圣诞节怎么来的英语介绍
『壹』 圣诞节的来历(英文版)
Christmas, also known as Christmas, is translated as "Christ Mass", a traditional western festival, which falls on December 25 each year.
圣诞节（Christmas）又称耶诞节，译名为“基督弥撒”，西方传统节日，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".
弥撒是教会的一种礼拜仪式。圣诞节是一个宗教节，因为把它当作耶稣的诞辰来庆祝，故名“耶诞节”。
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会先在24日的平安夜，亦即12月25日凌晨举行子夜弥撒，而一些基督教会则会举行报佳音，然后在12月25日庆祝圣诞节；基督教的另一大分支——东正教的圣诞节庆则在每年的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.
圣诞节也是西方世界以及其他很多地区的公共假日，例如：在亚洲的香港、澳门、马来西亚和新加坡。圣经实际上并无记载耶稣诞生日期，圣诞节是后人公定的。
『贰』 圣诞节的由来 英文版（带翻译）
每年的12月25日，是基督教徒纪念耶稣诞生的日子，称为圣诞节。
从12月24日于翌年1月6日为圣诞节节期。节日期间，各国基督教徒都举行隆重的纪念仪式。圣诞节本来是基督教徒的节日，由于人们格外重视，它便成为一个全民性的节日，国家一年中最盛大的节日，可以和新年相提并论，类 是西方似我国过春节。
西方人以红、绿、白三色为圣诞色，圣诞节来临时家家户户都要用圣诞色来装饰。红色的有圣诞花和圣诞蜡烛。绿色的是圣诞树。它是圣诞节的主要装饰品，用砍伐来的杉、柏一类呈塔形的常青树装饰而成。上面悬挂着五颜六色的彩灯、礼物和纸花，还点燃着圣诞蜡烛。
红色与白色相映成趣的是圣诞老人，他是圣诞节活动中最受欢迎的人物。西方儿童在圣诞夜临睡之前，要在壁炉前或枕头旁放上一只袜子，等候圣诞老人在他们入睡后把礼物放在袜子内。在西方，扮演圣诞老人也是一种习俗。
“圣诞节”这个名称是“基督弥撒”的缩字。弥撒是教会的一种礼拜仪式。耶诞节是一个宗教节。我们把它当作耶苏的诞辰来庆祝，因而又名耶诞节。这一天，全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。
耶稣的出生是有一段故事的，耶稣是因着圣灵成孕，由童女马利亚所生的。神更派遣使者加伯列在梦中晓谕约瑟，叫他不要因为马利亚未婚怀孕而不要她，反而要与她成亲，把那孩子起名为“耶稣”，意思是要他把百姓从罪恶中救出来。
当马利亚快要临盘的时候，罗马政府下了命令，全部人民到伯利恒务必申报户籍。约瑟和马利亚只好遵命。
他们到达伯利恒时，天色已昏，无奈两人未能找到旅馆渡宿，只有一个马棚可以暂住。就在这时，耶稣要出生了！於是马利亚唯有在马槽上，生下耶稣。后人为纪念耶稣的诞生，便定十二月二十五为圣诞节，年年望弥撒，纪念耶稣的出世。
圣诞节便是於十二月二十五日纪念耶稣的诞生，但真实的诞生日就没有人知道了。十九世纪，圣诞卡的流行、圣诞老人的出现，圣诞节亦开始流行起来。
圣诞老公公的由来
