christmas is a christian holiday that celebrates the birth of jesus christ. no one knows the exact date of christ's birth, but most christians observe christmas on december 25. on this day, many go to church, where they take part in special religious services. during the christmas season, they also exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe, and christmas trees. the word christmas comes from cristes maesse, an early english phrase that means mass of christ. the story of christmas comes chiefly from the gospels of saint luke and saint matthew in the new testament.
“聖誕節”這個名稱是“基督彌撒”的縮寫。彌撒是教會的一種禮拜儀式。耶誕節是一個宗教節。我們把它當作耶穌的誕辰來慶祝，因而又名耶誕節。這一天，世界所有的基督教會都舉行特別的禮拜儀式。但是有很多聖誕節的歡慶活動和宗教並無半點關聯。交換禮物，寄聖誕卡，這都使聖誕節成為一個普天同慶的日子。
在美國，聖誕節宴席上的傳統食物有填餡的火雞、土豆泥、越橘醬等。a traditional christmas dinner in america includes stuffed turkey (火雞) , mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce (越橘醬) , and a variety of other dishes.烤火雞不但在美國，在加拿大、澳大利亞和紐西蘭也是聖誕宴席上最普遍的主菜。roast turkey is the most popular main course not only in the united states, but also in canada, australia, and new zealand.也有的人家不吃火雞，而吃火腿或烤鵝。some families have ham or roast goose instead of turkey.人們最喜歡的飯後甜點包括甜餡餅或南瓜餡餅、李子布丁和水果蛋糕。favorite desserts include mince pie or pumpkin pie, plum pudding and fruitcake.蛋奶酒是許多家庭喜歡的飲料。eggnog is a popular christmas beverage (飲料) in many homes.在英國，聖誕宴在中午舉行，傳統食品有烤火雞或烤鵝、聖誕布丁、甜餡餅和葡萄酒。in britain, christmas dinner is eaten at noon, and the dinner usually includes roast turkey or goose, christmas pudding with mince pies, and accompanied by wine.
聖誕節的重要傳統之一是接受聖誕老人贈送的禮物。one of the most important christmas traditions is receiving gifts from santa claus.許多小孩子相信自己在聖誕節收到的禮物來自聖誕老人。聖誕老人是個快活的胖老頭兒，長著白鬍子，身穿紅袍，頭戴紅帽。據說聖誕老人從北極附近的某地出發，駕著馴鹿拉的雪橇從空中飛到各家，從煙囪進入屋內，留下禮物。many young children believe that the presents they receive at christmas are given by santa claus, who is a jolly, white-bearded fat man in a red suit and red hat. according to the story, santa claus travels through the air from somewhere near the north pole in a sled drawn by reindeer (馴鹿) and comes down the chimney to leave the presents.現在，許多國家，包括美國、加拿大、英國 和澳大利亞，都有聖誕老人把節日禮物送給孩子們。today, santa claus brings presents to children in many countries, including the united states, canada, great britain and australia.許多商店僱人裝扮成聖誕老人，傾聽孩子們的願望。many department stores hire people to wear a santa claus costume and listen to children's requests.在英國，聖誕老人也叫“ father christmas ”。 in great britain santa claus is also called father christmas.聖誕節前幾周，孩子們就開始寫信給聖誕老人，告訴他自己想要什麼禮物。during the weeks before christmas, children write letters to father christmas and tell him what presents they would like to receive.然後他們把信扔進壁爐的火裡。they then throw these letters into the fire.他們相信，如果上升的氣流把灰燼順煙囪帶了上去，他們的願望便會得到滿足。children believe that if a draft draws the letter up through the chimney, their wishes will be fulfilled.
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