染雾圣诞节的由来英语版 篇一
The Origin of Christmas
Christmas, also known as the Feast of the Nativity, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the world. It is observed on December 25th each year and is a time for people to come together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But do you know how Christmas originated? Let's delve into the history of this beloved holiday.
The origin of Christmas can be traced back to the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia. This festival was held in late December and was a time of feasting, gift-giving, and revelry. It was a celebration of the winter solstice, when the days start to become longer again. During Saturnalia, Romans would decorate their homes with evergreen branches, exchange small gifts, and hold elaborate banquets.
In the 4th century, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine. To promote the new religion and convert the pagans, the church decided to adopt and Christianize Saturnalia. They chose December 25th as the date for the birth of Jesus, even though the exact date of his birth is unknown. By incorporating elements of Saturnalia into Christmas, the church hoped to make the transition easier for the Roman citizens.
Over the centuries, Christmas traditions continued to evolve. In the Middle Ages, Christmas became a religious holiday with a focus on the birth of Jesus. Churches started to hold special services, known as Midnight Mass, on Christmas Eve. The nativity scene, depicting the birth of Jesus in a stable with Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, also became a popular tradition during this time.
During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, some Christians rejected the traditions associated with Christmas, viewing them as too pagan. However, Christmas remained a popular holiday among the general population, and new traditions began to emerge. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees, for example, originated in Germany and spread throughout Europe.
In the 19th century, Christmas traditions were further popularized with the publication of Charles Dickens' novel, "A Christmas Carol." This heartwarming tale of redemption and the spirit of giving resonated with people and helped to emphasize the importance of generosity and goodwill during the Christmas season.
Today, Christmas is celebrated in diverse ways around the world. While it is still a religious holiday for Christians, it has also become a secular celebration for many, focusing on family, gift-giving, and spreading joy. Whether you celebrate Christmas for its religious significance or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere, it is a time to come together and cherish the spirit of love and togetherness.
圣诞节的由来英语版 篇二
The Birth of Jesus Christ: The True Meaning of Christmas
Christmas is a time of joy, love, and giving. It is a time when families come together, and children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus. But amidst the excitement, it's important to remember the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ.
According to the Bible, Jesus was born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. His parents, Mary and Joseph, had to travel to Bethlehem to participate in a census ordered by the Roman emperor. When they arrived, there was no room for them in the inn, so they were forced to stay in a stable. It was in this humble setting that Jesus was born.
The birth of Jesus was not announced with grandeur or fanfare. Instead, it was announced to a group of shepherds who were tending their flocks nearby. An angel appeared to them, proclaiming, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
The shepherds immediately went to Bethlehem to see the newborn baby. They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger, just as the angel had described. They were filled with awe and wonder at the sight before them. They spread the word about the birth of Jesus, and all who heard it were amazed.
The birth of Jesus is significant because it represents God's love and salvation for humanity. Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to Earth to save mankind from sin. His birth marked the beginning of a new era, a time of hope and redemption.
For Christians, Christmas is a time to reflect on the gift of Jesus and the salvation he brings. It is a time to remember the selfless love of God, who sent his only Son to Earth to sacrifice himself for our sins. This is why the symbol of the cross is often associated with Christmas – it serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us.
While the traditions and celebrations surrounding Christmas have evolved over time, the true meaning of Christmas remains the same. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, to remember his teachings of love and compassion, and to spread joy and goodwill to others.
So, as you gather with your loved ones this Christmas, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. Remember the humble birth of Jesus in a stable, and let his message of love and hope guide your celebrations. Merry Christmas!
圣诞节的由来英语版 篇三
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. No one knows the exact date of Christ's birth, but most Christians observe Christmas on December 25. On this day, many go to church, where they take part in special religious services. During the Christmas season, they also exchange gifts and decorate their homes with holly, mistletoe, and Christmas trees. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ. The story of Christmas comes chiefly from the Gospels of Saint Luke and Saint Matthew in the New Testament.
The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.
Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god-Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. To assist Marduk in his struggle the Mesopotamians held a festival for the New Year. This was Zagmuk, the New Year's festival that lasted for 12 days.
The Persians and the Babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the Sacaea. Part of that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey. The ancient Greeks held a festival similar to that of the Zagmuk/Sacaea festivals to assist their god Kronos who would battle the god Zeus and his Titans.
The Roman's celebrated their god Saturn. Their festival was called Saturnalia which began the middle of December and ended January 1st. With cries of "Jo Saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called Strenae (lucky fruits). The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. Again the masters and slaves would exchange places.
"Jo Saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the Romans, but the Christians thought it an abomination to honor the pagan god. The early Christians wanted to keep the birthday of their Christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan Saturnalia.
Some legends claim that the Christian "Christmas" celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of December. The 25th was not only sacred to the Romans but also the Persians whose religion Mithraism was one of Christianity's main rivals at that time. The Church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the Saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of Christmas.
The exact day of the Christ child's birth has never been pinpointed. Traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 AD. In 137 AD the Bishop of Rome ordered the birthday of the Christ Child celebrated as a solemn feast. In 350 AD another Bishop of Rome, Julius I, choose December 25th as the observance of Christmas.
The birth of Jesus had a story: In Nazareth, a city of Galilee. The virgin's name was Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was minded to put her away secretly. While he thought about these things, Gabriel, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him did not be afraid to take Mary as wife. And Mary will bring forth
Before Jesus births, Joseph and Mary came to Quirnius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up out of Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and of the lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And that, Christmas is the feast of the nativity of Jesus, is on 25th, December every year. But nobody knows the actual birthday of Jesus. And the Christmas has become popular when Christmas cards appeared in 1846 and the concept of a jolly Santa Claus was first made popular in nineteenth Century.
The custom of giving gifts to relatives and friends on a special day in winter probably began in ancient Rome and northern Europe. In these regions, people gave each other small presents as part of their year-end celebrations.
In the 1800's, two more Christmas customs became popular--decorating Christmas trees and sending Christmas cards to relatives and friends. Many well-known Christmas carols, including Silent Night" and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," were composed during this period. In the United States and other countries, Santa Claus replaced Saint Nicholas as the symbol of gift giving.
The word Xmas is sometimes used instead of Christmas. This tradition began in the early Christian church. In Greek, X is the first letter of Christ's name. It was frequently used as a holy symbol.
