英语美文：完美的圣诞礼物

 我总记得小时候的圣诞节早晨,我冲下楼梯,到处寻找圣诞树上最大的盒子。我一直相信,最大的盒子里会有最昂贵、最好的礼物。不过时间给年轻人的头脑和心灵施展了它的魔力,我很快就意识到每一个礼物都是特别的,独特的,有意义的。其实,我记忆最深刻的是那些直接来自“心”的礼物,比如妈妈手织的一件毛衣或一条围巾。显然圣诞节的意义不在于礼物本身,而是礼物背后的那份心思。 

　　这个圣诞节我一直都在祈祷能收到世界上最漂亮最令人惊异的礼物——我女朋友安吉拉。不过我知道圣诞节真正的意义在于“给予”。因此,这一次我自己承诺要为这个最好的女孩找到最好的礼物。我花了许多天在拥挤的商店里搜寻,扫描着众多的假日货架,但是好像没有什么能让我相中。圣诞很快来临了,我不知道究竟能不能找到“完美”的礼物。我决定再最后去一次当地的商场碰碰运气。也许我错过了某个店铺或者某种刚开始热销的新产品。可是随着我静静地从一家商店到另一家,还是没有什么能吸引我的眼球。我慢慢地、有些失落地朝商场出口走去。然而就在我马上要走到门口的时候,我突然找到了它。 

　　是的,这个礼物不是在什么奇特的百货商场找到的。它不能被包装在漂亮的包装纸里,不能用丝带装饰。事实上,没有收据也不能退货。那么,我是在哪儿找到这个“完美”礼物的,更重要的,它是什么呢?在一对手拉着手的老夫妻的眼中我找到了它;在祖孙有趣的顽皮话中,我听到了它;在一个自豪的新妈妈的举手投足间,我看到了它。 

　　是的,这个礼物就是“爱”!所以,安吉拉,这个圣诞节我要给你“我的爱”,而且我相信你会一直把它保存在你的身边。 

　　圣诞快乐,安吉拉,我爱你。 

　　注释 

　　①scan v.细看 

　　②catalog n.目录,目录册 

　　③mall n.购物商场 

　　④merehandise n.商品,货物 

　　⑤ribbon n.缎带 

　　⑥receipt n.收条,收据,收到 　　As a young child I can always remember rushing down the steps on Christmas morning and looking around the tree for the biggest box. I always believed that within the biggest box lied the most expensive and best gift. But as time works¹ it magic on the mind and soul of a young man, I soon realized each and every gift was special, unique, and meaningful. In fact, those presents I remember most are the gifts that came directly from the heart, such as one of my mother's handmade sweaters or scarves. Christmas definitely² is not about the gift itself, but rather the thought behind the gift. 

　　This Christmas I have already been blessed to receive the most beautiful and amazing gift in the world, my girlfriend Angela. But I know the true meaning of Christmas is found in the word "giving." So, this Christmas I promised myself to search and find the most incredible³ gift for this most incredible girl. I spent many days searching the crowded stores and scanning1 the numerous⁴ holiday catalogs2, but nothing seemed to stand out. As Christmas quickly approached I wondered if I would ever find that "perfect" gift. I decided⁵ to try the local mall3 one last time. Maybe I had missed a store or new merchandise4 had just hit the racks⁶ and shelves. But as I quietly passed from one store to the next, nothing attracted my eye. Somewhat⁷ defeated, I slowly made my way to the mall exit. But before I could reach the doors, I suddenly found that "perfect" gift. 

　　No, this gift was not found in a fancy⁸ department store. It will not be wrapped in pretty paper and adorned⁹ with ribbons5 and bows. In fact, this gift doesn't have a receipt6 and can't be taken back. So, where did I find this "perfect" gift and more importantly what is it? I found it in the eyes of an elderly couple holding hands, I heard it in the playful words between a grandfather and grandson, and I saw it in the actions of a proud new mother. 

　　Yes, the gift is Love! So Angela, this Christmas I give to you My Love and I trust that you will always keep it with you! 

　　Merry Christmas Angela and I LOVE YOU! 

1 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

2 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

3 incredible   

adj.难以置信的，不可信的，极好的，大量的

参考例句：

• Some planets run at incredible speed.某些星球以难以置信的速度运行着。
• Her answer showed the most incredible stupidity.她的回答显示出不可思议的愚蠢。

4 numerous   

adj.为数众多的；极多的

参考例句：

• There have been numerous exchanges of views between the two governments.两国政府间曾多次交换意见。
• There are numerous people in the square. 有许多人在广场上。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 racks   

行李架( rack的名词复数 )； 支架； 刑架； （羊、猪等带前肋的）颈脊

参考例句：

• You have to fight to reach the racks of clothes but the bargains are amazing. 你得费力往前挤才能够到那一架架的衣服，但那些打折品的确超值。
• There are racks of musty clothing and piles of junk. 有几架子发霉的衣物和成堆的废旧杂物。

7 somewhat   

pron.一些，某物；adv.多少，几分

参考例句：

• The cake we made was somewhat of a failure.我们做的蛋糕不大成功。
• The two office buildings are somewhat alike in appearance.这两座办公楼在外形上有点相似。

8 fancy   

n.想像力，幻想；喜好，爱；adj.想像的，时髦的，华丽装饰的，奢侈的；技巧的；vt.想象，自认为，喜好

参考例句：

• He seemed to have taken quite a fancy to her.他似乎相当喜欢她。
• I have a fancy that it's going to rain.我想大概要下雨。

9 adorned   

[计]被修饰的

参考例句：

• The walls were adorned with paintings. 墙上装饰了绘画。
• And his coat was adorned with a flamboyant bunch of flowers. 他的外套上面装饰着一束艳丽刺目的鲜花。