Merry       Christmas

活动现在开始哈,大家进来祝福下吧,
也可以谈谈这个圣诞节的打算啊,对圣诞节的看法啊等......

说得越多,浮云奖励越多哈(Speak in English).




再不懂西方历史，您也知道，“圣诞节”是为纪念耶稣的诞辰。不过，如何简洁明了地介绍圣诞节的渊源，如何解析圣诞节对现代西方人的意义？本文会给您一个满意的答案。甚至是，阅读完如下文字，您完全可以向友人炫耀您的“圣诞知识”，比如，关于圣诞树与维多利亚女王的爱情，关于圣诞老人、圣诞袜与施恩互助的传说……
 

背景知识：The story for the Christmas season


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Most people know that the simple meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God in the Christian religion. The word Christmas originated from an old English phrase, "Cristes Masse", meaning the mass of Christ（基督弥撒） . The date, December 25, was established by Bishop Liberius of Rome in 354 AD. He selected the date to mark the official time for celebrating Christ's birth. Before then, the birth of Jesus was observed on different days and even to this day no one is certain the exact date of Christ's birth.

　

Christmas celebrations


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Cultural celebrations of Christmas include glittering light displays, the ever-present jolly oldSanta Claus（圣诞老人） , group celebrations and singing called carolling（圣诞颂歌）, baked holiday cookies and cakes, decorations of mistletoe（槲寄生，装饰性植物）and pine wreaths, lighted, ornamented Christmas trees with wrapped presents displayed underneath. The spirit of Christmas at its heart is a festival to celebrate family, love, gratitude to others and giving presents to show appreciation to friends and loved ones.

In Europe, typically, family and friends gather together on Christmas Eve, on Dec 24, for a big turkey dinner, completed with Christmas pudding (a rich cake with brandy source). Everyone shares their stories of the year or brings a newsletter to read out for what has happened during the past year. Games are played after the dinner. On Christmas day, Dec 25, a brunch （常用构词法： breakfast+lunch）with family is the norm, followed by some light sporting events, such as a country walk, to digest the heavy food.

Dec 26 is called Boxing Day（节礼日，往往在这一日大家互赠礼物） in the UK, which means everyone opens their box of presents - the most joyful day for the children. In the US, having just celebrated Thanksgiving with turkey, Christmas Eve dinner is more likely to have ham on the menu with a heavy desert. Dec 25, the Christmas Day is normally the day all the presents are opened.

　

Christmas trees & cards


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The tradition of having a pine tree as a Christmas Tree is believed to come from Germany. Since the medieval time, lighting a candle on a tree is common to welcome guests. Such practice has evolved into the Christmas celebration.

The formal Christmas Tree was introduced to England about 100 years ago when Queen Victoria married German Albert. The evidence of Victoria's love for Albert is not only expressed through inheriting the German tradition of having a Christmas Tree but also through the gold Albert Statues that Victoria had ordered built for Albert, standing in many places in London. In America, the Christmas Tree idea was brought by German immigrants too.

The custom of sending Christmas cards was initiated in England around 1850. The first cards were decorated with elaborate designs of flowers, birds and landscapes.


　Santa Claus


As for Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, the story goes back to the third century.

Legend has it, Saint Nicholas dedicated all his life to helping mankind, especially children. He died on December 6, which marks the Saint Nicholas Day in many European countries and that was when gifts were given to children. St. Nicholas bears many different names, such as Father Christmas in the UK, San Nicolass in the Netherlands, Le Pere Noel in France, and Kriss Kringle in Germany.

He also arrives on different dates to deliver presents to children in different countries, typically from chimneys. The chimney story was this: Santa flew over house tops in a sleigh, he dropped coins by accident and they landed in some stockings hanging next to the fireplace to dry. From then on, red stockings were hung by the chimney in hopes Santa would fill them with gifts.

Most countries use fabric stocking while in others, wood shoes are also placed on earth for Santa's gift-dropping. In America, the image of Santa Claus was conceived by the famous poem "The Night Before Christmas", written by Clement Moor. Moor transformed the Santa character from a saint in a long robe to a chubby, rosy-cheeked elderly man in a red suit, riding on a sleigh pulled by a team of reindeer.



