聖誕節怎麼來的英語介紹
『壹』 聖誕節的來歷(英文版)
Christmas, also known as Christmas, is translated as "Christ Mass", a traditional western festival, which falls on December 25 each year.
聖誕節（Christmas）又稱耶誕節，譯名為「基督彌撒」，西方傳統節日，在每年12月25日。
Mass is a church service. Christmas is a religious festival because it is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus, hence the name "Christmas".
彌撒是教會的一種禮拜儀式。聖誕節是一個宗教節，因為把它當作耶穌的誕辰來慶祝，故名「耶誕節」。
Most Catholic churches hold midnight mass on Christmas Eve on the 24th, that is, in the early morning of December 25, while some Christian churches hold good news and then celebrate Christmas on December 25. Another major branch of Christianity-Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7 each year.
大部分的天主教教堂都會先在24日的平安夜，亦即12月25日凌晨舉行子夜彌撒，而一些基督教會則會舉行報佳音，然後在12月25日慶祝聖誕節；基督教的另一大分支——東正教的聖誕節慶則在每年的1月7日。
Christmas is also a public holiday in the western world and many other regions, such as Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia and Singapore in Asia. In fact, the Bible does not record the date of Jesus' birth. Christmas was set by later generations.
聖誕節也是西方世界以及其他很多地區的公共假日，例如：在亞洲的香港、澳門、馬來西亞和新加坡。聖經實際上並無記載耶穌誕生日期，聖誕節是後人公定的。
『貳』 聖誕節的由來 英文版（帶翻譯）
每年的12月25日，是基督教徒紀念耶穌誕生的日子，稱為聖誕節。
從12月24日於翌年1月6日為聖誕節節期。節日期間，各國基督教徒都舉行隆重的紀念儀式。聖誕節本來是基督教徒的節日，由於人們格外重視，它便成為一個全民性的節日，國家一年中最盛大的節日，可以和新年相提並論，類 是西方似我國過春節。
西方人以紅、綠、白三色為聖誕色，聖誕節來臨時家家戶戶都要用聖誕色來裝飾。紅色的有聖誕花和聖誕蠟燭。綠色的是聖誕樹。它是聖誕節的主要裝飾品，用砍伐來的杉、柏一類呈塔形的常青樹裝飾而成。上面懸掛著五顏六色的彩燈、禮物和紙花，還點燃著聖誕蠟燭。
紅色與白色相映成趣的是聖誕老人，他是聖誕節活動中最受歡迎的人物。西方兒童在聖誕夜臨睡之前，要在壁爐前或枕頭旁放上一隻襪子，等候聖誕老人在他們入睡後把禮物放在襪子內。在西方，扮演聖誕老人也是一種習俗。
「聖誕節」這個名稱是「基督彌撒」的縮字。彌撒是教會的一種禮拜儀式。耶誕節是一個宗教節。我們把它當作耶蘇的誕辰來慶祝，因而又名耶誕節。這一天，全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。
耶穌的出生是有一段故事的，耶穌是因著聖靈成孕，由童女馬利亞所生的。神更派遣使者加伯列在夢中曉諭約瑟，叫他不要因為馬利亞未婚懷孕而不要她，反而要與她成親，把那孩子起名為「耶穌」，意思是要他把百姓從罪惡中救出來。
當馬利亞快要臨盤的時候，羅馬政府下了命令，全部人民到伯利恆務必申報戶籍。約瑟和馬利亞只好遵命。
他們到達伯利恆時，天色已昏，無奈兩人未能找到旅館渡宿，只有一個馬棚可以暫住。就在這時，耶穌要出生了！於是馬利亞唯有在馬槽上，生下耶穌。後人為紀念耶穌的誕生，便定十二月二十五為聖誕節，年年望彌撒，紀念耶穌的出世。
聖誕節便是於十二月二十五日紀念耶穌的誕生，但真實的誕生日就沒有人知道了。十九世紀，聖誕卡的流行、聖誕老人的出現，聖誕節亦開始流行起來。
聖誕老公公的由來
聖誕節是令人雀躍期待的日子，尤其是小孩子。相信大家對聖誕老公公的事都耳熟能詳吧？從前有一個老人，名叫尼古拉斯，他一生最愛幫助貧窮的人家。其中有一次他幫助三個貧窮的少後送他們三袋金子以逃過被賣的不幸。當尼古拉斯偷偷把其中一袋金子送給其中一名女子時，他把金子從其中一個窗戶扔進去，恰好掉進景在壁上的一長襪中。於是，將禮物放在聖誕襪子的送禮方法家挨戶地去要糖果喲！
據說平安夜的晚上，聖誕節老公公會駕著馴鹿雪橇滿載著禮物准備送點這一年來表現很好的小朋友，他會悄悄地從煙囪爬進屋內，禮物塞在掛在床頭的襪子里。所以孩子總會把一條條色彩繽紛的襪子掛在床頭，並在襪子旁邊放杯熱牛奶給勞苦功高的聖誕老人解渴，並送份大禮給自己。
隔天一每個小朋友都迫不及待地打開禮，想知道自己得到什麼獎勵。
到了1822年，一位荷蘭傳教士把這位偉大慈善家的故事傳到美國之後，美國商人更以特殊的行銷手法，每年利用這個節日大張旗鼓地宣傳廣告，大賺一筆，在亞洲的日本及其它各國也群起效尤。因此裝扮聖誕老人來慶祝聖誕節的風俗習慣也就漸漸地流行到世界各國了。
聖誕樹的由來
1.據說大約在十六世紀，德國人最先把長青的松柏枝拿到屋中去擺設，後來，德國傳教士馬丁路德把燭放在樹林中的樅樹枝上，然後點燃，使它看起來像是引導人們到伯利恆的星光，如同二千年前的東方三博士依照天上的星星找到耶穌一般。今日，人們已經改用小燈泡代替蠟燭。
2.傳說在很久以前，有一位農人，在聖誕節那天遇到一位窮苦的小孩，他熱情地接待了孩子，這個小孩臨走時折下根松枝插在地上，松枝立即變成一棵樹，上面掛滿了禮物，用來答謝農人的好意。
然而聖誕樹真正出現在聖誕節，首先見於德國，之後又傳入歐洲和美國，成為聖誕節不可或缺的裝飾物。他們通常用五光十色的彩燈、蠟、禮物或天使來裝聖誕樹，尤其住在美國西北部的人們，因為當地豐富的森林資源，他們會全家人一起去挑選一棵真正的樹做為聖誕樹。聖誕樹的種類繁多，有天然松柏聖誕樹、也有人造聖誕樹及白色聖誕樹。每棵聖誕樹上都掛滿琳琅滿目的裝飾品，但每棵樹的頂端必定有一棵特大的星星，像征著那顆引導東方三博士找到耶穌的星星。而且在傳統習俗上，只有家庭的一家之主才可以把這顆希望之星掛上，旁人是不可以越俎代庖的。
平安夜的由來
聖誕節前夕也就是俗說的平安夜，當晚，全家人會團聚在客廳中，圍繞在聖誕樹旁唱聖誕歌曲，互相交換禮物，彼此分享一年來生活中的喜怒哀樂，表達內心的祝福及愛。在這天晚上都會看到一群可愛的小男生或小女生，手拿詩歌彈著吉他，一家一家的唱著詩歌報佳音。到底佳音隊這種節日活動是怎麼來的呢？
耶穌誕生的那一晚，一在曠野看守羊群的牧羊人，突然聽見有聲音自天上傳來，向他們報耶穌降生的好消息。根據聖經記載，耶穌來是要作世人的王，因此天使便透過這些牧羊人把消息傳給更多的人知道。
後來人們就效仿天使，在平安夜的晚上到處報人傳講耶穌降生的消息，直到今日，報佳音已經變成聖誕節不可缺少的一個節目。