圣诞节是令人雀跃期待的日子，尤其是小孩子。相信大家对圣诞老公公的事都耳熟能详吧？从前有一个老人，名叫尼古拉斯，他一生最爱帮助贫穷的人家。其中有一次他帮助三个贫穷的少后送他们三袋金子以逃过被卖的不幸。当尼古拉斯偷偷把其中一袋金子送给其中一名女子时，他把金子从其中一个窗户扔进去，恰好掉进景在壁上的一长袜中。于是，将礼物放在圣诞袜子的送礼方法家挨户地去要糖果哟！
据说平安夜的晚上，圣诞节老公公会驾着驯鹿雪橇满载着礼物准备送点这一年来表现很好的小朋友，他会悄悄地从烟囱爬进屋内，礼物塞在挂在床头的袜子里。所以孩子总会把一条条色彩缤纷的袜子挂在床头，并在袜子旁边放杯热牛奶给劳苦功高的圣诞老人解渴，并送份大礼给自己。
隔天一每个小朋友都迫不及待地打开礼，想知道自己得到什么奖励。
到了1822年，一位荷兰传教士把这位伟大慈善家的故事传到美国之后，美国商人更以特殊的行销手法，每年利用这个节日大张旗鼓地宣传广告，大赚一笔，在亚洲的日本及其它各国也群起效尤。因此装扮圣诞老人来庆祝圣诞节的风俗习惯也就渐渐地流行到世界各国了。
圣诞树的由来
1.据说大约在十六世纪，德国人最先把长青的松柏枝拿到屋中去摆设，后来，德国传教士马丁路德把烛放在树林中的枞树枝上，然后点燃，使它看起来像是引导人们到伯利恒的星光，如同二千年前的东方三博士依照天上的星星找到耶稣一般。今日，人们已经改用小灯泡代替蜡烛。
2.传说在很久以前，有一位农人，在圣诞节那天遇到一位穷苦的小孩，他热情地接待了孩子，这个小孩临走时折下根松枝插在地上，松枝立即变成一棵树，上面挂满了礼物，用来答谢农人的好意。
然而圣诞树真正出现在圣诞节，首先见于德国，之后又传入欧洲和美国，成为圣诞节不可或缺的装饰物。他们通常用五光十色的彩灯、蜡、礼物或天使来装圣诞树，尤其住在美国西北部的人们，因为当地丰富的森林资源，他们会全家人一起去挑选一棵真正的树做为圣诞树。圣诞树的种类繁多，有天然松柏圣诞树、也有人造圣诞树及白色圣诞树。每棵圣诞树上都挂满琳琅满目的装饰品，但每棵树的顶端必定有一棵特大的星星，像征着那颗引导东方三博士找到耶稣的星星。而且在传统习俗上，只有家庭的一家之主才可以把这颗希望之星挂上，旁人是不可以越俎代庖的。
平安夜的由来
圣诞节前夕也就是俗说的平安夜，当晚，全家人会团聚在客厅中，围绕在圣诞树旁唱圣诞歌曲，互相交换礼物，彼此分享一年来生活中的喜怒哀乐，表达内心的祝福及爱。在这天晚上都会看到一群可爱的小男生或小女生，手拿诗歌弹着吉他，一家一家的唱着诗歌报佳音。到底佳音队这种节日活动是怎么来的呢？
耶稣诞生的那一晚，一在旷野看守羊群的牧羊人，突然听见有声音自天上传来，向他们报耶稣降生的好消息。根据圣经记载，耶稣来是要作世人的王，因此天使便透过这些牧羊人把消息传给更多的人知道。
后来人们就效仿天使，在平安夜的晚上到处报人传讲耶稣降生的消息，直到今日，报佳音已经变成圣诞节不可缺少的一个节目。
通常佳音队是由大约二十名青年人，加上一备装扮成天使的小女孩和一位圣诞老人组成。在平安夜晚上大约是九点过后，开始一家一家的去报佳音。每当佳音队去到一个家庭时，先会唱几首大家都熟悉的圣诞歌曲，然后再由小女孩念出圣经的话语让该户人家知道今夜是耶稣降生的日子，过后大家一起祷告再唱一两首诗歌，再由慷慨大方的圣诞老人派送圣诞礼物给那个家庭中的小厅子，整个报佳音的过程就完成了！
译文如下：
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!
『叁』 圣诞节英语介绍
圣诞节英文介绍：
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.