　Christmas carols



The tradition of carol singing originated from the carolling practised by the Waits in the fourteenth century. Waits were royal singers who were sent by the court to perform in selected homes for treats, pennies and/or fun. "Carol" means a circle dance accompanied by a song. Most Christmas carols we sing now were composed around 1400-1600's.



　Jewish Chanukah


The Jewish community celebrates Chanukah（光明节，为纪念公元前165年犹太人战胜希腊的叙利亚侵略者并夺回圣殿） instead of Christmas in December. Chanukah (Hanukkah) is celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar, usually falling somewhere in December on the Gregorian calendar.

Chanukah commemorates the cleansing of the Temple after the Jews defeated their occupation by the Syrian Greeks and is observed by lighting the candles of the menorah for eight days, one on the first, two the second and so on so forth.


[ 此贴被channing在2006-12-23 18:50重新编辑 ]

圣诞歌曲:     Silent   Night





点此下载



“平安夜，圣善夜。万暗中，光华射，照着圣母也照着圣婴。圣洁婴儿多么纯真、多么可爱，静享天赐[屏蔽]，静享天赐[屏蔽]……”

说到圣诞歌曲，大概没有哪首能比这首“Silent Night”（《平安夜》） 更广为人知的了。甚至是，受启于它美丽的意境，我们中国人时常把“圣诞节前夕”称作“平安夜”。

据说，《平安夜》诞生于奥地利一个名叫Oberndorf的村子里，那里居住着许多艺术天才。每年圣诞前夕，村子里就会举行大型的圣诞晚会，在做弥撒时唱许多圣诞歌曲，以此感激耶稣的降临。

1918年圣诞节前一天，牧师Joseph Mohr（约瑟夫·马赫）发现教堂里的管风琴被可恶的大老鼠咬坏了。夜幕降临，他难过地走在乡间小路上，当看到银色的月光撒满整个湖面，一种平安、祥和以及感激之情霎那间充盈心灵。想到一千多[屏蔽]，耶稣降临时同样没有管风琴伴奏，天使们却能吟唱出世界上最动听的歌曲……于是，这首如今几乎成为圣诞节官方“节歌”的《平安夜》就这样默无声息地诞生了。后来，它由奥地利传入德国，随即风靡全球。


比利·基文的嗓音清澈透明、情感丰沛，让人感受到无法言及的温柔和喜悦。这个孩子与其他童星最大的区别是，他的声音尽管稚嫩却颇具大将风范。这正是他吸引世界的特别之处：成人在他的歌声中既可以得到向往已久的纯真，又可以避免陷入过分稚气、[屏蔽]臭未干的孩童呓语里。

 
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Lyrics      

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round your Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace


Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

(Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born)

 
Words & phrases      

1．Hallelujah：哈利路亚（赞美上帝用语）


[ 此贴被channing在2006-12-21 00:50重新编辑 ]

圣诞节祝福用语


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这个周末就是圣诞节了。圣诞互赠礼物、卡片可是习俗之一哦！发愁该怎么写圣诞卡？这里就给大家提供一些圣诞祝福常用语，帮你解难！

Wishing you peace, joy and happiness throughout Christmas and the coming year.
在圣诞和新年来临之际，祝福你平安、快乐、幸福！

Warm greetings and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!
致以热烈的祝贺和良好的祝福，圣诞快乐，新年快乐。

It seems that Christmas time is here once again, and it is time again to bring in the New Year. We wish the merriest of Christmases to you and your loved ones, and we wish you happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.
圣诞节转眼又到，又该迎接新的一年了。我们向你及你的亲人们致以最美好的圣诞祝福，愿你在新的一年里事业兴旺，幸福美满！

May Christmas and the New Year be filled with happiness for you.
愿你圣诞和新年幸福无尽。

With good wishes for a brilliant and happy Christmas season. Hope things are going all right with you.
在这辉煌快乐的圣诞佳节，献上一切美好的祝福！祝一切顺心如意！

Christmas comes but once a year. But when it comes it brings good cheer.
圣诞节一年只有一次，但每次来临都带来喜悦。