通常佳音隊是由大約二十名青年人，加上一備裝扮成天使的小女孩和一位聖誕老人組成。在平安夜晚上大約是九點過後，開始一家一家的去報佳音。每當佳音隊去到一個家庭時，先會唱幾首大家都熟悉的聖誕歌曲，然後再由小女孩念出聖經的話語讓該戶人家知道今夜是耶穌降生的日子，過後大家一起禱告再唱一兩首詩歌，再由慷慨大方的聖誕老人派送聖誕禮物給那個家庭中的小廳子，整個報佳音的過程就完成了！
譯文如下：
Every year on dec. 25, the birth of Jesus Christ was memorial day of the Muslim, called the Christmas.
From December 24th in next January 6 for Christmas feast. During the festival, christians were held the ceremony. Christmas is originally Christian festivals, because people attention, it became a national holiday, given the biggest festival in a year, and the New Year in western China, the likelihood is the Spring Festival.
Westerners in red, green and white for Christmas, three colors Christmas comes every family to use color to decorate the Christmas. Red with Christmas flower and Christmas candle. Green is the Christmas tree. It was Christmas decorations, the main use of deforestation, a kind of an evergreen tree cypress returned and decoration. The lantern hanging above the colorful paper flowers, gifts and also lit candles, Christmas.
The red and white sceneries is Santa Claus, Christmas is the most popular activities. Western children on Christmas Eve before going to sleep in the fireplace, pillow or a sock next, in their sleep for Santa Claus to fill it after gifts. In the west, Santa is also a custom.
"Christmas" the name is "the word of Christ. Mass" A mass is a form of worship. Christmas is a religious festival. We take it as the birthday of Jesus, and to celebrate Christmas. This day, all over the world in Christian churches all special worship. But there are many Christmas festivities and religious and has no relevance. Exchanging gifts and sending Christmas CARDS, the Christmas day celebrate Christmas.
Jesus' birth is a story, he is by the holy spirit, born of the virgin Mary. God sent messengers add more to Joseph in a dream job, that he don't because Mary and her unmarried pregnancy with her, instead, the boy named "Jesus", meaning is to he rescued the people from sin.
When Mary was linpan, Roman government under the command, all people to Bethlehem must declare household. When Joseph and Mary had to obey.
When they reached Bethlehem, it was already, but they failed to find out that only a hotel accommodation crossing horses may transients. At this moment, Jesus to be born! Then Mary only in a manger, gave birth to Jesus. Later generations to commemorate the birth of Jesus, he decided to Christmas on December 25 every year, mass, to remember Jesus was born.
Christmas is on December 25th commemorate the birth of Jesus, but real birth, no one knows. In the nineteenth century, the popular Christmas CARDS, Santa Claus, Christmas also began to appear.
The origin of Santa Claus
Christmas day is amazing, especially to children. I believe we have the Santa Claus is familiar? Once there was an old man, and he called Nicholas favorites to help poor family life. One time he helps three poor little after three bags of gold to send them to escape being sold misfortune. When Nicholas slipped one bag of gold to one woman, he put gold from one of the window, enter into the scene in the wall of a stocking. So, will present on Christmas stocking gifts from house to house method to candy!
