导言：飞驰的驯鹿,拉着满载礼物的雪橇，穿行于繁星闪耀的天空中、滑行于白雪覆盖的大地上；温暖的黄色灯光下，霓虹闪烁的圣诞树，树下堆放着包装精美的礼物；大街上回响着欢快的Jingle Bells(The One Horse Open Sleigh)，亦或令人倍感思乡的I'll beHome For Christmas。这一幕幕让人熟悉的画面、图景，无不在映衬圣诞节这一西方盛大的节日氛围。如果你感受到了身边与这一节日相关且新奇的某种活动形式，那么，就有必要对X-MAS做更多的了解。下面节选的部分内容或许有所帮助。
Christmas Day
Many people celebrate Christmas Day on December 25. The day celebrates Jesus Christ's birth. It is oftencombined withcustomsfrom pre-Christian winter celebrations. Many peopleerectChristmas trees,decoratetheir homes, visit family or friends andexchangegifts.
Background
The original meaning of Christmas is a specialchurch service, or mass, to celebrate the birth of Christ. The story ofthe Nativity, or the eventssurroundingthe birth of Jesus, are particularly important in religious celebrations of Christmas. However, many traditions that are around today have their roots in pre-Christian winter festivals. These include the importance of candles and decorations made from evergreen bushes and tree, symbolizingeverlastinglight and life.
What do people do?
People celebrate Christmas Day in many ways. In the days or even weeks before Christmas Day, many people decorate their homes and gardens with lights, Christmas trees and much more. It is common to organize a special meal, often consisting of turkey and a lot of otherfestivefoods, for family or friends and exchange gifts with them. Children, in particular, often receive a lot of gifts from their parents and other relatives and themythicalfigureSanta Claus. This has led to Christmas Day becoming an increasinglycommercializedholiday, with a lot of families spending a large part of their income on gifts and food.
Many Sunday schools, churches and communities organize special events. These can include decorating the neighborhood or a shopping mall, putting up a Christmas tree and planning a Nativity display, concert or performance. A lot of plays and songs have an aspect of Christmas as atheme. Some groups arrange meals, shelter orcharitableprojects for people without a home or with very little money.
Phrases & Expressions
combine:结合
customs:风俗
erect:竖立
decorate:装饰
exchange:交换
mass:弥撒(宗教仪式)
surround:围绕
everlasting:永久的
mythical:虚构的
figure:人物
commercialized:商业化的
theme:主题
charitable:慈善事业的
church service：（教堂）礼拜（仪式）
Santa Claus:圣诞老人
（来源：http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/christmas-day 编稿:刘新平）
更多相关信息也可参阅网址：http://www.christmas-day.org/
http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/global/christmas_day.php