圣诞节中文介绍：
圣诞节又称耶诞节，译名为“基督弥撒”，它源自古罗马人迎接新年的农神节，与基督教本无关系。在基督教盛行罗马帝国后，教廷随波逐流地将这种民俗节日纳入基督教体系，同时以庆祝耶稣的降生。
但在圣诞节这天不是耶稣的生辰，因为《圣经》未有记载耶稣具体生于哪天，同样没提到过有此种节日，是基督教吸收了古罗马神话的结果。
(3)圣诞节怎么来的英语介绍扩展阅读：
圣诞节常见食品：
一、树干蛋糕
树干似的蛋糕（Buchedenoel）是著名的法国圣诞美食。
还未发明电力以前，法国人以一棵好柴作为圣诞礼物。法国人天性浪漫，连美食的起缘也浪漫过人：从前有一个买不起圣诞礼物的年青人，在森林捡了一段木头送给情人，不但赢得芳心，而且从此平步青云。因此，树干蛋糕也成为祝愿来年好运的象征。
二、杏仁布丁
当圣诞晚餐开始时，必须先吃一份杏仁布丁，然后才能开始吃别的东西。如果谁能吃到那枚唯一完整的杏仁，谁将是来年运气最好的一个人，通常大人们会将这枚杏仁放在最小的孩子的碗里让他们高兴。
三、姜饼
德国最著名的圣诞食品是姜饼（Lebkuchen），是一种介乎于蛋糕与饼干之间的小点。传统的姜饼，以蜂蜜、胡椒粒为材料，又甜又辣，口感刺激。姜饼经过改良，外面洒上一层糖霜，不但口感丰富，外型也相当讨好。
四、沙滩宴
当居于北半球的人们在寒风呼啸中欢度圣诞节时，位于南半球的澳大利亚却正是仲夏时节。澳大利亚热情如火的“仲夏圣诞节”既有热带风情的庆祝方式，也融合了欧洲传统圣诞节的经典元素，尽管户外人们顶着火辣辣的太阳，但商店橱窗里却精心布置了冬日雪景：挂满雪花的圣诞树和穿红棉袄的圣诞老人。
参考资料来源：网络—圣诞节
『肆』 圣诞节的由来（英文）
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Aftertheboyleft，．．．Inwesterncountries，Whateveryouare，．lives．
Peopleputcandles，flowers，toys，．OnChrismasEve，．
译文：
据说有一位农民在一个风雪交加的圣诞夜里接待了一个饥寒交迫的小孩，让他吃了一顿丰盛的圣诞晚餐，这个孩子告别时折了一根杉树枝插在地上并祝福说：“年年此日，礼物满枝，留此美丽的杉村，报答你的好意。”
小孩走后，农民发现那树枝竟变成了一棵小树，他才明白自己接待的原来是一位上帝的使者。这个故事就成为圣诞树的来源。在西方，不论是否基督徒，过圣诞节时都要准备一棵圣诞树，以增加节日的欢乐气氛。
圣诞树一般是用杉柏之类的常绿树做成，象征生命长存。树上装饰着各种灯烛、彩花、玩具、星星，挂上各种圣诞礼物。圣诞之夜，人们围着圣诞树唱歌跳舞，尽情欢乐。
圣诞习俗：
1、圣诞袜
圣诞袜是一双红色的大袜子，多大都可以。由于它是用来装礼物的，因而是小朋友们的最爱。晚上，小朋友们会将圣诞袜挂在床边，等待第二天早上收礼的惊喜。要是有人在圣诞节送小汽车怎么办？那最好叫他写张支票放进袜子里好了。
2、圣诞卡
圣诞卡是祝贺圣诞及新年的贺卡，上面印着关于耶稣降生故事的图画，以及庆贺圣诞、新年的话语。
3、报佳音
圣诞夜（12月24日晚至25日晨），教会组织一些唱诗班（或由信徒自发地组成）挨家挨户地在别人的门口或窗下大唱圣诞颂歌，这叫做“报佳音”。这项活动往往要进行到天亮，人数越来越多，歌声越来越大，传遍大街小巷。
4、圣诞颂歌
圣诞节时唱的赞美诗称为“圣诞颂歌”。圣诞颂歌很多，曲谱多取自著名音乐家的名作，经常唱的有《平安夜》、《弥赛亚》（又名《救世主》）等音乐作品。
『伍』 圣诞节的英语介绍
圣诞节的英语介绍：
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.