The night is Christmas Eve, caught driving reindeer sleigh full guild to send some gifts for the children, he showed good will quietly in the chimney, present in the head of a bed hangs in stocking. So the children always strips of colour profusion stockings at the head of a bed, and put a cup of hot milk beside the socks to the household of Santa Claus thirst, and send a gift for yourself.
The next one every child can't wait to open the ritual, want to know what his reward.
Arrived in 1822, a Dutch missionaries to the great philanthropist story spread to the United States, American businessman more with special marketing gimmick, using this festival every year, loudly publicity to make a fortune in Asia, Japan and other countries would follow their example. So dressed up Santa Claus to celebrate Christmas customs will graally popular to the world.
The origin of the Christmas tree
1 in the 16th century, said about the German evergreen pine branches to the house to furnish, then, the candle on German missionary in the black fir tree branches, then lit, to make it look like leads people to Bethlehem, like the stars of the magi before the year in accordance with the stars to find him. Today, people have to small bulbs instead of candles.
2 legends in a long time ago, there was a farmer in Christmas day, met a poor child, he received a child, the child when he left a pine root planted in the earth, the pine tree, immediately become hung with gifts, thanks to the farmer kindness.
However, in the Christmas tree really appear in Germany, after the first introced to Europe and America, and become the indispensable Christmas decorations. They usually use colourful lights, wax, gifts for Christmas or angels, especially in the northwestern living people, because the local rich forest resources, they will go to pick the trees as a real tree. Christmas is a natural variety, pine tree and Christmas are also man-made and white Christmas. Each tree is hung on the SAN marino adornment, but every tree must have a tree at the top of the stars, symbolized that guide the magi found Jesus stars. And in the traditional custom, and only the Lord of a family can put the star, others can't hang the longterm.
The origin of the Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is also common says Christmas Eve and the family reunion, in the sitting room, will be around the tree to sing Christmas carols and exchange gifts, and share the joys and sorrows of a life, express the wish and love. In that night will see a group of lovely little boy or girl, hand, playing a guitar, a poem of singing poems, a good tidings. What's this festival is news of how come?
Jesus was born a night in the wilderness, a flock of shepherds, suddenly guard heard a voice from heaven came to Jesus was born, they reported the news. According to the bible, Jesus came to the king of the world, therefore make the angel and through these shepherds message more people know.
Later, people will follow the angels, on the eve of Christmas night BaoRen everywhere preaching Jesus was born, until today, Christmas caroling has become the indispensable one program.
Usually caroling team is made up about twenty young, plus a ready dressed as an angel of the little girl and a Santa Claus. In peace is about nine night after the start of a good tidings to. Whenever I go to a family news team, first will sing a few songs of Christmas, and then read the bible by the little girl GaiHu let people know the words of Jesus' birth day is tonight, after prayer to sing together two poem, again by generous Santa send Christmas gifts to the families of the sons of small hall, the whole process of caroling is finished!
『叄』 聖誕節英語介紹
聖誕節英文介紹：
