圣诞马上就要到了!虽然在国内现在也有很多人过圣诞，但对这个血统正派的西洋节日你真正了解吗?快通过我们的十个问题来测一测你对圣诞节知多少吧!
1. 圣诞节的来历是什么?
In Christianity, Christmas is the festival celebratingthe Nativity of Jesus, the Christian belief that the Messiah foretold in theOld Testament's Messianic prophecies was born to the VirginMary。
在基督教的传统中，圣诞节是为庆祝基督耶稣降生的节日。基督教徒相信，弥赛亚告知圣母玛利亚孕育了上帝的儿子耶稣。
2. 传统的圣诞习俗有哪些?
Even in countries where there is a strong Christiantradition,Christmas celebrations can vary markedly from country tocountry.Formany Christians, a religious service plays an importantpart in therecognition of the season. Secular processions,featuring Santa Claus and otherseasonal figures are often held.Family reunions and the exchange of gifts are awidespread featureof theseason。
圣诞习俗国与国之间非常不同。对基督教徒来说，在圣诞节举行相应的宗教仪式必不可少。世俗的传统，通常包含圣诞老人和其他节日特征。家庭会在这一天团聚、互换礼物。
3. 各国的圣诞大餐都吃啥?
A special Christmas family meal is an important part ofthe celebration for many, but what is actually served can vary greatly fromcountry tocountry. In England, and countries influenced by its traditions, astandard Christmas meal would include turkey, potatoes, vegetables,sausagesandgravy, followed by Christmas pudding or mince pies. In Poland and otherparts of eastern Europe and Scandinavia, fish of tenprovides th etraditionalmain course, but richer meat such as lambis increasingly served. Ham is the mainmeal in the Philippines,while in Germany,France and Austria, goose and pork arefavored.Beef, ham and chickenin various recipes are popular throughout theworld。
和习俗一样，各国的圣诞大餐也有差别。在英国，和英语文 化圈，标准的圣诞大餐通常包括火鸡、土豆、蔬菜、香肠和肉汁，以圣诞布丁或碎肉派结尾;在波兰等东欧国家、包括斯堪的纳维亚半岛，鱼是圣诞餐的主菜，不过近年来类似羊肉的红肉也越来越盛行;火腿是菲律宾的主菜;在德国、法国和澳洲，鹅和猪肉是人们喜爱的菜肴;另外的，牛肉、火腿和鸡肉的菜肴在全球的圣诞菜单上都很流行。
4. 圣诞的传统装饰都有哪些?
Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plantfrom Mexico,has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holidayplantsinclude holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmascactus. Along witha Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants,along with garlands and evergreenfoliage.In Australia, North and South America,and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights andsometimes with illuminated sleighs,snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Thetraditional colors of Christmas are pine green(evergreen)， snow white, and heart red。
自19世纪开始，一品红，一种原产于墨西哥的植物就和圣诞节联系起来。其他流行的圣诞装饰植物还包括冬青树、懈寄生、红色宫人草和蟹爪兰。它们和圣诞树、花环、绿叶一起用以装饰房间。在澳洲、南北美和欧洲，还有用灯泡、发光的雪橇、雪人和其他圣诞人物装饰屋子外部的传统。圣诞节最传统的装饰颜色是青色、雪白和大红。
5. 圣诞赞歌是怎么产生的?
In the thirteenth century, in France, Germany, andparticularly,Italy,a strong tradition of popular Christmas songs in the nativelanguage developed. Christmas carols in English first appear in1426. The songswe know specifically as carols were originally communal songs sung duringcelebrations like harvest tide as wellas Christmas。
13世纪，法国德国、特别是在意大利，用当地语言写成的圣诞歌开始流行起来。第一首英语的圣诞赞歌写于1426年。现在为我们所熟知的那些圣诞赞歌应该是和丰收节的传统差不多同时起源的。
6. 圣诞节一定要寄卡片吗?
Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weekspreceding.Christmas Day on December 25 by many people (includingnon-Christians)in Western society and in Asia. The traditional greeting reads"wishingyou a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year",much like thefirst commercial Christmas card, produced by SirHenry Cole in London 1843.
在西方社会，圣诞节互寄卡片是传统习俗之一。历史上的第一张商业圣诞卡片起源于1843年的伦敦。(为保护环境还是建议大家寄电子卡片哟!)
7. 有圣诞卡片就要有圣诞邮票吗?
A number of nations have issued commemorative stamps atChristmastime. Postal customers will often use these stamps to mailChristmascards, and they are popular with philatelists.These stamps are usually printedin considerable quantities。
没错啊，很多国家在圣诞的时候都会发行纪念邮票。人们也经常用这些圣诞邮票来寄他们的圣诞卡片，这些邮票通常质量都很好，常被收藏做集邮。
8. 圣诞老人原名是什么?
The most famous and pervasive of these figures in moderncelebration worldwide is Santa Claus, a mythical gif bringer,dressed in red,whose origins have disputed sources. Santa Claus is a corruption of the DutchSinterklaas, which means simply Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra (inmodern day Turkey) in the fourth century. Among other saintly attributes, hewas noted forthecare of Children, generosity, and the giving of gifts。