- 贝贝
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Christmas Card Christmas card
Although it could not compete with the speed of email today, the 1800"s nevertheless experienced a revolution in communication that played an important role in creating the tradition of the Christmas greeting card. Helped by the new railway system, the public postal service made corresponding a popular past time. In England, Sir Henry Cole recognized the advantage of a more efficient mail service and initiated the practice of sending Christmas greeting cards to friends.
The first card was designed by J.C.Horsley as a commercial endeavor. One thousand copies were sold in London, and soon others followed suit. An English artist, William Egley, produced a popular card in 1849. Louis Prang, a German born printer, working from his shop in Roxbury, Massachusetts, printed his first American cards in 1875. Even more important than his printing was the fact that he did more than anyone else to popularize the cards by instituting nationwide contests for the best Christmas designs, which were awarded cash prizes.
Adding to the popularity of Christmas cards was the "penny post," created by the British Postal System. This resulted in an inexpensive way to correspond with large numbers of friends, and as printing methods improved, Christmas card production increased.
From the beginning the themes have been as varied as the Christmas customs worldwide. Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures - Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, pictures are often jokes, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in
past times.
这是是圣诞卡的,也和圣诞有关系...
- S笔记
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An Ancient Holiday
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.
- 瑞瑞爱吃桃
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Do you know? Origin of Chdstmas___圣诞由来
The name Christmas is short for“Christ"s Mass”.A Mass is a kind of Church service.Christmas is a religious festivaI.It is the day we celebrate as the birthday of Jesus.
There are special Christmas services in Christian churches all over the world.But many of the festivities of Christmas do not have anything to do with religion.Exchanging gifts and sending Christmas cards are the modern ways of celebrating the Christmas In the world.
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 a Son,and he shall call his name,Jesus,for he will save his people from their sins.
Before Jesus births.Joseph and Mary came to Quintus 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 jn the jnn.And that.Christmas IS the feast of the nativity of Jesus.is on 25th,December every year.But nobody know the acluaI birthday of Jesus.And the Christmas has become popular when Christmas cards appeared in 1 846 and the concept of a joily Santa Claus was first made popular in nineteenth Century.
“圣诞节”这个名称是“基督弥撒”的缩写。弥撒是教会的一种礼拜仪式。耶诞节是一个宗节我们把它当作耶稣的诞辰来庆祝,因而又名耶诞节。这一天,世界所有的基督教会都举行特别的礼拜仪式。但是有很多圣诞节的欢庆活动和宗教并无半点关联。交换礼物,寄圣个诞卡,这都使圣诞节成为一个普天同庆的日子。
圣诞节是基督教世界最大的节日。4世纪初,1月6日是罗马帝国东部各教会纪念耶稣降生和受洗的双重节日、称为“主显节”Epiphany,亦称“显现节”即上帝通过耶稣向世人显示自己。当时只有耶路撒冷的教会例外,那里只纪念耶稣的诞生而不纪念耶稣的受洗。后来历史学家们在罗马基督徒习用的日历中发现公元354年12月25日页内记录着:“基督降生在犹大的伯利恒。”经过研究,一般认为12月25日伴为圣诞节可能开始于公元336年的罗马教会)约在公元375年传到小亚细亚的安提阿,公元430年传到埃及的亚历山大里亚,耶路撒冷的教会接受得最晚,而亚美尼亚的教会则仍然坚持1月6日主显节是耶稣的诞
辰。
12月25日原来是波斯太阳神(即光明之神)密特拉(Mithra)的诞辰,是一个异教徒节日,同时太阳神也是罗马国教众神之一。这一天又是罗马历书的冬至节,崇拜太阳神的异教徒
都把这一天当作春天的希望,万物复苏的开始。可能由于这个原因,罗马教会才选择这一天作为圣诞节。这是教会初期力图把异教徒的风俗习惯基督教化的措施之一。
后来,虽然大多数教会都接受12月25日为圣诞节,但又固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),各地教会可以根据当地具体情况在这段节期之内庆祝圣诞节。自从12月25日被大多数教会公认为圣诞节后,原来1月6日的主显节就只纪念耶稣受洗了,但天主教会又把1月6日定为“三王来朝节”,以纪念耶稣生时东方三王(即三位博士)来朝拜的故事。随着基督教的广泛传播,圣诞节已成为各教派基督徒,甚至广大非基督徒群众的一个重要节日。在欧美许多国家里,人们非常重视这个节日,把它和新年连在一起,而庆祝活动之热闹与隆
重大大超过了新年,成为一个全民的节日。12月25日的主要纪念活动都与耶稣降生的传说有关。
- ardim
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There are many ways to celebrate Christmas, and some British people like to go on holiday, go out for lunch to a restaurant, or spend the day with friends. But most people"s idea of a traditional Christmas involves spending a few days with their family - sometimes their extended family.
The day is the most exciting for the children. They may have spent weeks or even months dreaming of the presents they want most. Since the beginning of December, they may have opened their advent calendars, finding a new festive picture, chocolate, or small gift, to count down each day until 25th December.
On Christmas Eve, they hang up stockings, ready to be filled with presents by Santa Claus. Often a thank you gift of a mince pie and a glass of sherry will be left, as well as a carrot for those hungry reindeer.
Christmas Day itself will be spent eating lots of goodies, opening presents opening presents from loved ones, which have been waiting under the Christmas tree, and for most adults, drinking plenty of booze.
A Christmas lunch of roast turkey with all the trimmings is the main event, complete with crackers, and paper party hats. The meal will finish off with Christmas pudding, a steamed fruit pudding.
习俗
For some, a church service, or the Queen"s speech on television will be part of the family custom. For most, the afternoon and evening will be spent playing board games, or perhaps watching a family film on TV.
After the excitement of the big day, most families are happy to spend Boxing Day quietly enjoying their presents, and eating the Christmas leftovers, for example a turkey curry.
Then we can all forget about Christmas until next year… well until next September.