Christmas, also known as Christmas, is translated as "Christ Mass", which originated from the Lunar New Year celebration in ancient Rome and has nothing to do with Christianity. After the popularity of Christianity in the Roman Empire, the Holy See drifted this folk festival into the Christian system to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
But it is not Jesus'birthday on Christmas Day, because the Bible does not record when Jesus was born, nor does it mention such a festival, which is the result of Christianity's absorption of ancient Roman mythology.
聖誕節中文介紹：
聖誕節又稱耶誕節，譯名為「基督彌撒」，它源自古羅馬人迎接新年的農神節，與基督教本無關系。在基督教盛行羅馬帝國後，教廷隨波逐流地將這種民俗節日納入基督教體系，同時以慶祝耶穌的降生。
但在聖誕節這天不是耶穌的生辰，因為《聖經》未有記載耶穌具體生於哪天，同樣沒提到過有此種節日，是基督教吸收了古羅馬神話的結果。
(3)聖誕節怎麼來的英語介紹擴展閱讀：
聖誕節常見食品：
一、樹干蛋糕
樹干似的蛋糕（Buchedenoel）是著名的法國聖誕美食。
還未發明電力以前，法國人以一棵好柴作為聖誕禮物。法國人天性浪漫，連美食的起緣也浪漫過人：從前有一個買不起聖誕禮物的年青人，在森林撿了一段木頭送給情人，不但贏得芳心，而且從此平步青雲。因此，樹干蛋糕也成為祝願來年好運的象徵。
二、杏仁布丁
當聖誕晚餐開始時，必須先吃一份杏仁布丁，然後才能開始吃別的東西。如果誰能吃到那枚唯一完整的杏仁，誰將是來年運氣最好的一個人，通常大人們會將這枚杏仁放在最小的孩子的碗里讓他們高興。
三、姜餅
德國最著名的聖誕食品是姜餅（Lebkuchen），是一種介乎於蛋糕與餅干之間的小點。傳統的姜餅，以蜂蜜、胡椒粒為材料，又甜又辣，口感刺激。姜餅經過改良，外面灑上一層糖霜，不但口感豐富，外型也相當討好。
四、沙灘宴
當居於北半球的人們在寒風呼嘯中歡度聖誕節時，位於南半球的澳大利亞卻正是仲夏時節。澳大利亞熱情如火的「仲夏聖誕節」既有熱帶風情的慶祝方式，也融合了歐洲傳統聖誕節的經典元素，盡管戶外人們頂著火辣辣的太陽，但商店櫥窗里卻精心布置了冬日雪景：掛滿雪花的聖誕樹和穿紅棉襖的聖誕老人。
參考資料來源：網路—聖誕節
『肆』 聖誕節的由來（英文）
ehimabigchrisemasmeal．TheboycutaFirtree＇．Hesaid，＂everyyearthistime．．．＂
Aftertheboyleft，．．．Inwesterncountries，Whateveryouare，．lives．
Peopleputcandles，flowers，toys，．OnChrismasEve，．
譯文：
據說有一位農民在一個風雪交加的聖誕夜裡接待了一個飢寒交迫的小孩，讓他吃了一頓豐盛的聖誕晚餐，這個孩子告別時折了一根杉樹枝插在地上並祝福說：「年年此日，禮物滿枝，留此美麗的杉村，報答你的好意。」
小孩走後，農民發現那樹枝竟變成了一棵小樹，他才明白自己接待的原來是一位上帝的使者。這個故事就成為聖誕樹的來源。在西方，不論是否基督徒，過聖誕節時都要准備一棵聖誕樹，以增加節日的歡樂氣氛。
聖誕樹一般是用杉柏之類的常綠樹做成，象徵生命長存。樹上裝飾著各種燈燭、彩花、玩具、星星，掛上各種聖誕禮物。聖誕之夜，人們圍著聖誕樹唱歌跳舞，盡情歡樂。
聖誕習俗：
1、聖誕襪
聖誕襪是一雙紅色的大襪子，多大都可以。由於它是用來裝禮物的，因而是小朋友們的最愛。晚上，小朋友們會將聖誕襪掛在床邊，等待第二天早上收禮的驚喜。要是有人在聖誕節送小汽車怎麼辦？那最好叫他寫張支票放進襪子里好了。
2、聖誕卡
聖誕卡是祝賀聖誕及新年的賀卡，上面印著關於耶穌降生故事的圖畫，以及慶賀聖誕、新年的話語。
3、報佳音
聖誕夜（12月24日晚至25日晨），教會組織一些唱詩班（或由信徒自發地組成）挨家挨戶地在別人的門口或窗下大唱聖誕頌歌，這叫做「報佳音」。這項活動往往要進行到天亮，人數越來越多，歌聲越來越大，傳遍大街小巷。
4、聖誕頌歌
聖誕節時唱的贊美詩稱為「聖誕頌歌」。聖誕頌歌很多，曲譜多取自著名音樂家的名作，經常唱的有《平安夜》、《彌賽亞》（又名《救世主》）等音樂作品。
『伍』 聖誕節的英語介紹
聖誕節的英語介紹：
Christmas, also known as Christmas, is translated as "Christ Mass", which originated from the Lunar New Year celebration in ancient Rome and has nothing to do with Christianity. After the popularity of Christianity in the Roman Empire, the Holy See drifted this folk festival into the Christian system to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
But it is not Jesus'birthday on Christmas Day, because the Bible does not record when Jesus was born, nor does it mention such a festival, which is the result of the absorption of ancient Roman mythology by Christianity.
聖誕節的漢語介紹：
聖誕節又稱耶誕節，譯名為「基督彌撒」，它源自古羅馬人迎接新年的農神節，與基督教本無關系。在基督教盛行羅馬帝國後，教廷隨波逐流地將這種民俗節日納入基督教體系，同時以慶祝耶穌的降生。
但在聖誕節這天不是耶穌的生辰，因為《聖經》未有記載耶穌具體生於哪天，同樣沒提到過有此種節日，是基督教吸收了古羅馬神話的結果。
(5)聖誕節怎麼來的英語介紹擴展閱讀：
聖誕節常見食物：
一、火雞
一般英國家庭都喜愛自行烹調火雞，將大量的蔬果如甘筍、西芹、洋蔥、栗子等，塞進十來磅的火雞肚子里，再在表層抹上多種香料，然後才放入焗爐烤。
二、樹干蛋糕
樹干似的蛋糕是著名的法國聖誕美食。還未發明電力以前，法國人以一棵好柴作為聖誕禮物。法國人天性浪漫，連美食的起緣也浪漫過人：從前有一個買不起聖誕禮物的年青人，在森林撿了一段木頭送給情人，不但贏得芳心，而且從此平步青雲。因此，樹干蛋糕也成為祝願來年好運的象徵。
三、沙灘宴
當居於北半球的人們在寒風呼嘯中歡度聖誕節時，位於南半球的澳大利亞卻正是仲夏時節。澳大利亞熱情如火的「仲夏聖誕節」既有熱帶風情的慶祝方式，也融合了歐洲傳統聖誕節的經典元素，盡管戶外人們頂著火辣辣的太陽，但商店櫥窗里卻精心布置了冬日雪景：掛滿雪花的聖誕樹和穿紅棉襖的聖誕老人。
參考資料來源：網路—聖誕節
『陸』 聖誕節的由來簡介（英文+中文）
聖誕節的由來：據說耶穌是因著聖靈成孕，由聖母瑪利亞所生的。神更派遣使者加伯列在夢中曉諭約瑟，叫他不要因為馬利亞未婚懷孕而不要她，反而要與她成親，把那孩子起名為「耶穌」，意思是要他把百姓從罪惡中救出來。
當馬利亞快要臨盆的時候，羅馬政府下了命令，全部人民到伯利恆務必申報戶籍。約瑟和馬利亞只好遵命。他們到達伯利恆時，天色已昏，無奈兩人未能找到旅館渡宿，只有一個馬棚可以暫住。就在這時，耶穌要出生了。於是馬利亞唯有在馬槽上，生下耶穌。後人為紀念耶穌的誕生，便定十二月二十五為聖誕節，年年望彌撒，紀念耶穌的出世。
Origin of Christmas: It is said that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born by the Virgin Mary. God also sent the messenger Gabriel to tell Joseph in his dream that he should not be pregnant because Mary was unmarried and did not want her. Instead, he wanted to marry her and named the child "Jesus," which means that he should save the people from sin. come.