圣诞节的汉语介绍：
圣诞节又称耶诞节，译名为“基督弥撒”，它源自古罗马人迎接新年的农神节，与基督教本无关系。在基督教盛行罗马帝国后，教廷随波逐流地将这种民俗节日纳入基督教体系，同时以庆祝耶稣的降生。
但在圣诞节这天不是耶稣的生辰，因为《圣经》未有记载耶稣具体生于哪天，同样没提到过有此种节日，是基督教吸收了古罗马神话的结果。
(5)圣诞节怎么来的英语介绍扩展阅读：
圣诞节常见食物：
一、火鸡
一般英国家庭都喜爱自行烹调火鸡，将大量的蔬果如甘笋、西芹、洋葱、栗子等，塞进十来磅的火鸡肚子里，再在表层抹上多种香料，然后才放入焗炉烤。
二、树干蛋糕
树干似的蛋糕是著名的法国圣诞美食。还未发明电力以前，法国人以一棵好柴作为圣诞礼物。法国人天性浪漫，连美食的起缘也浪漫过人：从前有一个买不起圣诞礼物的年青人，在森林捡了一段木头送给情人，不但赢得芳心，而且从此平步青云。因此，树干蛋糕也成为祝愿来年好运的象征。
三、沙滩宴
当居于北半球的人们在寒风呼啸中欢度圣诞节时，位于南半球的澳大利亚却正是仲夏时节。澳大利亚热情如火的“仲夏圣诞节”既有热带风情的庆祝方式，也融合了欧洲传统圣诞节的经典元素，尽管户外人们顶着火辣辣的太阳，但商店橱窗里却精心布置了冬日雪景：挂满雪花的圣诞树和穿红棉袄的圣诞老人。
参考资料来源：网络—圣诞节
『陆』 圣诞节的由来简介（英文+中文）
圣诞节的由来：据说耶稣是因着圣灵成孕，由圣母玛利亚所生的。神更派遣使者加伯列在梦中晓谕约瑟，叫他不要因为马利亚未婚怀孕而不要她，反而要与她成亲，把那孩子起名为“耶稣”，意思是要他把百姓从罪恶中救出来。
当马利亚快要临盆的时候，罗马政府下了命令，全部人民到伯利恒务必申报户籍。约瑟和马利亚只好遵命。他们到达伯利恒时，天色已昏，无奈两人未能找到旅馆渡宿，只有一个马棚可以暂住。就在这时，耶稣要出生了。于是马利亚唯有在马槽上，生下耶稣。后人为纪念耶稣的诞生，便定十二月二十五为圣诞节，年年望弥撒，纪念耶稣的出世。
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』 圣诞节的英文介绍
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.
圣诞节传说是为了纪念耶稣出生。在耶稣出生之前，圣母玛丽亚受圣灵怀孕，神灵派遣使者在梦中告诉约瑟，让他与玛丽亚成婚，并给他们的孩子取名为“耶稣”，耶稣的含义是将百姓从罪恶中拯救出来。
在玛丽亚即将生产的时候，政府颁布法令，所有在伯利恒的人必须申报户籍，但是约瑟和玛丽亚到达的时候已经是黄昏，因旅馆都已经住满，无法容纳他们两人，他们便住在马棚中。
不久，玛丽亚在简陋的马槽生下了耶稣。后人为了纪念耶稣，便把12月25日，定为圣诞节。
『捌』 圣诞节的由来介绍（英文+中文）
圣诞节的由来英文
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.
圣诞节的由来译文
圣诞节是庆祝天主教中心人物耶稣诞生的节日，通常西方天主教堂在12月25日庆祝。圣诞节最早可追溯到公元200年，但直到中世纪才开始广泛流传。圣诞节庆祝活动包括赠送礼物、圣诞树、摆耶稣系列雕像、参加教堂活动、圣诞老人传说、家庭聚会等。
Christmas一词来源于中世纪英语Christemasse，大概的意思是耶稣的弥撒。有时候圣诞节被写成Xmas，因为罗马字母X和希腊文Chirst的缩写X很相似。
圣诞节(Christmas)，译名为“基督弥撒”。每年12月25日，是基督徒庆祝耶稣基督诞生的庆祝日，这一天基督教会都举行礼拜。
『玖』 急需关于圣诞节来源的英文介绍
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』 圣诞节英文简介
圣诞节英文简介：
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.
圣诞节中文简介：
圣诞节又称耶诞节，译名为“基督弥撒”，它源自古罗马人迎接新年的农神节，与基督教本无关系。在基督教盛行罗马帝国后，教廷随波逐流地将这种民俗节日纳入基督教体系，同时以庆祝耶稣的降生。但在圣诞节这天不是耶稣的生辰，因为《圣经》未有记载耶稣具体生于哪天，同样没提到过有此种节日，是基督教吸收了古罗马神话的结果。
大部分的天主教教堂都会先在12月24日的平安夜，亦即12月25日凌晨举行子夜弥撒，而一些基督教会则会举行报佳音，然后在12月25日庆祝圣诞节；基督教的另一大分支——东正教的圣诞节庆则在每年的1月7日。