May you have the best Christmas ever.
愿你度过最美好的圣诞节！

Wishing you much joy in the coming year. May the warmest wishes, happiest thoughts and friendliest greetings come at Christmas and stay with you all the year through.
让温馨的祝愿、幸福的思念和友好的祝福，在圣诞佳节来到你身边，伴你左右。

A Christmas greeting to cheer you up, from your daughters.
愿女儿的圣诞祝福带给你快乐。

At Christmas and always, may peace and love fill your heart, beauty fill your world, and contentment and joy fill your days.
圣诞的祝福，平日的希冀，愿你心境祥和、充满爱意，愿你的世界全是美满，愿你一切称心如意，快乐无比。

Wishing you peace and love in this Christmas season, from all your students.
祝老师圣诞节充满平安和爱。

I hope all your Christmas dreams come true!
愿你所有的圣诞梦想都成真！

Hope you enjoy the happiness of Christmas and all the trimmings.
祝你享尽圣诞佳节的快乐和圣诞的礼品。

I wish you a merry Christmas. Affection and best wishes to you and yours.
以我所有的爱心与真诚祝你及全家圣诞快乐。

In the season of joy I present my sincerest wishes and kindest thoughts. May this Christmas outshine all the rest.
在这欢乐的时节给你我最真的祝福和亲切的思念，愿你今年的圣诞比往年更璀璨。

May Christmas be a time of laughter and real joy for you. Best wishes.
愿圣诞不仅是你欢笑的时刻，更是你欣喜的日子。祝福你。

May the glow of the Christmas candle fill your heart with peace and pleasure and make your New Year's bright. Have a love-filled Christmas and New Year!
愿圣诞的烛光带给你祥和与喜悦，祝你的圣诞和新年充满爱。

Christmas should be a time of banked-up fines, the scent of flowers and wine, good talk, good memories and loyalties renewed. But if all else is lacking - love will do.
圣诞是这样美好的时光：炉火熊熊，花儿芬芳，醇酒飘香，殷殷祝福，美好回忆，恩爱日新。即便没有一切，只要有爱便足矣。

With the old wish that is ever new, may the greeting do its share toward making your Christmas a pleasant one.
老的祝福，却又常新，愿此祝福使你的圣诞更加愉快圆满。

Numerous loving wishes for my wife who will always be my valuable Christmas gift and everything to me.
无尽的爱恋与祝福，献给我的爱妻，你永远是我珍贵的圣诞礼物和我的一切！


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[ 此贴被channing在2006-12-21 12:58重新编辑 ]

圣诞歌曲:     When Christmas Comes To Town





[url=http://192.168.2.6/english/When Christmas Comes To Town.mp3]点此下载[/url]



“只有相信圣诞老人的存在，你才能听到驯鹿身上清脆的铃铛声。” 2004年热播动画影片“The polar express （《极地快车》）再次引领我们追问圣诞老人的意义……

“圣诞老人”是童年最真最纯的梦，可是，即使等到你远离童真不再期盼圣诞袜里的惊喜，你也应该相信圣诞精灵的存在。他不只是商家手中蓄着雪白胡子的红衣老人，也不仅仅只会在圣诞前夕才从烟囱里冒出来给众人分发礼物。“圣诞老人”更是博爱、互助的象征，代表着用真心送递祝福和分享爱心的愿望。

世界各地到处都有圣诞老人的身影，他会使用不同的名字，形象也不尽相同。在美国，它叫Santa Claus，是个圆乎乎胖嘟嘟的快乐小老头；在德国、奥地利和瑞士，它叫Christkind（耶稣圣婴），是一个身穿白衣的金发小姑娘；在英国，它叫Father Christmas（圣诞之父），比其它圣诞老人更庄严，更清瘦……

不管它叫做什么，长成什么模样，“圣诞老人”的真正精神在于——你给与了什么而不是得到了什么。一旦懂得这些，你就明白，圣诞老人就住在你的心里面。


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“我向星星许愿，并坚持相信，圣诞老人确实存在。我想，他一定很忙，不然不会不来看我。圣诞来临时，我总会想到圣诞老人，那是一年中最好的时光，所有的人都回家团聚，朋友们聚在一起竖起圣诞树。平安夜里，没有人睡觉，大家都翘首盼望圣诞老人的降临。他驾着的雪橇铃声响起，我听到了，四周全是鹿铃声……”

