13. Christmas Day 圣诞节

Christmas Day, on December 25, is one of the most festive Christian holidays in many countries around the world. It celebrates Jesus' birth.

圣诞节，12月25日，是世界上许多国家最喜庆的节日之一，它是耶稣的诞辰。

Christmas Day is a holiday in many, but not all, countries. Many homes have Christmas trees and other decorations in the weeks leading to Christmas Day. Some workplaces hold Christmas parties prior to December 25. Festive activities include exchanging presents, singing Christmas songs, going to parties.

圣诞节时许多国家，但不是所有国家，会放假。圣诞节来临前的一周，许多家里都会准备圣诞树和其他装饰品，有些工作场合甚至会在25号前举办派对，庆祝活动包括交换礼物，唱圣诞歌曲，举行派对等。

It's a special time when children get presents from family, friends and Santa Claus, or Father Christmas. Christmas cards are also given or sent out prior to Christmas Day.

圣诞节很特别，孩子们可以从家人、朋友、圣诞老人或圣诞爸爸那里得到礼物，节前也常常互送圣诞卡。

For some, Christmas is an exclusive family affair, while others invite friends to a Christmas buffet or pot luck meal. Churches have special services and may include acrèche or miniature Nativity scene.

有人把圣诞节当特殊家庭事件，有人请朋友来家里共同用餐。教堂会有特别服务，也许包括展示基督诞生画。

Christmas Day is a public holiday in many countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Government offices, educational institutions, many businesses and post offices are closed on this day. If you plan to travel with public transport, check with the local transport authority onschedule changes.

圣诞节在许多国家是公假，包括澳大利亚，加拿大，英国，美国等，政府部门，教育机构，企业，邮局都在当天歇业。你如果要乘公共交通，需向当地交通部门了解交通日程的变化。

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the son of God. His birthdate is unknown because there is little information about his early life. Thereis disagreement among scholars on when Jesus was born. Christians celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7.

圣诞节庆祝耶稣基督的诞辰，基督徒们相信耶稣就是神的儿子。他的诞生日期未知，因为其早期生活的信息非常有限。学者们关于其诞生日存有不同观点，而基督徒们就以12月25日为准，而东正教徒认为圣诞节在1月7日或左右。

The word “Christmas” comes from the old English “Cristes maesse”, or the mass of Christ. It is likely that the Christmas date of December 25 was chosen to offset the Pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. It is also possible that the celebration of the birth of the “true light of the world” was set at the time of the December solstice because this is when the days in the northern hemisphere begin to grow longer. Christmas holiday customs derive from various cultures, including Teutonic, Celtic, Roman, West Asian and Christian.

“圣诞节”这个单词源于古英语“Cristes maesse”，也就是基督的弥撒。之所以选定12月25日为圣诞节很可能是为了弥补异教徒的农神节和太阳神节。庆祝“世界真实之光”也有可能是选择了十二月冬至时分，因为从这些天开始北半球白昼开始变长。圣诞节的节日习俗也结合了诸多文化，包括日耳曼的，凯尔特的，罗马的，西亚的和基督教的。

The mistletoe is acommonly used Christmas decoration. By tradition, people who meet under a hanging mistletoe are obliged to kiss. Mistletoe has pagan associations. For example,the druids of Gaul regarded mistletoe growing on oak trees as sent from heaven.

槲寄生是圣诞节常用装饰物，作为传统，在槲寄生下相见的人们必须接吻。槲寄生还有异教关联性，例如，高卢人的德鲁伊教认为生长在橡树上的槲寄生来自天堂。

Other common decorations associated with Christmas are holly and ivy – both are associated with Pagan festivals as it was customary to decorate with greenery for these festivals.

其他与圣诞节相关的装饰物还有冬青和常春藤，两者都与异教节日有关，因为这些节日通常都以绿色植物作装饰。

Images of Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, snowmen, reindeer, and candy canes are seen incards, posters, signs and other printed or marketing material associated with the Christmas celebrations. Images of baby Jesus, the Christmas star, and other symbols associated with the religious meaning of Christmas a real so seen during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

圣诞老人的形象，包括圣诞爸爸、雪人、驯鹿、拐杖糖等的形象常见于与圣诞节相关的卡片、明信片、签名或其它印刷销售品。平安夜和圣诞节期间还可以看到耶稣宝宝、圣诞之星以及其它与基督教相关的其它形象。

（翻译：啸犬马）