President Bush's Christmas Address（在线收听）

President Bush's Christmas Address

Thank you all. Thank you very much. With the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, we observe one of the great traditions of our nation's capital. And throughout the Christmas season, we recall that God's love is found in ¹⁾humble places, and God's peace is offered to all of us. Laura and I are pleased to be with you at this Christmas Pageant of Peace, and we thank you all for coming as well.

I want to thank Barbara for hosting this event. (Applause) I want to thank all the ²⁾entertainers for making the night such a special evening, thank you all for coming. (Applause) I want to thank Peter and the board of directors and the production team for organizing this fine event. I appreciate Santa coming. (Laughter) Looks like he needs a belt for Christmas. (Laughter) Finally, I want to thank all the good people of the National Park Service. (Applause) The National Christmas Tree is a living tree and the Park Service looks after it every single day of the year.

For nearly 80 years, in times of calm and in times of challenge, Americans have gathered for this ceremony. The simple story we remember during this season speaks to every generation. It is the story of a quiet birth in a little town, on the margins of an indifferent empire. Yet, that single event set the direction of history and still changes millions of lives. For over two ³⁾millennia, Christmas has carried the message that God is with us - and, because He's with us, we can always live in hope.

In this season, we celebrate with our families - and deeply miss family members no longer with us. Thousands of families in our nation are still grieving over the terrible losses that came to them last year on September the 11th. We pray for their comfort. We pray for the comfort for everyone who has lost a life this year.

Our entire nation is also thinking at this time of year of the men and women in the military, many of whom will spend this Christmas at posts far from home. They stand between Americans and grave danger. They serve in the cause of peace and freedom. They wear the uniform proudly and we are proud of them. (Applause)

Laura and I wish every American family the blessings of this season, happy holidays, and a merry Christmas. And now we have the honor of lighting the National Christmas Tree. And joining us, we've got two new friends, Samara Banks and Ben Schneller, to help us light this tree.

Now, if everybody - you all step up here - (laughter) - get ready. Please join us in the ⁴⁾countdown: Five, four, three, two, one. (Applause)

布什总统圣诞讲话

                                                   2002年12月5日

谢谢，非常感谢。随着国家圣诞树上灯火亮起，我们迎来了祖国首都一个重要的传统节日。整个圣诞节让我们感到世间洋溢着上帝的爱，人人都享有上帝恩赐的和平。能在这和平的圣诞庆典中与大家相聚我和劳拉都很高兴，为此我也要感谢诸位的光临。

我要感谢芭芭拉主持这场仪式。（掌声）我要感谢所有的演艺人员，因为有了你们让今晚显得格外特别，谢谢你们的到来。（掌声）我要感谢彼得、整个理事会以及所有的筹备人员，是你们组织了这场盛大的庆典。我感谢圣诞老人的光临。（笑声）看起来他需要一条腰带过圣诞节。（笑声）最后，我要感谢国家公园各部门中所有辛勤的工作人员。（掌声）国家圣诞树是一棵活生生的树，因为有国家公园的工作人员日复一日地照看着它。

近八十年来，时逢安定，时逢挑战，美国人都要聚到一块儿举行庆典。如今，我们记忆中的圣诞节小故事已是老少皆知。那是一个生命在一个冷漠国度的边境小镇上静静降生的故事。然而这件事却划定了历史前进的方向，并且直到现在仍在改写着千百万人的命运。两千多年来，圣诞节一直传递着一个信息——上帝与我们同在。正因为他陪伴着我们，所以我们能永远生活在希望之中。

值此佳节我们与家人一同张灯结彩，并一同深切缅怀那些离我们而去的亲人。我们国家有成千上万的家庭仍在为去年九月十一号降临到他们头上的那场可怕灾难而哀恸不已。我们祈祷他们安心，我们祈祷所有今年丧失生活勇气的人安心。

此时我们举国上下同样也牵挂着那些军营中的男女军人，他们中的许多人将会在远离家乡的岗位上度过这个圣诞节。他们屹立在美国人与危机之间，他们捍卫着和平与自由，他们自豪地穿着军装，而我们为他们自豪。（掌声）

我和劳拉祝愿所有的美国家庭节日好运、假期愉快、圣诞快乐。现在，我们有幸来点亮这棵国家圣诞树。我们也请来两位新朋友——莎玛拉·班克斯和本·施内尔勒——帮助我们一起来点亮这棵树。

请诸位走上前来，（笑声），各就各位。请大家跟着我们一起数：五、四、三、二、一。（掌声）

注释：

1) humble [5hQmbl] a. 卑下的，简陋的

2) entertainer [entE5teinE(r)] n. 款待者，演艺人员

3) millennium [mi5leniEm] n. 太平盛世，一千年（millennia [mi5leniE] 是其复数形式）

4) countdown [5kaunt7daun] n. 倒数