When Mary was about to give birth, the Roman government gave an order that all the people must go to Bethlehem to declare their household registration.
Joseph and Mary had no choice but to obey. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the sky was faint and the two could not find a hotel to stay in. Only a stable could temporarily stay. Just then, Jesus was about to be born. Yushimaliya only gave birth to Jesus on the manger. Later, when Jinianyesu was born, December 25 was set as Christmas, and Jinianyesu was born.
『柒』 聖誕節的英文介紹
The legend of Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus. Before the birth of Jesus, the Virgin Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. God sent messengers to tell Joseph in his dream that he would marry Mary and name their children Jesus. Jesus meant to save the people from their sins.
When Maria was about to give birth, the government issued a decree that all people in Bethlehem had to declare their residence registration, but it was already sk when Joseph and Maria arrived. Because the hotels were full and could not accommodate them, they lived in a barn.
Soon after, Maria gave birth to Jesus in a humble manger. In memory of Jesus, later generations designated December 25 as Christmas.
聖誕節傳說是為了紀念耶穌出生。在耶穌出生之前，聖母瑪麗亞受聖靈懷孕，神靈派遣使者在夢中告訴約瑟，讓他與瑪麗亞成婚，並給他們的孩子取名為「耶穌」，耶穌的含義是將百姓從罪惡中拯救出來。
在瑪麗亞即將生產的時候，政府頒布法令，所有在伯利恆的人必須申報戶籍，但是約瑟和瑪麗亞到達的時候已經是黃昏，因旅館都已經住滿，無法容納他們兩人，他們便住在馬棚中。
不久，瑪麗亞在簡陋的馬槽生下了耶穌。後人為了紀念耶穌，便把12月25日，定為聖誕節。
『捌』 聖誕節的由來介紹（英文+中文）
聖誕節的由來英文
Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity. It is traditionally celebrated on December 25 by most Western Christian churches. Although dating to probably as early as a.d. 200, the feast of Christmas did not become widespread until the Middle Ages.
Aspects of celebration may include gift-giving, Christmas trees, display of Nativity sets, church attendance, the Father Christmas/Santa Claus myth, and family gatherings. The word Christmas is derived from Middle English Christemasse.
It is a contrACTion meaning "Christ's mass". The name of the holiday is often shortened to Xmas because Roman letter "X" resembles theGREek letter X, an abbreviation for Christ.
聖誕節的由來譯文
聖誕節是慶祝天主教中心人物耶穌誕生的節日，通常西方天主教堂在12月25日慶祝。聖誕節最早可追溯到公元200年，但直到中世紀才開始廣泛流傳。聖誕節慶祝活動包括贈送禮物、聖誕樹、擺耶穌系列雕像、參加教堂活動、聖誕老人傳說、家庭聚會等。
Christmas一詞來源於中世紀英語Christemasse，大概的意思是耶穌的彌撒。有時候聖誕節被寫成Xmas，因為羅馬字母X和希臘文Chirst的縮寫X很相似。
聖誕節(Christmas)，譯名為「基督彌撒」。每年12月25日，是基督徒慶祝耶穌基督誕生的慶祝日，這一天基督教會都舉行禮拜。
『玖』 急需關於聖誕節來源的英文介紹
Christmas or Christmas Day is a winter holiday, most commonly celebrated on December 25, with many religious and secular aspects including the birth of Jesus, exchanging gifts, the Santa Claus myth, and various other winter celebrations. Some Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate on December 25 by the Julian calendar, which currently corresponds to January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. These dates are merely traditional; the precise chronology of Jesus' birth and death, as well as the historicity of Jesus, are still debated.
The popularity of Christmas can be traced in part to its status as a winter festival. Many cultures have historically celebrated their most important holiday in winter because there is less agricultural work to do at this time. Examples of winter festivals that have influenced Christmas include the pre-Christian festivals of Yule [1] and Saturnalia. Many of the traditions associated with the holiday have origins in these pagan winter celebrations.
However, various local and regional Christmas traditions are still practiced, despite the widespread influence of American and British Christmas motifs disseminated by film, popular literature, television, and other media.
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 History
2.1 Origin of holiday
2.2 Medieval Christmas and related winter festivals
2.3 The Reformation and modern times
3 The Nativity
4 Other dates of celebration
5 Santa Claus and other bringers of gifts
6 Regional customs and celebrations
6.1 Timing of gifts
6.2 Declaration of Christmas Peace
6.3 Decorations
6.4 Social aspects and entertainment
6.5 Christmas carol media
7 Christmas in the arts and media
8 Economics of Christmas
9 See also
10 References
11 External Links
[edit] Etymology
The word Christmas is derived from Middle English Christemasse and from Old English Cristes mæsse.[1] It is a contraction meaning "Christ's mass".
