常春藤生活英語：圣誕節(jié)的真諦

Christmas is a holiday that is over 2,000 years old. When we speak of Christmas, we tend to think of decorations, shiny lights, snow, presents, and trees. But some of these are quite recent traditions. What is the real story behind Christmas? Christmas is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the son of God in the Christian1 religion2. Over 2,000 years ago, Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary had to leave their home and travel to Bethlehem.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, all of the inns3 were full and they couldn't find any place to spend the night. To make matters worse, Mary started going into labor4. In the end, a kind-hearted man let them stay in his stable5 with the donkeys and sheep. Jesus was born that night, and he had to sleep in a manger6 because there was no bed for him.

On that same night, a bright star rose in the sky above the stable. Three wise men saw this star and realized it was a sign from God. They followed the star and found Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. To celebrate Jesus' birth, they each gave him a present. This is why we exchange gifts at Christmas.

圣誕節(jié)是一個(gè)歷史超過兩千年的節(jié)日。當(dāng)我們提起圣誕節(jié)，我們往往會(huì)想到裝飾品、閃亮的燈飾、瑞雪、禮物和圣誕樹。不過這當(dāng)中有一些是相當(dāng)近代的傳統(tǒng)。圣誕節(jié)背后真正的故事究竟為何?圣誕節(jié)是慶祝耶穌誕生的節(jié)日，在基督教的信仰中，他是上帝之子。于兩千多年前，喬瑟夫和他大腹便便的妻子瑪利亞必須離開家園，長途跋涉到伯利恒(編按：伯利恒為古代以色列的城市，位于約旦河西岸，距耶路撒冷僅有數(shù)公里之遙)。

當(dāng)他們抵達(dá)伯利恒時(shí)，當(dāng)?shù)厮械穆灭^都客滿，因此他們找不到地方過夜。更糟的是，瑪利亞又即將臨盆。最后一名好心的男子讓他們借住于馬廄中，與驢子和羊只同睡。耶穌于當(dāng)晚出生，由于那里沒有床，所以他只好睡在馬槽里。

當(dāng)天夜晚，馬廄上空升起了一顆明亮的星星。三位智者看到這顆星星，便明了那是上帝的啟示。他們追尋著星星，找到了耶穌、瑪利亞和喬瑟夫。為了慶祝耶穌的誕生，他們分別送了一樣禮物給耶穌。這就是為什么我們會(huì)在圣誕節(jié)互換禮物的原因。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. pregnant　a. 懷孕的

Michelle is now eight months pregnant.

米歇爾目前已經(jīng)懷胎八月了。

2. kind-hearted　a. 好心的;仁慈的

The kind-hearted lady gave her seat to me.

那位好心的女士讓位給我。

3. exchange　vt. 交換;調(diào)換

We exchanged our opinions on this movie.

我們就這部電影做了看法上的交流。

Phrases for Learning

1. speak of... 　　談及∕提起……

I rarely speak of my family to my friends.

我很少對我的朋友談起我家人的事。

2. spend the night　　過夜

Patrick spent the night at his co-worker's house after he got drunk.

帕特里克喝醉后在他同事家里過了一晚。

3. to make matters worse　　使不好的情況更糟

It started to rain, and to make matters worse, I forgot to bring an umbrella.

天空開始下起雨來，而更糟的是，我忘了帶傘。

Extra Words

1. Christian　a. 基督教的 & n. 基督徒

2. religion　n. 宗教;宗教信仰

3. inn　n. 小旅館

4. go into labor　　分娩;開始陣痛

5. stable　n. 馬廄;畜舍

6. manger　n.(牲畜的)食槽

Tips In Use

What is the real story behind Christmas?

(圣誕節(jié)背后真正的故事究竟為何?)

behind 用以表『在……后面∕之后』時(shí)，其用法

與 after 不同。after 通常與動(dòng)詞并用，表動(dòng)態(tài)的『追逐』之意。behind 則多使用于靜態(tài)下。

There is a tree after the house. (×)

→ There is a tree behind the house. (○)

(房子后面有一顆樹。)

Laura is standing behind the door.

(勞拉正站在門后。)

The police officer is chasing after the bad guy.

(警官正在追壞人。)