"We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas…"Have you heard that song? Yup! It's Christmas time! This Christmas, I stayed with my "host family"1. It was an amazing experience to see how a typical American family would celebrate the biggest western festival of the year.
Christmas, like our Spring Festival, has a meaning in itself. Christmas Day, which is on December 25, is the birthday of Jesus Christ--the son of God. That's why it is called Christmas. On that day, Christians would get together with their families to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. But nowadays, the religious meaning of Christmas has become less emphasized. To many families, it is just a time of family reunion and the ever-exciting present-giving.
Our school had been on winter vacation since December 11. I stayed at my friend, Stephen Stapczynski's house--his family was my "host family". Although Christmas was still more than ten days ahead, the festive spirit had already been teeming everywhere. The Christmas tree had already been set up, and on every windowsill, there were Christmas lights. On the first day I arrived at their house, Stephen and I helped Mrs. Stapczynski put decorations on the Christmas tree. The tree looked so nice with all the lights on and the beautiful ornaments dangling from its branches.
As Christmas came closer, the whole neighborhood had made preparations too. Some people would hold parties at their houses, inviting all their neighbors to come. So every night, if you went out, you would see a long line of cars parked in front of some house--a party's on!
What's more, the Christmas decorations that some people put on their windows and in gardens were just amazing. On one night, we went out in our car for a "tour of lights". There was one street that was so famous for its lights that it got its way into the local paper. We had a hard time finding the well-hidden street, but it turned out to be worth the effort. Lights shone brightly in front of nearly every house, on trees, bushes, doors, windows…everywhere, taking different shapes, making it seem almost like daytime. Huge inflatable figures in the front gardens were waving to us: there were Santa Clauses2, of course, chuckling merrily away; and there were also other Christmas figures, like Rudolph3--the red-nosed reindeer--with his red nose gleaming ever so brightly; even Bart Simpson--a character in the famous comedy The Simpsons--had joined the jolly party, wearing a Santa's hat. The street set off a lot of "ooh"s and "aah"s inside the car.4 When we left, there was a line of cars in the street, all there to see the lights.
Christmas is the time for exchanging presents. Stephen and Niko had been thinking about their Christmas lists (a list of things they wish "Santa"to give them for Christmas) for a long time. I didn't want to ask for anything, but the Stapczynskis were so kind to "force"me make one list as well (Mr. Stapczynski told me if I didn't make one he would chop off my legs). So I wrote down a couple of things that I would like to have, and gave the list to them--sorry, my mistake--to Santa.
Finally, Christmas Eve came. There was a special Christmas service at the church at 6 p.m. It was certainly a very interesting experience for me. The priest started the service reading and sang out extractions from a holy book--The Divine Liturgy. For several times, we would stand up and pray.
Sometimes, the church choir would start singing. The atmosphere was very quiet and holy. Then there was a ceremony called "The Receiving Communion". People waited in line to "receive"a spoonful of food from the priest. It was a very special Christmas tradition. The food was made from bread and wine. The bread represents the body of Jesus, and the wine represents his blood. After this ceremony, the priest had a speech. He reminded us not to forget the true meaning of Christmas, and let Jesus really live inside us--that is, to love the people around us wholeheartedly. I think that no matter if you are a Christian or not, this principle should be part of our lives. After the priest finished his speech, the part that I enjoyed most came: Christmas carols5. Christmas carols are songs that people sing at Christmas, such as "Jingle Bells", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "Silent Night"and so on. Some were very merry, others sounded quite holy, but all of them were beautiful. I closed my eyes, and let all the peacefulness and happiness that were in the songs flow through me. What a feeling it was!
We went to sleep earlier that day for we had to get up early on Christmas Day to open our presents. Sure enough, when I was still half-way during a sweet dream, Stephen burst into my room and told me to get up and open presents. There were a huge pile of presents under the Christmas tree, and there was such a mysterious mist shrouding them that made me eager to see what they all were. So one by one, we went through all the presents. Mr. and Mrs. Stapczynski had bought me everything I had written on my Christmas list--and a lot more! I got music CDs, film DVDs, clothes, books… I was very happy, and I didn't know how to express my appreciation for what they had done for me.
Stephen and Niko had gotten a lot of presents too, and they had already been trying out their new games!
In the afternoon, we went to Mrs. Stapczynski's brother, Uncle Stan's house. They had prepared a marvelous meal for us. A lot of their friends and relatives also came. I saw Stephen and Niko's grandparents, Yiayia and Papou (words of grandma and grandpa in GREek--Mrs. Stapczynski's parents came from Greece, so they like the boys using Greek words to call them). They were very kind to me, and treated me just like one of their family members. We had a very luxurious meal, consisting of turkey, beef, pork, and all sorts of other food.
After the meal, when all the stomachs were full and everyone was feeling drowsy6 from all the food, we just sat around the table and chatted, just like what we Chinese people do at the Spring Festival. After all, Christmas, like the Spring Festival, is a time for us to get away from our busy lives, a time for family gathering, and a time to have some fun.