The name of the holiday is sometimes shortened to Xmas because Roman letter "X" resembles the Greek letter Χ (chi), an abbreviation for Christ (Χριστός).
[edit] History
[edit] Origin of holiday
December 25 is the date on which the Romans originally celebrated the winter solstice.
Although the actual date of Jesus' birth is unknown, Christians have favored December 25 since ancient times. However, ring the early and middle Middle Ages, Christmas was either a minor feast, or not celebrated at all.
Around 220 AD, the theologian Tertullian declared that Jesus died on March 25, 29, but was resurrected three days later. Although this is not a plausible date for the crucifixion, it does suggest that March 25 had significance for the church even before it was used as a basis to calculate Christmas. Modern scholars favor a crucifixion date of April 3, 33, which was also the date of a partial lunar eclipse (These are Julian calendar dates. Subtract two days for a Gregorian date.).[2]
By 240 AD, a list of significant events was being assigned to March 25, partly because it was believed to be the date of the vernal equinox. These events include creation, the fall of Adam, and, most relevantly, the Incarnation.[3] The view that the Incarnation occurred on the same date as crucifixion is consistent with a Jewish belief that prophets died at an "integral age," either an anniversary of their birth or of their conception.[4][5]
Aside from being nine months later than Annunciation, December 25 is also the date the Romans marked the winter solstice, which they referred to as bruma. For this reason, some have suggested the opposite of the theory outlined above, i.e. that the date of Christmas was chosen to be the same as that of the solstice and that the date of Annunciation was calculated on this basis. (The Julian calendar was originally only one day off, with the solstice falling on December 24 in 45 BC. Due to calendar slippage, the date of the astronomical solstice has moved back so that it now falls on either December 21 or December 22.)
The idea that December 25 is Jesus' birthday was popularized by Sextus Julius Africanus in Chronographiai (221 AD), an early reference book for Christians. This identification did not at first inspire feasting or celebration. In 245 AD, the theologian Origen denounced the idea of celebrating the birthday of Jesus "as if he were a king pharaoh." Only sinners, not saints, celebrate their birthdays, Origen contended.
In 274 AD, Emperor Aurelian designated December 25 as the festival of Sol Invictus (the "unconquered sun"). Aurelian may have chosen this date because the solstice was considered the birthday of Mithras, a syncretic god of Persian origin. Mithras is often identified with Sol Invictus, although Sol was originally a separate Syrian god.
Mural painting of Jesus from the catacombs of Rome, late 4th century.Mithras was a god of light and a child of the earth who sprang up next to a sacred stream. He was born bearing a torch and armed with a knife. Sundays were dedicated to Mithras and caves were often used for his worship. A series of emperors promoted Mithraism beginning with Commos. The cult emphasized loyalty to the emperor and Roman soldiers were expected to participate. Mithraism collapsed rapidly after Constantine I withdrew imperial favor (312 AD), despite being at the peak of its popularity only a few years earlier.
As Constantine ended persecution, Christians began to debate the nature of Christ. The Alexandrian school argued that he was the divine word made flesh (see John 1:14), while the Antioch school held that he was born human and infused with the Holy Spirit at the time of his baptism (see Mark 1:9-11). A feast celebrating Christ's birth gave the church an opportunity to promote the intermediate view that Christ was divine from the time of his incarnation.[6] Mary, a minor figure for early Christians, gained prominence as the theotokos, or god-bearer. There were Christmas celebrations in Rome as early as 336 AD. December 25 was added to the calendar as a feast day in 350 AD.[6]
[edit] Medieval Christmas and related winter festivals
Christmas soon outgrew the Christological controversy that created it and came to dominate the medieval calendar. The forty days before Christmas became the "forty days of St. Martin," now Advent. The fortieth day after Christmas was Candlemas. The Egyptian Christmas celebration on January 6 was adopted as Epiphany, one of the most prominent holidays of the year ring Early Middle Ages. Christmas Day itself was a relatively minor holiday, although its prominence graally increased after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day, 800.
The popularity of Christmas can be better understood if it is viewed as a form of winter celebration. Agricultural societies typically hold their most important festival in winter, since there is less need of farm work at this time.
