圣诞节知识大扫盲

 　　1. 圣诞节的来历是什么？

　　In Christianity, Christmas is the festival celebrating the Nativity of Jesus, the Christian 1 belief that the Messiah foretold 2 in the Old Testament's Messianic prophecies was born to the Virgin 3 Mary。
　　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。
　　2. 传统的圣诞习俗有哪些？
　　Even in countries where there is a strong Christian tradition, Christmas celebrations can vary markedly from country to country. For many Christians 4, a religious service plays an important part in the recognition of the season. Secular 5 processions, featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal 6 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。
　　3. 各国的圣诞大餐都吃些啥？
　　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 standardChristmas meal would include turkey, potatoes, vegetables, sausages and gravy 7, followed by Christmas pudding or mince 8 pies. In Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish often 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。
　　4. 圣诞的传统装饰都有哪些？
　　Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly 9, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus 10. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen 11 foliage 12. In Australia, North and South America, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated 13 sleighs, snow-men, 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(拜痞子蔡所赐相信大家都知道了那个著名的关于亲吻的故事)、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。
　　5. 圣诞赞歌有什么来源吗？
　　In the thirteenth century, in France, Germany, and particularly, Italy, a strong tradition of popular Christmas songs in the native language developed. Christmas carols in English first appear in 1426. The songs we know specifically as carols were originally communal 14 songs sung during celebrations like harvest tide as well as Christmas。
　　13世纪，法国德国、特别是在意大利，用当地语言写成的圣诞歌开始流行起来。第一首英语的圣诞赞歌写于1426年。现在为我们所熟知的那些圣诞赞歌应该是和丰收节的传统一并起源的。