Notes:
1. host family: 寄住家庭或接待家庭。学校安排那些圣诞节仍留在美国的国际学生住在当地的寄住家庭中。
2. Santa Claus: 圣诞老人。
3. Rudolph: 每到圣诞节，圣诞老人乘坐驯鹿雪撬给孩子们送礼物，其中指路的驯鹿的名字叫Rudolph，它的鼻子是红色的，所以称其为"red-nose reindeer"。
4. 街上的景象使车中响起一片惊奇的声音。set off: 激起，引起。
5. carol: （圣诞）颂歌。
6. drowsy: 困倦的。
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英国:
In Britain, Christmas Day is normally spent at home, with the family, and it is regarded as a celebration of the family and its continuity. Preparations start well in advance, with the sending of Christmas cards and installation of a decorated Christmas tree in a prominent place in the home. Although it is now a firmly established tradition, the Christmas tree was first popularised by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, who introduced the custom from his native Germany in 1840.
在英国，圣诞节往往在家和家人一起过，且被视为对家庭和睦的一种庆祝。准备工作很早就开始了，大家寄贺卡且在家最显眼的地方装饰圣诞树。尽管这已经成为了根深蒂固的传统，圣诞树最早是由维多利亚女王的丈夫，阿尔伯特王子在1840年从德国引入这一风俗，且开始流行起来。
Some houses are decorated with everGREens (plants which do not lose their leaves in winter); a wreath of holly on the front door and garlands of holly, ivy and fir indoors. Bunches of mistletoe are often hung above doorways - any couple passing underneath must exchange kisses! Traditional food is prepared: sweet mince pies, a rich Christmas cake and the Christmas pudding. Everyone has their own favourite recipe, but they’re all packed full of spices, nuts, dried fruit and brandy.
Presents are bought and wrapped, and traditionally placed under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Christmas is both a secular and a religious holiday, and many families like to attend a midnight service at church on Christmas Eve, or celebrate Christmas in church on Christmas morning.
一些房子用常青植物（冬天不会掉叶子的植物）装点；前门挂圣洁的花圈，屋内用圣洁的花冠，常春藤和皮毛装饰。一捆捆的槲寄生经常放在门口上方——任何从下走过的情侣都必须互吻！要准备的传统食物：甜馅的派，一个花式的圣诞蛋糕和圣诞布丁。人人都有自己喜爱的食谱，但都用足了香料，坚果，干果和白兰地。礼物是买来包好的，通常都是在圣诞夜摆放在圣诞树下的。圣诞节也是世俗的宗教节日，许多家庭喜欢在圣诞夜去教堂参加午夜活动，或者在圣诞节早上去教堂庆祝圣诞。
The excitement begins for children on Christmas Eve, when they hang up their stockings (an old sock or, more ambitiously, pillow cases) around the fireplace or at the foot of the bed for Father Christmas to fill with presents. The English Father Christmas or Santa Claus is first recorded in his traditional red and white outfit in a woodcut of 1653, but the story of Santa arriving in his reindeer-drawn sleigh and descending down the chimney to fill children’s stockings with presents derives from the USA.
圣诞节最兴奋的要属孩子了，他们在壁炉边或者床角挂起袜子（一只旧袜子，或者贪心点，一个枕头），来装圣诞老人的礼物。英国的圣诞老人或者叫Santa Claus最先在1653年被木刻下来，穿着传统的红白服饰，但是关于圣诞老人坐驯鹿拉的雪撬来，并且下到烟囱里给孩子送礼物的故事却是来源于美国的。
Practically everyone sits down to a Christmas dinner in the early afternoon of Christmas Day, traditionally roast turkey, but some families prefer goose or roast beef. The turkey is followed by the Christmas pudding, brought to the table flaming hot. Brandy is poured over the pudding, then lit. After dinner, everyone relaxes by going for a walk, playing games, enjoying their presents or watching television.
实际上，人人都在圣诞节那天下午早早地坐下吃圣诞晚餐，烤火鸡是传统食物，但有些家庭更喜欢鹅或者烤牛肉。在圣诞布丁之后上的菜就是热气腾腾的火鸡。白兰地斟在布丁上，然后点燃。晚饭后，所有人都去散散步放松一下，玩玩游戏，赏玩他们的礼物或者看看电视。
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西班牙
In Spain different set of gift-giving traditions exists. The holiday season extends to Jan. 6, known as Three Kings Day or the Epiphany.1 It is not until Three Kings Day that Spanish children receive their gifts. On the eve of the Epiphany, children set out a pair of shoes to be filled with treats2 by the Three Kings. Usually, three plates of food and three glasses of wine are left out for the visitors, and the waiting shoes are often stuffed with straw for the camels the Magi ride.3
Although gifts are not given until Three Kings Day, the Spanish still celebrate on Christmas Day. One of the most important Christmas traditions is the construction of the Nativity scene, which depicts the stable Christ was born in, complete with parents, angels and animals.4 These scenes are often elaborate and require a good deal of materials and craftsmanship.5 The need for building materials gave rise to6 another Spanish tradition: the Christmas market. These outdoor markets consist of a series of booths7 set up on streets and in squares. The booths sell everything from ornaments and small gifts to figures and building materials for the Nativity scenes.
