英语听力—环球英语 1344 Advent

 　　Voice 1

 

　　Hello, I’m Marina Santee.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　And I’m Ruby¹ Jones. Welcome to Spotlight². This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　This time of year is special in many countries. Soon it will be Christmas. Christmas is the day when Christians⁵ celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ³, but all kinds of people celebrate Christmas as a holiday. In today’s programme, we look back in history to a time before Jesus Christ was born. We think about the people who were waiting for someone to rescue them from their struggles. Their concerns were for the problems that were affecting them at that time. But the Christmas message goes beyond that. We consider how hope for a better future can help people in their present situation today - however difficult it is.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“A child is born to us. A son is given to us. God has given him the right to govern. People will call him a Wise Guide, powerful God, Father for ever, the Prince of Peace.”

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　These words are from an English translation of the Bible⁶. In fact they are from the older part of the Bible. This part of the Bible is important for both Jews and Christians. The original words were written in the Hebrew language, more than 2500 years ago! But they were talking about future events. The man who wrote them was a prophet⁷, a messenger⁸ of God. His name was Isaiah. Isaiah lived in the land of Judah - part of modern day Israel and the West Bank. Judah was ruled by one king after another. Some were good kings, but most were bad. When Isaiah wrote his words, Judah was about to be attacked by its enemies. The people were afraid. And so God told Isaiah these words to speak to the people:

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“A child is born to us. A son is given to us. God has placed the right to govern in his hands.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Isaiah’s words helped many of the people at that time. The promise of someone who would govern a kingdom of justice and peace was like a light in their darkness. In time, a new king came to power In Judah. His name was Hezekiah. He trusted God, and saved his people from the attackers.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Jewish⁹ belief is that Isaiah’s words were only about the good king, Hezekiah. But some of the words seem to go beyond describing any normal king - words like mighty¹⁰ God, everlasting¹¹ father, prince of peace. Not even a king could live up to these words.

 

　　However, there is a second part to the Bible. This second part is part of the Christian⁴ Bible, but not the Jewish Bible. From this newer part of the Bible, Christians understand that Isaiah was talking about Jesus. We need to remember that Jesus was not born until seven hundred years after Isaiah. Christians believe that God gave these words to describe the birth and power of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not a normal ruler. He did not have a kingdom on earth. But Christians believe that Jesus is alive today in heaven. They believe he rules God’s kingdom - and he rules in their hearts. And they believe that Jesus will come again to earth, and he will be seen to rule over everything.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Christians remember the period of waiting before Jesus arrived, two thousand years ago. They call it, ‘Advent¹²’ - looking forward to the arrival of someone that people have long been hoping for. So, Advent also marks the Christian hope that Jesus Christ will come again.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　All this raises questions. How does anyone know that Jesus is ruling in their hearts? How does it show in the lives of normal Christians in the twenty first century? Most Christians would say that their problems do not go away - but they say they can live with their difficulties, and still have inner¹³ joy and peace. They say they do not lose hope. Here is one example of this:

 

　　For the people of Zimbabwe, trusting God is the main thing that helps them survive. This southern African country has experienced¹⁴ severe economic problems. Local people lack necessary things such as clean water and bread. Yet in the middle of this difficult situation, some Zimbabwe Christians can still speak of their faith in God.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Joseph drank some water from a pipe, but he did not know that the pipe was broken, and the water was dirty. Since that time, he has suffered constantly from stomach problems. He talks honestly about his situation:

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　“What is my hope? That is a difficult question. I would say that God has got the answer to this situation. I know someone out there can help me. Someone can understand the problems I and my family face. Someone can give me some food, some clothes, some financial help. I think prayer can be an answer to all these questions. I would say so, because I believe in God.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Mannymore agrees with these words. He is a church leader in the town where Joseph lives. He says:

 

　　Voice 5

 

　　“We have tried to solve the problems ourselves. We have tried politics. It does not work. The only one who can help us is Jesus Christ. Often there seem to be no choices. But at those times he provides us with something to eat and something to drink.”

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Joseph and Mannymore face huge problems. But they are waiting and living in hope of a better world - just like the people of Judah long ago. It is a time of advent for them.

 

　　Christians traditionally remember Advent on the four weeks before December the 25th - Christmas Day. On each of the four Sundays in advent, there is a small ceremony. In the ceremony, someone lights a candle. They remember the people years ago, waiting for Jesus to come. And they remember people today who are waiting for him to come again. A fifth, gold candle is kept for Christmas Day. It represents Jesus, the light of hope shining in a dark world.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　For many Christians, Advent is a time to stop and think. It is a time of quiet before the busyness of Christmas celebrations. It is a time to remember the birth of Jesus. And it is a time to look forward to a better world. They may pray a prayer, such as this:

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“Come, Lord¹⁵ Jesus - do not delay. Give new courage to your people who trust in your love. Amen.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The writers of today’s programme were Ruby Jones and Mike Procter. The producer was Ruby Jones. The voices you heard were from South Africa, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and the United States. All quotes were adapted for this programme. This programme is called, “Advent.”

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Thank you for joining us today - good bye.

1 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

2 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

3 Christ   

n.基督，救世主，耶稣

参考例句：

• I regarded him as the Christ.我把他当作救世主。
• Christ preached that we should love each other.基督在布道中说人们应该互爱。

4 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

6 bible   

n.《圣经》；得到权威支持的典籍

参考例句：

• According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam.根据《圣经》所说的，我们都是亚当的后裔。
• This dictionary should be your Bible when studying English.学习英语时，这本字典应是你的主要参考书。

7 prophet   

n.预言家，先知，提倡者

参考例句：

• A prophet made a prophecy that the kingdom would fall.一位预言家预言那个王国将要灭亡。
• The pity is that you are not a prophet.可惜你不能未卜先知。

8 messenger   

n.报信者，先驱

参考例句：

• By the time the messenger reached him,the damage had been done.送信人赶到他那儿时，损失已经造成了。
• I'll order a special messenger to deliver the document.我会派专人把文件送去。

9 Jewish   

adj.犹太人的，犹太民族的

参考例句：

• The coin bears a Jewish symbol.硬币上有犹太标记。
• They were two Jewish kids;I was friendly with both of them.他们是两个犹太小孩；我同他们都很要好。

10 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

11 everlasting   

adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的

参考例句：

• These tyres are advertised as being everlasting.广告上说轮胎持久耐用。
• He believes in everlasting life after death.他相信死后有不朽的生命。

12 advent   

n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临

参考例句：

• Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
• The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。

13 inner   

adj.内部的，里面的；内在的，内心的；精神的

参考例句：

• The label is on the inner side of the box.标签贴在盒子内侧。
• Other people seek the mountains for renewal of their inner lives.另一些人到深山中去，寻求新的精神生活。

14 experienced   

adj.有经验的；经验丰富的，熟练的

参考例句：

• Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather.有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
• Perhaps you and I had better change over;you are more experienced.也许我们的工作还是对换一下好，你比我更有经验。

15 lord   

n.上帝，主；主人，长官；君主，贵族

参考例句：

• I know the Lord will look after him.我知道上帝会眷顾他的。
• How good of the Lord not to level it beyond repair!上帝多么仁慈啊，竟没有让这所房子损毁得不可收拾！