7.A Histry of Christmas.docVIP

A History of Christmas Christmas is the most cheerful and holy of holidays in the Christian world, which boasts of an estimated 1.8 billion people. Although the origin of this holiday was purely religious, it has evolved into a highly secular 长期的,世俗的 celebration each year. However, strong religious components are still conveyed in various ways each year. The two are intrinsically 本质上的,完全的 mixed in the midst of modern commercialism 商业主义 and attached to. Christmas day fall on December 25th each year, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of a carpenter living over two thousand years ago. Christianity 基督教 , the movement following the teachings of Christ, roused the world over the next many centuries. It is said that the first celebration of Christmas took place in 336 A.D. in Ancient Rome. No one seems to know for sure if December 25th was actually the date of Christ’s birth, but it is possible that Christian leaders in Ancient Rome wanted to replace pagan 异教的 religious holidays that occurred around the same time. Many secular symbols of Christmas have emerged over several centuries. Santa Claus, in his present form, is a fairly recent development whereas his origin, in part, goes back to Roman times. St. Nicholas was an early Christian Bishop 主教 of Patara of the Lycian seaport in present-day Turkey in the 4th century A.D. The Roman Emperor Diocletian, who persecuted Christians, imprisoned 监禁,关押 him because the practice of Christianity was illegal. The first Christian Emperor of Rome, Constantine, later released him. Nicholas’ reputation for generosity 慷慨,大方 , kindness and miracles earned him a widespread reputation and eventually sainthood 圣徒 . He is said to have brought back life to the children who had been chopped into pieces by their butcher father. He is reputed to have placed some gold coins in stockings, hung by a fire to dry by three poor girls. He had hoped that the girls would be able to use the money to marry to avoid living on prostitu