VOA常速英语2019--圣诞节（在线收听）

December 25th is one of Christianity’s most important holy days, a commemoration of the birth some 2000 years ago of Jesus Christ, revered by Christians as the Incarnate God, the Savior, the Light of the World. His parents, Mary and Joseph were among the poor, and tradition has it that Jesus was born into the cold of a stable in the darkest depths of winter.

12月25日是基督教最重要的神圣日子之一，是纪念约2000年前耶稣基督诞生的日子，被基督徒尊为上帝的化身、救世主、世界之光。他的父母，耶稣玛利亚和约瑟夫都是穷人，传统上说耶稣出生在一个寒冷的冬天最黑暗的马厩里。

From time immemorial, people living in the Northern hemisphere have celebrated the winter Solstice, as the fading of the light gives way to lengthening days and the promise of nature’s renewal. Ancient peoples around the world welcomed the turn of the year and the pending reappearance of the sun with celebrations and elaborate rituals, some of which still echo in today’s observances, including the emphasis on light. Celebrating the birth of Jesus near the time of the Solstice capitalized on these ancient yearnings and mid-winter observances which still are present in other communities across the world.

从远古时代起，生活在北半球的人们就开始庆祝冬至，因为随着太阳光线移动，白昼变长，大自然也开始复苏。世界各地的古代人们用庆祝活动和精心准备的仪式迎接新年的到来，迎接即将到来的太阳的重现。在夏至前后庆祝耶稣的诞生，利用了这些古老的渴望和冬至仪式，这些仪式至今仍在世界各地的其他社区中存在。

Around December 22nd, the Chinese and a number of East Asian peoples celebrate Dōngzhì, a time for families to get together and remember the year just past, as well as to celebrate the arrival of winter and the return of light. The ancient Yalda festival is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran, while the Japanese observe Toji, a traditional practice centered around starting the new year with good health and good luck.

在12月22日,中国和东亚人民庆祝冬至，家人聚在一起的时候，回忆刚刚过去的一年，庆祝冬天的到来以及太阳光线的回归。在伊朗，古老的耶尔达节是庆祝冬至的节日，而日本人则去东寺祈求健康和好运来庆祝新年。

The celebrations are varied, but everywhere the spirit of cheer and optimism prevails. For Christians, what echoes through the centuries is the announcement by an Angel that first Christmas night, of a Birth and its promise: “Peace on Earth; good will toward men.”

庆祝活动多种多样，但到处洋溢着欢乐和乐观的精神。对于基督徒来说，几个世纪以来回响着的是天使在第一个圣诞之夜的宣告:一个生命的诞生和它的承诺：“世界和平；善待他人。”

“Each and every year at Christmastime, we recognize that the real spirit of Christmas is not what we have, it’s about who we are, each one of us is a child of God. That is the true source of joy this time of the year. That is what makes every Christmas merry,” said President Donald Trump.

“每一年的圣诞节，我们都认识到圣诞节的真正精神不在于我们拥有什么，而在于我们是谁，我们每个人都是上帝的孩子。这才是一年中这个时候真正快乐的源泉。这就是使每个圣诞节快乐的原因，”唐纳德·特朗普总统说。

"We pray that our country will be a place where every child knows a home filled with love, a community rich with hope and a nation blessed with faith.”

“我们祈祷我们国家的每个孩子都有一个充满爱的家庭，整个国家充满希望和信仰。”