Cultural English - Christmas - Part One
文化英语－圣诞节－第一部分
Michael: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way.
Billy: Why are you singing Christmas carols Michael?
Michael: Because Christmas is coming quickly!
Billy: Ahhh. I have left all of my gift shopping until the last minute again. The stores will be packed.
Michael: Christmas is much more than just buying gifts for your friends and family.
Billy: Yeah I know. Gifts and corny songs are the two main Christmas activities.
Michael: No Billy! You have it all wrong. Take a seat and I will tell you about the ancient history of Christmas!
迈克尔：叮叮当，叮叮当，铃儿响叮当。
比利：你为什么在唱圣诞歌曲，迈克尔？
迈克尔：因为圣诞节很快就到了！
比利：啊哈。我又要等到最后一分钟再去购买所有的礼物。商店会很拥挤。
迈克尔：圣诞节可不光是给朋友和家人买礼物，还有很多别的东西。
比利：没错，我知道。送礼物和唱老歌是圣诞节的两种主要活动。
迈克尔：不是的，比利！你全搞错了。坐下来，我来告诉你有关圣诞节的古代史。
New Words 生词
1) Christmas: the 25th of December
圣诞节：12月25日
Christmas day is when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ while the rest of us buy gifts for each other then eat and drink too much.
圣诞节是当基督徒庆祝救世主耶稣诞生的时候，而我们其他人为彼此购买礼物然后大吃大喝的节日。
2) Carols: Christmas songs
圣诞颂歌：圣诞节歌曲
Some of the best known Christmas carols are Jingle Bells, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, We wish You A Merry Xmas and Away in a Manger.
最熟为人知的一些圣诞歌曲是《Jingle Bells》、《Oh Come All Ye Faithful》、《 We wish You A Merry Xmas》和《 Away in a Manger》。
Lesson: 课文
Xmas Part One 圣诞节 第一部分
Today Christmas is different things to different people. For some it is a time to hope for peace on earth and goodwill to all, for others it's a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, while for some businesses, it is the busiest time of the year as most people spend their hard-earned cash on presents for family and friends.
今日圣诞节对于不同的人来说有着不同的意义。对于某些人，它是在地球上期待和平，并对所有人表示善意的时候；对于其他人，它是记住救世主耶稣诞辰的日子；而对于某些商业领域，它是一年中最繁忙的时期，因为大多数人将他们辛辛苦苦挣来的钱用来给家人和朋友买礼物。
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as twelve days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
在（北欧）斯堪的纳维亚地区，挪威人从冬至－12月21日起开始庆祝耶稣圣诞节，庆祝活动一直持续到1月底。父亲和儿子往家里搬回很多大木头，然后燃烧这些木头，以此来感激太阳回归。人们盛宴庆祝，直至木头烧完，时间长达12天之久。挪威人相信火中的每一颗火星象征着来年出生的一头猪或一只羊。
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were killed so that they did not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat.
在欧洲的大多数地区，12月底是庆祝的最佳时间。在每年的那段时间里，大多数牲畜被杀掉，这样冬天的时候人们就不用再喂养它们了。对于很多人来说，那是一年中惟一有新鲜肉类供给的时间。
Most people in Scandinavian countries honor St. Lucia (also known as St. Lucy) each year on December 13. The celebration of St. Lucia Day began in Sweden, but had spread to Denmark and Finland by the mid-nineteenth century. In these countries, the holiday is considered the beginning of the Christmas season and, as such, is sometimes referred to as "little Yule."
斯堪的纳维亚地区的国家，s大多数人在每年的12月13日纪念圣·露西娅（也称圣·露西）。庆祝圣·露西娅节源于瑞典，不过到十九世纪中叶的时候已经传到了丹麦和芬兰。在这些国家，这个节日被认为是圣诞季节的开始，而且严格来说，有时候被称为“小圣诞节”。
Traditionally, the oldest daughter in each family rises early and wakes each of her family members, dressed in a long, white gown with a red sash, and wearing a crown made of flowers and twigs with nine lighted candles. For the day, she is called "Lussi" or "Lussibruden (Lucy bride)." The family then eats breakfast in a room lighted with candles.
传统的做法是，每个家庭的长女早起，然后叫醒其他家庭成员。她身穿白色长袍，腰系红带，头戴花冠。花冠由花和小细枝编成，上面有九支点燃的蜡烛。在这一天里，她被称为“露西”或“新娘露西”。接着家人在一个有烛光的房间里共进早餐。
Christmas can be celebrated in so many ways (or not at all!). Regardless of how you celebrate or spend the day of December 25, remember to be safe and happy.
圣诞节有很多种庆祝的方式（或者什么都不做！）。无论你如何庆祝或度过12月25日那天，切记安全与快乐。
A very Merry Xmas from all at Xianzai.com and thanks for your support throughout the year!
现在网祝大家圣诞快乐，并对大家一年来的支持表示感谢！
Dialogue
Jeff: What are you going to buy me for Xmas, Joan?
Joan: You know that I don't really celebrate Christmas Jeff.
Jeff: I thought everyone celebrates Xmas?
Joan: Not really. Although it started as a winter festival, over the last 2,000 years it has become more of a religious festival.
Jeff: And because you are not religious, you don't buy your friends gifts?
Joan: That's not quite true. I do buy small gifts for some friends.
Jeff: So what will you buy for me?
Joan: How about a book? I will buy you the history of Christmas so you can learn something.
Jeff: Save your money. I just head for Xianzai.com for the things I need to know!
杰夫：圣诞节你要买什么送我，琼？
琼：你知道我不怎么过圣诞节，杰夫。
杰夫：我还以为每个人都庆祝圣诞节呢？
琼：不见得。虽然起初它是个冬天的节日，不过在过去的2000年里它变得更像是一个宗教节日。
杰夫：而且因为你不信教，所以你就不给朋友买礼物？
琼：倒不是这样。我确实给一些朋友买小礼物。
杰夫：那你会给我买什么？
琼：一本书怎么样？我会给你买一本有关圣诞节历史的书，这样你就可以学点东西。
杰夫：省下你的钱吧。要学东西我只要去找现在网就行了！
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