12月25日，是基督教徒紀(jì)念耶穌誕生的日子，稱為圣誕節(jié)。
從12月24日于翌年1月6日為圣誕節(jié)節(jié)期。節(jié)日期間，各國基督教徒都舉行隆重的紀(jì)念儀式。圣誕節(jié)本來是基督教徒的節(jié)日，由于人們格外重視，它便成為一個全民性的節(jié)日，是西方國家一年中最盛大的節(jié)日，可以和新年相提并論，類似我國過春節(jié)。
西方人以紅、綠、白三色為圣誕色，圣誕節(jié)來臨時家家戶戶都要用圣誕色來裝飾。紅色的有圣誕花和圣誕蠟燭。綠色的是圣誕樹。它是圣誕節(jié)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，還點燃著圣誕蠟燭。紅色與白色相映成趣的是圣誕老人，他是圣誕節(jié)活動中最受歡迎的人物。西方兒童在圣誕夜臨睡之前，要在壁爐前或枕頭旁放上一只襪子，等候圣誕老人在他們?nèi)胨蟀讯Y物放在襪子內(nèi)。在西方，扮演圣誕老人也是一種習(xí)俗。
Christmas, annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Most members of the Roman Catholic Church and followers of Protestantism celebrate Christmas on December 25, and many celebrate on the evening of December 24 as well. Members of the Eastern Orthodox Church usually delay their most important seasonal ceremonies until January 6, when they celebrate Epiphany, a commemoration of the baptism of Jesus. Epiphany also traditionally commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men of the East in Bethlehem (near Jerusalem, Israel), where they adored the infant Jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The official Christmas season, popularly known as either Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas, extends from the anniversary of Christ’s birth on December 25 to the feast of Epiphany on January 6.
Christmas is based on the story of Jesus’ birth as described in the Gospel according to Matthew (see Matthew 1:18-2:12) and the Gospel according to Luke (see Luke 1:26-56). Roman Catholics first celebrated Christmas, then known as the Feast of the Nativity, as early as 336 ad. The word Christmas entered the English language sometime around 1050 as the Old English phrase Christes maesse, meaning “festival of Christ.” Scholars believe the frequently used shortened form of Christmas—Xmas—may have come into use in the 13th century. The X stands for the Greek letter chi, an abbreviation of Khristos (Christ), and also represents the cross on which
關(guān)于圣誕節(jié)英語資料: I like christmas
I like christmas because on Christmas morning! Children like to wake up early while it's still dark and sneak into the living room to check the presents----find any with their name on it, shake them to guess what's inside, and then maybe they'll go back to bed and pretend they are still asleep when their parents come to wake them with a "Merry Christmas!" But almost no one I know gets completely dressed or eats a regular breakfast first thing Christmas morning. They just put on a robe or wear their pajamas and go to see what's under the Christmas tree. Some Christian families have a tradition of reading the Bible story of Jesus' birth. Maybe it's to remind the children that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. Someone will begin to take the presents out from under the tree, see whose name is on the package, and then pass them around. Some families wait until all the presents have been given out before opening any of them, while others open each one as it comes to them. There are many "thank you" to the ones who gave the gifts, new clothes are tried on to see if they fit, and of course the most interesting toys will immediately be played with. Usually among the Christmas gifts will be some especially delicious candy or cake or cookies which everyone tastes. These sweet things may be the only breakfast many people eat Christmas morning. After the gifts have been opened, the room will be tidied up except where the children are playing with their toys. Everyone will wash and get dressed for the day. Some people may go to a Christmas morning church service around ten o'clock if their church didn't have one on Christmas Eve. But most people will just watch TV. Well, most men will. The children may play outside or inside with their new toys, but the mothers will be in the kitchen preparing Christmas Dinner.
圣誕節(jié)祝福語(英文版)
Merry Christmas and a happy new year.敬祝圣誕，恭賀新喜。
Best wishes on this holiday season. 獻(xiàn)上最誠摯的節(jié)日祝福。
Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas this holiday season.值此佳節(jié)，祝你全家圣誕快樂。
We wish you a merry Christmas. 我們祝你圣誕快樂。
Wishing you a beautiful holiday season.節(jié)日愉快。
Happy holidays! 節(jié)日快樂!
Season\'s greetings.順頌時祺。
Wishing you a white Christmas.愿你有一個銀白色的圣誕。
Have you been naughty or nice this year? 你今年乖不乖?
Don\'t forget to hang up the sock! 別忘了掛上襪子!
We\'ve had a rather uneventful year! 我們度過了平安無事的一年
May the holidays fill your heart with happiness.祝您節(jié)日快樂。