The Spanish have a number of unique dishes that are traditionally served on Christmas. While some serve turkey, the worldwide favorite, many prefer a distinctly Spanish menu. This meal would consist of almond8 soup followed by seafood. For desert, a candy called marzipan is served. Marzipan is made from almonds, eggs and sugars.
Notes:
1. extend: 延续；Three Kings Day: 三圣节，又称Epiphany（主显节），基督教纪念耶稣向世人显现的节日，通常在每年1月6日。
2. treat: 好东西。
3. 通常，三盘食物和三杯酒是为招待三位访客特意留下的，准备（装礼物）的鞋子中一般都会填满稻草以供东方三博士所骑的骆驼食用。Magi: 东方三博士，为《圣经》中人物，指向初生的耶稣朝拜献礼的东方三圣，下文中提到的the Three Wisemen与此同义。
4. Nativity scene: 也作Nativity play，圣诞剧，关于耶稣诞生的戏剧，通常由儿童在圣诞节期间演出；depict: 描述；stable: 马厩，根据《圣经》记载，耶稣诞生在马厩中。
5. elaborate: 精心计划或制作的；craftsmanship: 技能，技术。
6. give rise to: 引起，导致。
7. booth: 货摊，摊位。
8. almond: 杏仁。
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瑞士
Beautifully dressed small kids visit homes with beautiful gifts a week before Christmas day. Ringing of bell is become a custom. Villagers of distinct villages compete while calling people for midnight mass by ringing the bell. After midnight mass, homemade doughnuts are shared among family members.
On 6th December, Chlausjagen festival or feast of St. Nichohlas is celebrated. A Swiss person eagerly awaits the arrival of Christkindli. He distributes Christmas gifts among people. There is one special fairy tale tram in Zurich. Santa visits on this tram along with little children.
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澳大利亚
The traditional meal in Australia during Christmas celebrations is the turkey dinner, pork and ham. Christmas plum pudding is one of the famous Christmas desserts. Sometimes gold nuggets are also present in Christmas puddings during Christmas gold rushes.
Bondi Beach in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney is one of the famous hang out for thousands of visitors during Christmas celebrations.
Christmas Eve in Australia is known for celebrating Carols by Candlelight. During Christmas celebrations, thousands of people surround them with Christmas Bush. Christmas Bush is a native Christmas native plant with red flowered leaves.
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日本
Although, a few percentage of Japanese population believe in Christ, still people love to decorate their home and stores with Christmas trees. Exchanging of Christmas gifts is an important Christmas tradition in Japan. Hotei-osho acts as Santa Claus during Christmas celebrations. He is a Buddhist monk.
In Japan, Christmas is celebrated by doing nice things, such as helping needy or sick people in hospitals. Christian missionaries mark the arrival of Christmas celebrations. Turkey is one of the famous Christmas recipes in Japan.
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智利
Little clayed figures are placed near the Christmas tree in Chile. This is referred as pesebre. Father of Christmas in Chile is Viejito Pascuero. He wishes everyone Feliz Navidad y un Prospero Anc Nuevo or Happy Christmas.
His arrival is quite similar to Santa Claus. The reindeer draws his cab. Famous Christmas meal of Chile areb azuele de ave, chicken soup wijt stuffed potatoes, corn on cob and onions. Pan de pasqua is another mouth-watering Christmas recipes. it is usually Christmas bread comprised of candies and fruits.
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奥地利
Christmas celebrations start with the feast of St. Nicholas. Saint is accompanied with a devil. He asks small children about their good and bad actions. Toys, sweets and nuts are gifted to good children. Brass instruments are used for playing chorale music. Carol singers visit house to house with blazing torches and manger. They assemble on the steps of church.
In the year 1818, song Silent Night was sung first time. It was sung in the village church located in Oberndorf. Traditional Christmas dinner of Austria is baked carp. Good children are rewarded with nuts, apples and sweets by St. Nicholas on 6th December. St. Nicholas is also known as Heiliger Nikolaus.
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丹麦
On Christmas Eve, dinner starts with rice pudding. This rice pudding is comprised of a magical almond.
Christmas recipe in Denmark also comprised of goose, red cabbage and browned potatoes, along with pastries and cakes.
Christmas plate is one of the world famous Danish traditions. During earlier times, rich Dans used to gift plates biscuits and fruits to their servants.
Christmas decoration plays significant role during Christmas celebrations. People decorate their houses with bright paper, wooden bits and straw.
Parents usually decorate Christmas trees in a secret manner. Children are not allowed to see Christmas tree.
Christmas tree is beautifully lit up and family members assemble around it on Christmas Eve. All of them sing Christmas carols and dance.
