Christmas, annual Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Most members of the Roman Catholic Church and followers of Protestantism celebrate Christmas on December 25, and many celebrate on the evening of December 24 as well. Members of the Eastern Orthodox Church usually delay their most important seasonal ceremonies until January 6, when they celebrate Epiphany, a commemoration of the baptism of Jesus. Epiphany also traditionally commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men of the East in Bethlehem (near Jerusalem, Israel), where they adored the infant Jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The official Christmas season, popularly known as either Christmastide or the Twelve Days of Christmas, extends from the anniversary of Christ’s birth on December 25 to the feast of Epiphany on January 6.
Christmas is based on the story of Jesus’ birth as described in the Gospel according to Matthew (see Matthew 1:18-2:12) and the Gospel according to Luke (see Luke 1:26-56). Roman Catholics first celebrated Christmas, then known as the Feast of the Nativity, as early as 336 ad. The word Christmas entered the English language sometime around 1050 as the Old English phrase Christes maesse, meaning “festival of Christ.” Scholars believe the frequently used shortened form of Christmas—Xmas—may have come into use in the 13th century. The X stands for the Greek letter chi, an abbreviation of Khristos (Christ), and also represents the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Let's say that on December 20 you were to meet a friendly space alien. That is, let's say that his space ship discreetly drops him off in your back yard while you are looking out your window. You walk outside to meet the visitor, and you find out he's a pretty nice guy. His name is Gorg, he is wearing a costume that makes him look passably human, he speaks reasonable English, and he explains that his goal is to spend a week on the planet to learn about its people. He asks if you would consider being his guide for the week, and you decide to take on the job.
So you take Gorg around and start showing him your town. Since it is December 20, one thing is for sure -- Gorg is going to ask about Christmas. And he is going to ask a LOT of questions, because Christmas is a pretty complicated tradition. Think about all the different questions Gorg might ask:
What is Christmas?
Why is Christmas such a big deal?
Why do people give each other presents on Christmas day?
Is December 25 really the day Jesus was born?
Why is there a small evergreen tree in your living room?
Why have you decorated this evergreen with ornaments, lights, fake snow and Mylar plastic tinsel?
Why do you have holly draped over the mantel and staircase?
Why is mistletoe hanging over the front door?
And what about this nativity scene in the corner?
Why is there a big log in the fireplace?
Why are there poinsettias on the hearth?
And what about these fruit cakes?
Why are there oversized socks hanging on your mantel?
Why are Christmas cards scattered all over the coffee table?
Why do I keep hearing the same songs over and over again?
What, exactly, are the 12 days of Christmas?
Why do Christmas carolers walk around the neighborhood singing?
Why is the day before Christmas, Christmas Eve, celebrated?
Who is this Santa Claus person?
What's with this reindeer named Rudolf?
Why do so many people, even Floridians, dream of a white Christmas?
Why is Christmas sometimes spelled Xmas?
Why are stores and malls so geared up about this holiday?
la
内容全部来源于网络收集，如有侵权，请联系网站删除：QQ：24596024