He comes from the north on a blowmobile every Chrismas Day. He went into people's houses by the track and he put the presents into children's socks. So in western countries,parents put the gifts to their kids in kids' socks and put them on the head of the bed on Chrismas Eve. On the second day, the first thing after kids wake up is to find the presents from Chrismas Fathers.
每年圣诞节他驾着鹿拉的雪橇从北方而来,由烟囱进入各家,把圣诞礼物装在袜子里挂在孩子们的床头上或火炉前。所以,西方人过圣诞节时,父母把给孩子的圣诞礼物装在袜子里,圣诞夜时挂在孩子们的床头上。第二天,孩子们醒来后的第一件事就是在床头上寻找圣诞老人送来的礼物。
2、圣诞袜
It is said that there was a goodness man went broke his domain. He lived a hard life and he has three daughters. The three daughters were being married but he didn't have money to buy dower for his daughters. On the happy Chrismas Eve three girls went to bed early. They didn't know that their father was so worried.
传说有个心地善良的没落贵族,生活非常艰难。三个女儿快要出嫁了,他为没有钱给她们买嫁妆而难过。喜庆的圣诞夜,三个姑娘早早地蜷在炕上睡觉了,剩下父亲在长吁短叹。
At last the Chrismas father decided to help them . He besprinkled gold through the stack and the gold fell into the socks of the man's daughters. They lived a happy life from then on... Chrismas socks was origined by this.
圣诞老人决定帮助他们。他在他们家的烟囱里撒下了许多金子,落进姑娘们烤在火炉旁的长统丝袜里。从此,他们过上了幸福而快乐的生活……圣诞节的袜子就这样产生。
3、圣诞树
It is said that there was a farmer served a poor boy on a cold windy Chrismas Eve and gave him a big chrisemas meal. The boy cut a Fir tree's branch and inserted it into the earth.He said, "every year this time. there will be many presents in this branch. I wish I can pay back to your favor by this beautiful Fir tree. " After the boy left, the farmer discovered that the branch had grow up as a big tree. Then he realized that the boy was an envoy of the god. This is the origin of the chrismas day.
另一个传说记载。据说有一位农民在一个风雪交加的圣诞夜里接待了一个饥寒交迫的小孩,让他吃了一顿丰盛的圣诞晚餐,这个孩子告别时折了一根杉树枝插在地上并祝福说:“年年此日,礼物满枝,留此美丽的杉村,报答你的好意。”小孩走后,农民发现那树枝竟变成了一棵小树,他才明白自己接待的原来是一位上帝的使者。这个故事就成为圣诞树的来源。
In western countries, Whatever you are, everyone will prepare a chrismas tree to increase the happiness of the chrismas day. Chrismas trees are made of evergreen tree like Fir trees and they represent the long lives.People put candles,flowers,toys,stars on the tree and they put chrismas present on the tree. On Chrismas Eve,people sing and dance happily and they enjoy themselves around the tree.
在西方,不论是否基督徒,过圣诞节时都要准备一棵圣诞树,以增加节日的欢乐气氛。圣诞树一般是用杉柏之类的常绿树做成,象征生命长存。树上装饰着各种灯烛、彩花、玩具、星星,挂上各种圣诞礼物。圣诞之夜,人们围着圣诞树唱歌跳舞,尽情欢乐。
圣诞节习俗
1、Preparation of the Christmas cake
烘烤圣诞蛋糕
This was an English tradition which started centuries ago. On Christmas eve, plum porridge was served to the people. As years passed, various other things like dry fruits, honey and spices were used. Soon this porridge got replaced with the Christmas cake. Christmas cakes are made using eggs, butter, confections, fruits, etc. Today a Christmas cake is an integral part of a Christmas menu.
这项英式传统早在几个世纪以前就流传开了,以前人们在平安夜喝梅花粥。随着时间慢慢推移,人们还会享用果脯、蜂蜜及香料食物等,随后圣诞蛋糕便代替梅花粥出现了。圣诞蛋糕由鸡蛋、黄油、甜点、水果等烘制而成。现如今,圣诞蛋糕已成为圣诞菜谱不可或缺的一部分。
2、Decorating the Christmas Tree
装扮圣诞树
This refers to the tradition of decorating a pine tree using lights, tinsels, garlands, ornaments, candy canes, etc. Today, a Christmas tree is an indispensable part of Christmas celebration.
这个传统指的是用彩灯、金箔、花环、饰品、糖果条等装扮松树。现如今,圣诞树也是欢庆节日不可或缺的一部分。
3、Lighting up the Christmas candle
点燃圣诞蜡烛
This refers to the tradition of placing a lighted candle outside houses during the Christmas season. A candle signifies hope as it brings light even to the darkest room. In the earlier times, when Christians were persecuted, they were not allowed to practice prayers. Hence, a single candle used to be placed outside the house as a sign that Christian prayers were being conducted inside.
这个传统指的是人们会在圣诞期间在屋子外面放一支点燃的蜡烛。即便在最黑暗的屋子,蜡烛也能带来光明,寓意希望。早些年代,也就是基督徒深受迫害的时候,他们被禁止布道祷告。因此,基督徒们在屋外放一支蜡烛,暗示他们仍在心里默默祷告。
4、Distributing Christmas candies
分发圣诞糖果
This is one of the most wonderful traditions of all. Christmas candies are distributed to neighbors during the Yuletide season. On the day of Christmas, all misunderstandings and grudges are forgotten and the community comes together to celebrate the birth of Christ.
这是所有传统中最有趣的一个。圣诞季人们向邻居们分发圣诞糖果;圣诞节那天,所有误会与仇恨统统化解,邻里之间团结一致共同庆祝耶稣的诞生。
圣诞相关高频词语
1、Boxing Day圣诞节后的第一个工作日
12月26日,圣诞节后的第一个工作日。在西方的封建时代,这一天庄园主会把一个载满物品的盒子(box)送给住在园子里的奴隶。因此,这一天就被叫做Boxing Day。现在,很多商场选择在这一天大减价,就相当于我们的“双十一”。
举个例子:
I'm nearly broke after preparing for Boxing Day.
为了Boxing Day,我已经准备吃土了。
2、Candy Cane 拐杖糖
圣诞节是庆祝耶稣诞生的日子,而柺杖糖是最应景的糖果,因为它蕴藏了许多含义。把它倒向一边,就是英文字母J,耶稣英文名Jesus的第一个字母。把它倒向另一边,就像是牧羊人赶羊的柺杖,因为最先听到耶稣诞生的是一群牧羊人。
举个例子:
My mom made a candy cane for me.
我妈妈给我做了一个拐杖糖。
3、Reindeer 驯鹿
驯鹿在传说中专门为圣诞老人拉雪橇。
举个例子:
The reindeer pull Santa Claus through the air on his sleigh.
驯鹿拉着圣诞老人在空中飞驰。
4、Ginger Bread 姜饼
十字军东征的时候,姜是一种昂贵的进口香料,把姜加入蛋糕、饼干中能增加风味,并有驱寒的功用,只舍得用在圣诞节、复活节这样的重要节庆。
举个例子:
She sniffed a pleasant smell of ginger bread.
她闻到了姜饼的香味。
对于英国人来说,圣诞节的重要性就像中国的春节,而英国私校每年的圣诞假期,则标志着秋季学期结束,孩子们也将迎来近一个月的假期。而在假期之前,学校也会为孩子们准备圣诞的主题活动,一起庆祝新年即将到来。返回搜狐,查看更多