在影片《极地快车》中，当寻找圣诞老人的火车驶入北极圈，相信圣诞老人存在的小男孩和多才多艺的小女孩站在极地特快车厢的尽头，合唱了这首忧伤的“When Christmas comes to town”（《当圣诞来到小镇》）。纯净的童音，就像孩子的心灵一尘不染；简单的歌词，就是孩子的内心独语，带着梦想，充满真诚，期盼圣诞老人的到来。



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Lyrics      

When Christmas comes to town  

La la la la ...
I'm wishing on a star
And trying to believe
That even though it's far
He'll find me at Christmas Eve
I guess Santa is busy
Cause he never comes around
I think of him when Christmas comes to town

The best time of the year
When everyone comes home
With all this Christmas tear
It's hard to be alone
Putting up the Christmas tree
With friends you come around
It's so much fun when Christmas comes to town

Presents for the children wrapped in red and green
All the things I've heard about, but never really see
No one will be sleeping on the night of Christmas Eve
Hoping Santa's on his way

Presents for the children wrapped in red and green
All the things I've heard about, but never really see
No one will be sleeping on the night of Christmas Eve
Hoping Santa's on his way

When Santa's sleigh bells ring
I listen all around
The herald angels sing
I never hear a sound
And all the dreams of children
Once lies will all be found
That's all I want when Christmas comes to town
That's all I want when Christmas comes to town


[ 此贴被channing在2006-12-21 13:05重新编辑 ]

Christmas words concerned


**Where does the word "Christmas" come from?

Christmas = Christ - Mass = "The Mass of Christ"
Christ = Jesus Christ
"Mass" = Roman Catholic religious Church service of "mass".

The word "mass" probably comes from the last words of the service of "mass", which are "you are dismissed" = "missa est" in Latin. From the Latin word "missa" comes the English word "mass"

** Why is December 24th called "Christmas Eve"?

In old times, days started at sunset. So the evening of the day, the "eve" happened first.

Then we changed to days starting at midnight. Now the "eve" is evening of the previous day. So "Christmas Eve" is the day before Christmas.

** What does the phrase "Boxing Day" mean?

The day after Christmas day when presents are given to extended family and friends.

Possibly dating from the Middle Ages when the householder would give presents to the servants and tradesmen. It is a public holiday in some Commonwealth countries.

** Why does the word "Bethlehem" refer to?

A small town in Judea near Jerusalem, where King David was born and the birthplace of Jesus.

** What are the Christmas songs called?

Christmas Carols - Carols, song used in celebrations and dances, written for and sung at Christmas.


[ 此贴被channing在2006-12-23 18:20重新编辑 ]

圣诞歌曲:     The Magic Of The Night





点此下载


The magic of the night”节奏轻快，颇具节日氛围，更适合平安夜里倾心聆听。

“灿烂星空下，闭上双眼许个心愿。你是在做梦吗？竟然听到天使在歌唱，世界万物也祥和一片。 这，就是平安夜的魔力所在……”

 

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Lyrics            


The magic of the night       By   Enya

When the stars are in the skies,
Make a wish then close your eyes.
Are you dreaming,
Angels singing,
Everything is right.
It's the magic of the night.

Far horizons made of snow,
Bring the hopes each child will know.
Someone's dreaming,
Bells are ringing,
Everything is white.
It's the magic of the night.

High up in the sky, can you see a shining light?
Can it be that we can see an angel who is flying, flying?

Can an angel lose their way,
Who of us on earth can say?
Someone's dreaming,
Angels singing,
Everything is right.
It's the magic of the night.

High up in the sky, can you see a shining light?
Can it be that we can see an angel who is flying, flying?

When the stars are in the skies,
Make a wish then close your eyes.
Are you dreaming,
Bells are ringing,
Angels are in flight.
It's the magic of the night.

Angels are in flight,
It's the magic of the night.


[ 此贴被channing在2006-12-23 18:28重新编辑 ]