用英语说圣诞节的来历中英文对照
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.
“圣诞节”这个名称是“基督弥撒”的缩写。弥撒是教会的一种礼拜仪式。耶诞节是一个宗教节。我们把它当作耶稣的诞辰来庆祝，因而又名耶诞节。这一天，世界所有的基督教会都举行特别的礼拜仪式。但是有很多圣诞节的欢庆活动和宗教并无半点关联。交换礼物，寄圣诞卡，这都使圣诞节成为一个普天同庆的日子。
在美国，圣诞节宴席上的传统食物有填馅的火鸡、土豆泥、越橘酱等。a traditional christmas dinner in america includes stuffed turkey (火鸡) , mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce (越橘酱) , and a variety of other dishes.烤火鸡不但在美国，在加拿大、澳大利亚和新西兰也是圣诞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.也有的人家不吃火鸡，而吃火腿或烤鹅。some families have ham or roast goose instead of turkey.人们最喜欢的饭后甜点包括甜馅饼或南瓜馅饼、李子布丁和水果蛋糕。favorite desserts include mince pie or pumpkin pie, plum pudding and fruitcake.蛋奶酒是许多家庭喜欢的饮料。eggnog is a popular christmas beverage (饮料) in many homes.在英国，圣诞宴在中午举行，传统食品有烤火鸡或烤鹅、圣诞布丁、甜馅饼和葡萄酒。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.
圣诞节的重要传统之一是接受圣诞老人赠送的礼物。one of the most important christmas traditions is receiving gifts from santa claus.许多小孩子相信自己在圣诞节收到的礼物来自圣诞老人。圣诞老人是个快活的胖老头儿，长着白胡子，身穿红袍，头戴红帽。据说圣诞老人从北极附近的某地出发，驾着驯鹿拉的雪橇从空中飞到各家，从烟囱进入屋内，留下礼物。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 (驯鹿) and comes down the chimney to leave the presents.现在，许多国家，包括美国、加拿大、英国 和澳大利亚，都有圣诞老人把节日礼物送给孩子们。today, santa claus brings presents to children in many countries, including the united states, canada, great britain and australia.许多商店雇人装扮成圣诞老人，倾听孩子们的愿望。many department stores hire people to wear a santa claus costume and listen to children's requests.在英国，圣诞老人也叫“ father christmas ”。 in great britain santa claus is also called father christmas.圣诞节前几周，孩子们就开始写信给圣诞老人，告诉他自己想要什么礼物。during the weeks before christmas, children write letters to father christmas and tell him what presents they would like to receive.然后他们把信扔进壁炉的火里。they then throw these letters into the fire.他们相信，如果上升的气流把灰烬顺烟囱带了上去，他们的愿望便会得到满足。children believe that if a draft draws the letter up through the chimney, their wishes will be fulfilled.