Christmas is the most magnificent festival in the western countries. Every year, on December, children eat apples, wear Christmas cap, send Christmas cards and attend the Christmas parties. Every child has strong desire for the humous Christmas legend, beautiful Christmas trees, beautiful Christmas cards, amiable and lovely Santa Claus and fascinating gifts.
圣诞节是西方国家一年中最盛大的节日，在每年12月25日这天，孩子们吃苹果、戴圣诞帽，寄送圣诞贺卡，参加圣诞派对。有关圣诞节风趣幽默的传说、美丽的圣诞树、漂亮的圣诞卡、慈祥可爱的圣诞老人，以及让人心动的礼物，每一个孩子都无限神往。
The Origin of Christmas 圣诞节的由来
In Christianity, Christmas is the festival celebrating the Nativity of Jesus, the Christian belief that the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament’s Messianic prophecies was born to the VirginMary.在基督教的传统中，圣诞节是为庆祝基督耶稣降生的节日。基督教徒相信，弥赛亚告知圣母玛利亚孕育了上帝的儿子耶稣。
The Customs of Christmas圣诞习俗
Even in countries where there is a strong Christian tradition, Christmas celebrations can vary markedly from country to country. For many Christians, a religious service plays an important part in there cognition of the season. Secular processions, featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal figures are often held. Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are a widespread feature of the season.
圣诞习俗国与国之间非常不同。对基督教徒来说，在圣诞节举行相应的宗教仪式必不可少。世俗的传统，通常包含圣诞老人和其他节日特征。家庭会在这一天团聚、互换礼物。
各国的圣诞大餐
A special Christmas family meal is an important part of the celebration for many, but what is actually served can vary greatly from country to country. In England, and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal would include turkey, potatoes, vegetables, sausages and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding or mince pies. In Poland and other parts of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish of ten provides the traditional main course, but richer meat such as lamb is increasingly served. Ham is the main meal in the Philippines, while in Germany, France and Austria, goose and pork are favored. Beef, ham and chicken in various recipes are popular throughout the world.
和习俗一样，各国的圣诞大餐也有差别。在英国和英语文化圈，标准的圣诞大餐通常包括火鸡、土豆、蔬菜、香肠和肉汁，以圣诞布丁或碎肉派结尾；在波兰等东欧国家，包括斯堪的纳维亚半岛，鱼是圣诞餐的主菜，不过近年来类似羊肉的红肉也越来越盛行；火腿是菲律宾的主菜；在德国、法国和澳洲，鹅和猪肉是人们喜爱的菜肴；另外的，牛肉、火腿和鸡肉的菜肴在全球的圣诞菜单上都很流行。
圣诞的传统装饰
Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage. In Australia, North and South America, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. The traditional colors of Christmas are pine green(evergreen)， snow white, and heart red。
自19世纪开始，一品红，一种原产于墨西哥的植物就和圣诞节联系起来。其他流行的圣诞装饰植物还包括冬青树、懈寄生、红色宫人草和蟹爪兰。它们和圣诞树、花环、绿叶一起用以装饰房间。在澳洲、南北美和欧洲，还有用灯泡、发光的雪橇、雪人和其他圣诞人物装饰屋子外部的传统。圣诞节最传统的装饰颜色是青色、雪白和大红。
圣诞老人的原名是什么？
The most famous and pervasive of these figures in modern celebration worldwide is Santa Claus, a mythical gif bringer, dressed in red, whose origins have disputed sources. Santa Claus is a corruption of the Dutch Sinterklaas, which means simply Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra (in modern day Turkey) in the fourth century. Among other saintly attributes, he was noted for the care of Children, generosity, and the giving of gifts.
全球最知名的圣诞人物恐怕就是圣诞老人了，他老人家带礼物、穿红衫，广受小盆友欢迎。他的英文名Santa Claus是德语Sinterklaas的误传，而Sinterklaas的直译就是”圣塔尼古拉斯”了。尼古拉斯先生是14世纪玛拉国(今土耳其)的主教，他非常关心孩子，慷慨大方、乐施礼物。后成为圣诞老人的原型。