The Romans had a winter celebration known as Saturnalia. This festival was originally held on December 17 and honored Saturn, a god of agriculture. It recalled the "golden age" when Saturn ruled. In imperial times, Saturnalia was extended to seven days (December 17-December 23). Combined with festivals both before and after, the result was an extended winter holiday season. Business was postponed and even slaves feasted. There was drinking, gambling and singing naked. It was the "best of days," according to the poet Catullus.[7] With the coming of Christianity, Italy's Saturnalian traditions were attached to Advent (the forty days before Christmas). Around the 12th century, these traditions transferred again to the "twelve days of Christmas" (i.e. Christmas to Epiphany).[6]
Northern Europe was the last part to Christianize, and its pagan celebrations had a major influence on Christmas. Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul (Yule), originally the name of a twelve-day pre-Christian winter festival. Logs were lit to honor Thor, the god of thunder, hence the "Yule log." In Germany, the equivalent holiday is called Mitwinternacht (mid-winter night). There are also twelve Rauhnächte (harsh or wild nights).[8]
By the High Middle Ages, Christmas had become so prominent that chroniclers routinely note where various magnates "celebrated Christmas." King Richard II of England hosted a Christmas feast in 1377 at which twenty-eight oxen and three hundred sheep were eaten.[6] The "Yule boar" was a common feature of medieval Christmas feasts. Aside from feasting, there was also caroling. This was originally a group of dancers who sang. There was a lead singer and a ring of dancers that provided the chorus. Various writers of the time condemn caroling as lewd, the dancing may have got out of hand now and then (harking back to the traditions of Saturnalia and Yule).[6] "Misrule" — drunkenness, promiscuity, gambling — was an important aspect of the festival. In England, gifts were exchanged on New Year's Day, and there was special Christmas ale.[6]
[edit] The Reformation and modern times
Santa Claus hands out gifts to Union soldiers ring the US Civil War in Thomas Nast's first Santa Claus cartoon, Harper's Weekly, 1863.During the Reformation, Protestants condemned Christmas celebration as "trappings of popery" and the "rags of the Beast". The Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in a more religiously oriented form. When a Puritan parliament triumphed over the King, Charles I of England (1644), Christmas was officially banned (1647). Pro-Christmas rioting broke out in several cities. For several weeks, Canterbury was controlled by the rioters, who decorated doorways with holly and shouted royalist slogans.[9] The Restoration (1660) ended the ban, but Christmas celebration was still disapproved of by the Anglican clergy (and, therefore, more thoroughly enjoyed by Catholics and Dissenters).
By the 1820s, sectarian tension had eased and British writers began to worry that Christmas was dying out. They imagined Tudor Christmas as a time of heartfelt celebration, and efforts were made to revive the holiday. The book A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens played a major role in reinventing Christmas as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion (as opposed to communal celebration and hedonistic excess).[10]
The phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835 and represents the importation of a tradition from Germany, where such trees became popular in the late 18th century.[11] Queen Victoria and her German-born husband Prince Albert enthusiastically promoted Christmas trees, as well as the idea of placing gifts under them. The royal family's tree of 1848 was widely publicized and imitated. Christmas cards were first designed in 1843 and became popular in the 1860s.[11] The commercial calendar, created to answer children's questions concerning when Christmas would come, dates from 1851.
Father Christmas persuades the jury of his innocence in The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas (1686) by Josiah KingThe Puritans of New England disapproved of Christmas and celebration was outlawed in Boston (1659-81). Meanwhile, Virginia and New York celebrated freely. Christmas fell out of favor in the U.S. after the American Revolution, when it was considered an "English custom". Interest was revived by several short stories by Washington Irving in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1819) and by "Old Christmas" (1850) which depict harmonous warm-hearted holiday traditions Irving claimed to have observed in England. Although some argue that Irving invented the traditions he describes, they were imitated by his American readers.[2] German immigrants and the homecomings of the Civil War helped promote the holiday. Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the U.S. in 1870.
Dutch settlers in New York brought this tradition with them. Irving writes of Saint Nicholas "riding over the tops of the trees, in that selfsame waggon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children."[12] The connection between Santa Claus and Christmas was popularized by the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (1822) by Clement Clarke Moore, which depicts Santa driving a sleigh pulled by reindeer and distributing gifts to children. His image was created by German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902), who drew a new image annually beginning in 1863. By the 1880s, Nast's Santa had evolved into the form we now recognize. The image was standardized by advertisers in the 1920s.[13]
In the midst of World War I, there was a Christmas truce between German and British troops in France (1914). Soldiers on both sides spontaneously began to sing Christmas carols and stopped fighting. The truce began on Christmas Day and continued for some time afterward. There was even a soccer game between the trench lines in which Germany's 133rd Royal Saxon Regiment is said to have bested Britain's Seaforth Highlanders 3-2.
Some Muslims celebrate Christmas because Islam regards Jesus as a prophet, messenger and one of the top five human servants of God (Allah).
[edit] The Nativity
Main article: Nativity of Jesus
The scriptural accounts of the nativity are recited each year, but often not without imposing tradition upon them. Many nativity scenes feature three wise men. From the scriptures there were neither three wise men, nor were they at the scene of Christ』s birth. The nativity narratives that are recorded in the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew focus on quite different aspects of the event.
Adorazione del Bambino (Adoration of the Child) (1439-43), a mural by Florentine painter Fra Angelico.In Luke, Mary learns from an angel that the Holy Spirit has caused her to be with child. Mary points out that she is a virgin and the angel responds that "with God nothing shall be impossible." Shortly thereafter, she and her husband Joseph leave their home in Nazareth to travel about 150 kilometres (90 miles) to Joseph's ancestral home, Bethlehem, in order to register for a census ordered by Emperor Augustus. Finding no room at the inns, they lodge in a stable. There Mary gives birth to Jesus. An angel of the lord goes to the fields and tells the shepherds the "tidings of joy." A heavenly host proclaims, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." The shepherds come to the manger to adore the infant Jesus (Luke 1:5-2:20).
In Matthew, magi arrive at the court of King Herod in Jerusalem and ask, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? We have observed the rising of his star, and we have come to pay him homage." (Compare to Numbers 24:17.) The word magi is traditionally translated as "wise men." The word connects them to the magi of Babylon who select Daniel their chief in the Book of Daniel. Daniel's magi interpret dreams and other portents. The book was well-known in ancient times for its prophecy concerning the messiah[14] (Daniel 9:24-27), a man who will be sent by God to lead the Jewish people.
