMary。
在基督教的傳統(tǒng)中，圣誕節(jié)是為慶�；揭d降生的節(jié)日�；浇掏较嘈�，彌賽亞告知圣母瑪利亞孕育了上帝的兒子耶穌。
2. 傳統(tǒng)的圣誕習(xí)俗有哪些?
Even in countries where there is a strong Christiantradition,Christmas celebrations can vary markedly from country tocountry.Formany Christians, a religious service plays an importantpart in therecognition of the season. Secular processions,featuring Santa Claus and otherseasonal figures are often held.Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are awidespread featureof theseason。
圣誕習(xí)俗國(guó)與國(guó)之間非常不同。對(duì)基督教徒來說，在圣誕節(jié)舉行相應(yīng)的宗教儀式必不可少。世俗的傳統(tǒng)，通常包含圣誕老人和其他節(jié)日特征。家庭會(huì)在這一天團(tuán)聚、互換禮物。
3. 各國(guó)的圣誕大餐都吃啥?
A special Christmas family meal is an important part ofthe celebration for many, but what is actually served can vary greatly fromcountry tocountry. In England, and countries influenced by its traditions, astandard Christmas meal would include turkey, potatoes, vegetables,sausagesandgravy, followed by Christmas pudding or mince pies. In Poland and otherparts of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish of tenprovides th etraditionalmain course, but richer meat such as lambis increasingly served. Ham is the mainmeal in the Philippines,while in Germany,France and Austria, goose and pork arefavored.Beef, ham and chickenin various recipes are popular throughout theworld。
和習(xí)俗一樣，各國(guó)的圣誕大餐也有差別。在英國(guó)，和英語文 化圈，標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的圣誕大餐通常包括火雞、土豆、蔬菜、香腸和肉汁，以圣誕布丁或碎肉派結(jié)尾;在波蘭等東歐國(guó)家、包括斯堪的納維亞半島，魚是圣誕餐的主菜，不過近年來類似羊肉的紅肉也越來越盛行;火腿是菲律賓的主菜;在德國(guó)、法國(guó)和澳洲，鵝和豬肉是人們喜愛的菜肴;另外的，牛肉、火腿和雞肉的菜肴在全球的圣誕菜單上都很流行。
4. 圣誕的傳統(tǒng)裝飾都有哪些?
Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plantfrom Mexico,has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holidayplantsinclude holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmascactus. Along witha Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants,along with garlands and evergreenfoliage.In Australia, North and South America,and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights andsometimes with illuminated sleighs,snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Thetraditional colors of Christmas are pine green(evergreen)， snow white, and heart red。
自19世紀(jì)開始，一品紅，一種原產(chǎn)于墨西哥的植物就和圣誕節(jié)聯(lián)系起來。其他流行的圣誕裝飾植物還包括冬青樹、懈寄生、紅色宮人草和蟹爪蘭。它們和圣誕樹、花環(huán)、綠葉一起用以裝飾房間。在澳洲、南北美和歐洲，還有用燈泡、發(fā)光的雪橇、雪人和其他圣誕人物裝飾屋子外部的傳統(tǒng)。圣誕節(jié)最傳統(tǒng)的裝飾顏色是青色、雪白和大紅。
5. 圣誕贊歌是怎么產(chǎn)生的?
In the thirteenth century, in France, Germany, andparticularly,Italy,a strong tradition of popular Christmas songs in the nativelanguage developed. Christmas carols in English first appear in1426. The songswe know specifically as carols were originally communal songs sung duringcelebrations like harvest tide as wellas Christmas。
13世紀(jì)，法國(guó)德國(guó)、特別是在意大利，用當(dāng)?shù)卣Z言寫成的圣誕歌開始流行起來。第一首英語的圣誕贊歌寫于1426年�，F(xiàn)在為我們所熟知的那些圣誕贊歌應(yīng)該是和豐收節(jié)的傳統(tǒng)差不多同時(shí)起源的。
6. 圣誕節(jié)一定要寄卡片嗎?
Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weekspreceding.Christmas Day on December 25 by many people (includingnon-Christians)in Western society and in Asia. The traditional greeting reads"wishingyou a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year",much like thefirst commercial Christmas card, produced by SirHenry Cole in London 1843.
在西方社會(huì)，圣誕節(jié)互寄卡片是傳統(tǒng)習(xí)俗之一。歷史上的第一張商業(yè)圣誕卡片起源于1843年的倫敦。(為保護(hù)環(huán)境還是建議大家寄電子卡片喲!)
7. 有圣誕卡片就要有圣誕郵票嗎?
A number of nations have issued commemorative stamps atChristmastime. Postal customers will often use these stamps to mailChristmascards, and they are popular with philatelists.These stamps are usually printedin considerable quantities。
沒錯(cuò)啊，很多國(guó)家在圣誕的時(shí)候都會(huì)發(fā)行紀(jì)念郵票。人們也經(jīng)常用這些圣誕郵票來寄他們的圣誕卡片，這些郵票通常質(zhì)量都很好，常被收藏做集郵。
8. 圣誕老人原名是什么?
The most famous and pervasive of these figures in moderncelebration worldwide is Santa Claus, a mythical gif bringer,dressed in red,whose origins have disputed sources. Santa Claus is a corruption of the DutchSinterklaas, which means simply Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra (inmodern day Turkey) in the fourth century. Among other saintly attributes, hewas noted forthecare of Children, generosity, and the giving of gifts。