聖誕快樂:盤點聖誕節7大傳統習俗大綱
Christmas is one of the most beautiful holidays of all time. It is the day when God's son was born on earth. Hence, this day is sacred for all Christians around the world. The Christmas season gives rise to a number of Christmas traditions that come along. Here are a few of them that are celebrated with zest and enthusiasm worldwide for centuries.
聖誕節一直是個美好的節日。這是上帝之子誕生的日子，因此對世界各地的基督徒來說，這一天是非常神聖的。聖誕季節自然少不了各種聖誕傳統。下面這些傳統，可是幾個世紀以來一直世界各地的人們一直熱鬧歡慶的習俗。
Preparation of the Christmas cake
烘烤聖誕蛋糕
This was an English tradition which started centuries ago. On Christmas eve, plum porridge was served to the people. As years passed, various other things like dry fruits, honey and spices were used. Soon this porridge got replaced with the Christmas cake. Christmas cakes are made using eggs, butter, confections, fruits, etc. Today a Christmas cake is an integral part of a Christmas menu.
這項英式傳統早在幾個世紀以前就流傳開了，以前人們在平安夜喝梅花粥。隨着時間慢慢推移，人們還會享用果脯、蜂蜜及香料食物等，隨後聖誕蛋糕便代替梅花粥出現了。聖誕蛋糕由雞蛋、黃油、甜點、水果等烘製而成。現如今，聖誕蛋糕已成爲聖誕菜譜不可或缺的一部分。
Sending gifts to loved ones
給親友送禮物
This tradition comes from the story of the three wise men who got gifts for baby Jesus on Christmas. Every Christmas, gifts are exchanged among loved ones, especially children. The story of Santa Claus also comes from this tradition.
這個傳統源自一個傳說：三位智者在聖誕節給嬰兒耶穌送出了禮物。每年聖誕節，親朋好友尤其是孩子們都會互贈禮物，聖誕老人的故事也源自這個傳統。
Decorating the Christmas tree
裝扮聖誕樹
This refers to the tradition of decorating a pine tree using lights, tinsels, garlands, ornaments, candy canes, etc. Today, a Christmas tree is an indispensable part of Christmas celebration.
這個傳統指的是用彩燈、金箔、花環、飾品、糖果條等裝扮松樹。現如今，聖誕樹也是歡慶節日不可或缺的一部分。
Lighting up the Christmas candle
點燃聖誕蠟燭
This refers to the tradition of placing a lighted candle outside houses during the Christmas season. A candle signifies hope as it brings light even to the darkest room. In the earlier times, when Christians were persecuted, they were not allowed to practice prayers. Hence, a single candle used to be placed outside the house as a sign that Christian prayers were being conducted inside.
這個傳統指的是人們會在聖誕期間在屋子外面放一支點燃的蠟燭。即便在最黑暗的屋子，蠟燭也能帶來光明，寓意希望。早些年代，也就是基督徒深受迫害的時候，他們被禁止佈道禱告。因此，基督徒們在屋外放一支蠟燭，暗示他們仍在心裏默默禱告。
Singing Christmas carols
唱聖誕頌歌
It refers to the age-old custom of enchanting a number of traditional Christmas songs during the Christmas season. It adds to the joy and fun to the atmosphere. Different Christmas hymns or carols like The First Noel, Jingle Bells, Joy to the world, etc are sung every Christmas as a part of the Christmas celebration.
這是一個古老的習俗：聖誕期間總是迴盪着一首又一首聖誕傳統歌曲。歌曲給人們帶來歡樂，也增添了節日的氣氛。每年歡度聖誕之際，《第一個聖誕節》、《鈴兒響叮噹》、《普世歡騰》等各種聖誕聖歌或頌歌都會奏響旋律。
Making of Cribs
製作聖誕馬槽
This is yet another age-old tradition of Christmas. A crib refers to the Nativity Scene that is prepared using small statues. The first crib ever was made outside a church of St. Francis of Assisi for children to show them how the Nativity scene was like. Since then, this tradition became very popular.
這也是一個古老的聖誕習俗。人們用小雕像和馬槽營造耶穌誕生的場景。第一個馬槽建在聖法蘭西斯一所教堂外面，意在向孩子們展示耶穌誕生的場景。從那以後這個習俗便一直流傳了下來。
Distributing Christmas candies
分發聖誕糖果
This is one of the most wonderful traditions of all. Christmas candies are distributed to neighbors during the Yuletide season. On the day of Christmas, all misunderstandings and grudges are forgotten and the community comes together to celebrate the birth of Christ.
這是所有傳統中最有趣的一個。聖誕季人們向鄰居們分發聖誕糖果；聖誕節那天，所有誤會與仇恨統統化解，鄰里之間團結一致共同慶祝耶穌的誕生。
These traditions have been carried out for decades, yet they are celebrated with more and more exuberance each year. The level of excitement has never gone down. It just keeps getting better and better with time.
這些傳統沿襲已有幾十年，一年比一年熱鬧，盛況可謂有增無減。相信隨着時間的推移，人們對傳統習俗的熱情只會越來越高。