Neither the names of the magi nor their number are specified in the Bible. Nevertheless, tradition imposes there were three. Some scholars contend there must needs have been a large caravan of many. A tradition with no basis in the biblical narrative gives names to three: Balthassar, Melchior, and Caspar. Balthassar is a Greek version of the Babylonian name Belshazzar. This is the name of a king in Daniel. Melchior means "The king is my light" in Aramaic. Caspar is a Latinized version of Gondophares, a Parthian (i.e. Persian) name. The magi are sometimes called kings because of prophecies that kings will do homage to the messiah (Isaiah 60:3, Psalms 72:11). Oftentimes three magi are portrayed in nativity scenes, but the biblical account describes their arriving in Jerusalem about two years after the birth of Christ, inquiring of Harod, and then travelling to Bethlehem.
Herod is disturbed by the magi's words and questions them closely, attempting to determine when the star first appeared and when the child was born. The king asks his advisors where the messiah will be born. They answer Bethlehem, birthplace of King David, and quote Micah 5:2-4. "When you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage," a deceitful Herod tells the magi.
As they travel to Bethlehem, the magi follow the Star of Bethlehem, which leads them to a house where they find Jesus. Jesus is no longer in the manger described by Luke. He is a child (paidion), not an infant (brephos). The magi present Jesus with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (If these gifts were chosen in view of Isaiah 60:1-7, it may explain the magi's earlier trip to Jerusalem.)[15] In a dream, the magi received a divine warning of Herod's intent to kill the child, who he sees as a rival. Consequently, they return to their own country without telling Herod the result of their mission. An angel tells Joseph to flee with his family to Egypt. Meanwhile, Herod orders that all male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2 be killed. After Herod's death, the family settles in Nazareth (Matthew 2:1-23).
[edit] Other dates of celebration
Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas present, by John Leech. Made for Charles Dickens's novel A Christmas Carol (1843).Although Christmas may be celebrated on December 25-December 31 in historically Catholic and Protestant nations, in eastern Europe it is often celebrated on January 7. This is because the Eastern Orthodox Church continues to use the Julian calendar for determining feast days, and the Julian calendar is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar followed by most countries today.[16]
The Orthodox churches fast ring the forty days before Christmas. Christmas is bbed the "Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ." Armenian Christians celebrate Christmas on January 6.[17]
Dates for the secular aspects of the Christmas celebration also vary. In the United Kingdom, the Christmas season traditionally runs for twelve days beginning on Christmas Day. These twelve days of Christmas, a period of feasting and merrymaking, end on Twelfth Night, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany. In medieval times, Swedish law provided for a Christmas peace (julefrid) of twenty days ring which fines for robbery and manslaughter were doubled. On Knut's Day, the twentieth day after Christmas (January 13), Swedish children celebrate and throw out the family Christmas tree (julgransplundring).
The Christmas festive period has grown longer in some countries. In the U.S., the pre-Christmas shopping season begins on the day after Thanksgiving. In the Philippines, radio stations usually start playing Christmas music ring what is called the "-ber months" (September, October, etc.).
Countries that celebrate Christmas on December 25 recognize the previous day as Christmas Eve and have various names for the day after Christmas. In the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, Lithuania and Poland, Christmas Day and the following day are called First and Second Christmas Day. In many European and Commonwealth countries, the first non-Sunday after Christmas is referred to as Boxing Day. In Finland, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Austria, and Catalonia (Spain), the day is known as St. Stephen's Day. In Quebec, the December 26 holiday is referred to as Lendemain de Noël ("the day after Christmas").
[edit] Santa Claus and other bringers of gifts
Main article: Santa Claus
Saint NicholasIn Western culture, the holiday is characterized by the exchange of gifts among friends and family members, some of the gifts being attributed to Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Basil and Father Frost).
Father Christmas predates the Santa Claus character, and was first recorded in the 15th century,[11] but was associated with holiday merrymaking and drunkenness. Santa Claus is a variation of a Dutch folk tale based
『拾』 聖誕節英文簡介
聖誕節英文簡介：
Christmas is also known as Christmas, translated as "Christ mass", it originated from the ancient Romans to welcome the New Year saturnalia, with no connection with Christianity.
After Christianity prevailed in the Roman empire, the holy see went along with the trend of incorporating this folk festival into the Christian system to celebrate the birth of Jesus.But Christmas day is not the birthday of Jesus, because the bible does not record when Jesus was born, nor does it mention such a holiday, is the result of Christianity's absorption of ancient Roman mythology.
Most of the Catholic church will first in December 24 Christmas Eve, that is, December 25 at midnight mass, and some Christian church will be held good news, and then in December 25 to celebrate Christmas;Another branch of Christianity, the orthodox church, celebrates Christmas on January 7.
聖誕節中文簡介：
聖誕節又稱耶誕節，譯名為「基督彌撒」，它源自古羅馬人迎接新年的農神節，與基督教本無關系。在基督教盛行羅馬帝國後，教廷隨波逐流地將這種民俗節日納入基督教體系，同時以慶祝耶穌的降生。但在聖誕節這天不是耶穌的生辰，因為《聖經》未有記載耶穌具體生於哪天，同樣沒提到過有此種節日，是基督教吸收了古羅馬神話的結果。
大部分的天主教教堂都會先在12月24日的平安夜，亦即12月25日凌晨舉行子夜彌撒，而一些基督教會則會舉行報佳音，然後在12月25日慶祝聖誕節；基督教的另一大分支——東正教的聖誕節慶則在每年的1月7日。