VOA常速英语2007年-Palestinians Celebrate Christmas Eve With Festi

By Robert Berger
Bethlehem
24 December 2007

Palestinians in Jerusalem marched through the streets of Bethlehem Monday celebrating the Eve of Christmas, the day before the traditional birth of Jesus Christ. Robert Berger is in Bethlehem and filed this on-scene report.

Palestinian boy and girl scouts¹ are marched through Manger Square in Bethlehem, kicking off Christmas Eve celebrations. They marched past the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, playing drums and bagpipes².

It was a festive³ atmosphere. Manger Square is decked out with Christmas Trees that light and colorful balloons.

On a cool, sunny day a big crowd is looking on, including some pilgrims, but mostly local Palestinians. Christmas Eve celebrations will culminate⁴ with midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity.

1 scouts   

侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员

参考例句：

• to join the Scouts 参加童子军
• The scouts paired off and began to patrol the area. 巡逻人员两个一组，然后开始巡逻这个地区。

2 bagpipes   

n.风笛；风笛( bagpipe的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Yes, and I'm also learning to play the bagpipes. 是的，我也想学习吹风笛。 来自超越目标英语 第3册
• Mr. Vinegar took the bagpipes and the piper led the cow away. 于是醋溜先生拿过了风笛，风笛手牵走了奶牛。 来自互联网

3 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

4 culminate   

v.到绝顶，达于极点，达到高潮

参考例句：

• The celebration of the centenary will culminate with a dinner.百年庆典活动将以宴会作为高潮。
• Everyone feared that the boundary dispute between these two countries would culminate in a war.人人都担心,这两国间的边境争端将以一场战争到达顶点。