染雾The Origin of Christmas (Part 1)
Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday around the world, but have you ever wondered about its origins? In this article, we will explore the history and traditions that have shaped Christmas into the holiday we know today.
The origins of Christmas can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations. Many cultures celebrated the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, as a time of renewal and a celebration of the return of the sun. In Rome, the festival of Saturnalia was held in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. This festival, which took place in late December, was a time of feasting, gift-giving, and merry-making.
With the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, the early Christian church sought to integrate these pagan traditions into their own religious practices. In the 4th century, Pope Julius I officially declared December 25th as the date to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is believed that this date was chosen to coincide with the existing pagan celebrations, in order to make it easier for converts to embrace Christianity.
The word "Christmas" itself comes from the Old English phrase "Cristes Maesse," meaning "Christ's Mass." The Mass is a religious service in which Christians commemorate the Last Supper and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is during this Mass that the birth of Jesus is celebrated.
Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved and developed its own unique traditions and customs. One of the most iconic symbols of Christmas is the Christmas tree. The tradition of decorating evergreen trees can be traced back to pagan times when people believed that evergreen trees had magical properties and could ward off evil spirits. Today, the Christmas tree is adorned with lights, ornaments, and a star or angel at the top.
Another popular Christmas tradition is the exchange of gifts. This tradition has its roots in the story of the Three Wise Men, who presented gifts to the baby Jesus. Today, people exchange gifts as a way to show love and appreciation for one another.
Christmas is also a time for gathering with family and friends. Many people attend church services on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and then gather for a festive meal. Traditional Christmas foods vary from country to country, but often include roast turkey or ham, potatoes, vegetables, and Christmas pudding or cake.
In conclusion, Christmas has a rich history that combines ancient pagan traditions with Christian beliefs. It is a time of joy, love, and celebration, as people come together to honor the birth of Jesus Christ and to create lasting memories with their loved ones.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Origin of Christmas, where we will delve deeper into the customs and traditions associated with this beloved holiday.
The Origin of Christmas (Part 2)
Welcome back to Part 2 of The Origin of Christmas. In this article, we will continue our exploration of the customs and traditions associated with this festive holiday.
One of the most beloved figures of Christmas is Santa Claus. The modern-day image of Santa Claus can be traced back to the 19th-century poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore. This poem, also known as "The Night Before Christmas," describes Santa Claus as a jolly, rotund man with a white beard who travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
The legend of Santa Claus has its roots in the story of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Myra, in present-day Turkey. Saint Nicholas was known for his generosity and kindness, particularly towards children. It is said that he would secretly leave gifts for those in need, often dropping them down chimneys. Over time, Saint Nicholas became known as the patron saint of children and the gift-giver of Christmas.
Another popular Christmas tradition is the hanging of stockings. This tradition is said to have originated from the story of Saint Nicholas. According to the legend, Saint Nicholas once helped a poor family by secretly leaving gold coins in their stockings, which were hung by the fireplace to dry. Today, children hang stockings in the hopes of finding small gifts and treats from Santa Claus on Christmas morning.
Caroling is another beloved Christmas tradition. The tradition of singing carols dates back to medieval times when people would sing songs and hymns to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Today, carolers go door to door, spreading holiday cheer and raising money for charitable causes.
Mistletoe is yet another symbol associated with Christmas. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is said to have originated from ancient pagan beliefs. It was believed that mistletoe had magical properties and could bring good luck and fertility. Today, the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is seen as a symbol of love and romance during the holiday season.
In conclusion, Christmas is a holiday steeped in tradition and customs. From the legend of Santa Claus to the hanging of stockings and the singing of carols, these traditions have been passed down through generations, bringing joy and merriment to people around the world. As we celebrate this festive season, let us remember the rich history and meaning behind the customs and traditions that make Christmas so special.
圣诞节的由来的英文版 篇三
圣诞节的由来的英文版
the origin of christmas
christmas day-december 25-which celebrates the birth of jesus christ， the founder of the christian religion， is the biggest and best-loved holiday in the united states.
according to the bible， the holy book of christians， god decided to allow his only son， jesus christ， to be born to a human mother and live on earth so that people could understand god better and learn to love god and each other more. "christmas"- meaning "celebration of christ "- honors the time when jesus was born to a young jewish woman mary.
mary was engaged to be married to joseph， a carpenter， but before they came together， she was found to be with child. because joseph， her husband， was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace， he had in mind to porce her quietly. but after he had considered this， an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and said， "do not be afraid to take mary home as your wife， because what is conceived in her is from the holy spirit. she will give birth to a son， and you are to give him the name jesus， because he will save his people from their sins."
although the exact date of the birth of jesus nearly 2，000 years ago is not known， the calendar on the supposed date pides all time into b.c. (before christ )and a.d. ( a latin phrase， anno domini， "in the year of our lord.")for the first 300 years， jesus’ birthday was celebrated on different dates. finally， in the year 354， church leaders chose december 25 as his birthday.
圣诞节只是基督徒庆祝其信仰的耶稣基督(jīdū)诞生的庆祝日。圣诞节的庆祝与基督教同时产生，被推测始于西元1世纪。很长时间以来圣诞节的日
西元纪年创制于西元5世纪，后来圣诞节这一天就按格里高利历法，即西元纪年的“公历”来确定了，而日历按着假定日期把时间分为公元前(耶稣基督诞生前)和公元后(a. d. 是拉丁文缩写，意思是“有了我们主--耶稣的年代”)。后来，虽然普遍教会都接受12月25日为圣诞节，但又因各地教会使用的历书不同，具体日期不能统一，于是就把12月24日到第二年的1月6日定为圣诞节节期(christmas tide)，各地教会可根据当地具体情况在这段节期之内庆祝圣诞节。西方教会，包括罗马天主教、英国圣公会和新教，确定的圣诞日是公历的12月25日。东正教会确定的圣诞日是公历1月7日(实际上是叫“主显日”)，这与东正教没有接受格里高利历改革和接受修正后的儒略历有关，因此把圣诞节在19xx年到2099年的这一段时间内将延迟到1月7日。保加利亚和罗马尼亚也是东正教区，但圣诞节日期上遵循西欧习惯为12月25日，但复活节则遵从习惯。而最古老的基督教会亚美尼亚使徒教会确定的'是公历1月6日，同时亚美尼亚教会更关注主显节，而不是圣诞节。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、马来西亚和新加坡。世界上的非基督徒只是把圣诞节当作一个世俗的文化节日看待。
教会开始并无圣诞节，约在耶稣升天后百余年内才有。据说：第一个圣诞节是在公元138年，由罗马主教圣克里门倡议举行。而教会史载第一个圣诞节则在公元336年。由于圣经未明记耶稣生于何时，故各地圣诞节日期各异。直到公元440年，才由罗马教廷定12月25日为圣诞节。公元16xx年，世界各地教会领袖在伯利恒聚会，进一步予以确定，从此世界大多数的基督徒均以12月25日为圣诞节。十九世纪，圣诞卡的流行、圣诞老人的出现，圣诞节也开始流行起来了。
