氣質姐與可愛可

　　Happy Birthday, Jesus! Well, not really. Christmas was initially celebrated as part of the Christian calendar, which marked all the special events of the Bible. December 25 was chosen for the celebration of Jesus' birth. However, it has evolved into something much bigger than that. Christmas is now a time to celebrate the winter and is also the biggest holiday of the year in the US.

　　Typical decorations include Christmas trees, wreaths, and nativity scenes. The last are made up of statues of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus surrounded by three Wise Men in a barn. Newer Christmas characters like Santa Claus are just as popular. In fact, most children in the US are still brought up believing that Santa delivers presents around the world on Christmas Eve. According to the stories, Santa keeps a list of children who are naughty or nice throughout the year. Children who have behaved themselves get special gifts, while those that haven't are given pieces of coal. Some families go to great lengths to keep the Santa myth alive. Children are told to leave milk and cookies out for Santa. Sometimes they even leave carrots or other treats for the reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh.

1. initially　adv. 最初，開頭
   The movie was initially scheduled for release in April, but it was held back until July.
   那部電影最初是訂於四月上映，但後來則延到七月。
   
2. evolve　vi. 逐漸形成；進化
   Scientists have long believed that human beings evolved from primates like gorillas.
   長久以來，科學家都認為人類是由猩猩之類的靈長動物進化而成。
   
3. surround　vt. 圍繞，包圍
   A team of bodyguards surrounded the pop singer as he entered the airport.
   那位流行歌手走進機場時，有一群保鏢將他團團包圍。
   
   
4. bring up.../bring...up　　將……養育長大
   After her husband passed away, Claire brought up their three children on her own.
   丈夫過世後，克萊兒獨自把他們的三個孩子撫養長大。
   
5. behave + 反身代名詞　　（某人）守規矩
   Children tend not to behave themselves when there are no adults around.
   小孩子在沒有大人在場時往往都不會守規矩。
   
6. go to great lengths to + 原形動詞　　千方百計（做）……
   Jason went to great lengths to win Sandy's heart because he thought she was the one.
   傑森千方百計想贏得珊蒂的芳心，因為他認定珊蒂是他的真命天女。
   
7. keep...alive　　延續∕保存……
   The tribal elders keep their traditions alive by teaching the younger members.
   部落裡的長者藉由教導年輕一輩來守住他們的傳統。
   
8. myth　n. 虛構的人事物；沒有事實根據的觀點
   It is just a myth that women are worse drivers than men.
   女性的駕駛技術比男性差只不過是一種迷思罷了。

1. wreath n. 花圈，花冠
   
   
2. nativity n.（耶穌的）誕生
   
   
3. barn n. 穀倉
   
   
4. coal n. 木炭
   
   
5. reindeer n. 麋鹿（單複數同形）
   
   
6. sleigh n. 雪橇

　　生日快樂，耶穌！呃，其實也不盡然啦。基督曆法上標註了聖經裡的所有重大事件，而耶誕節最初就是其中的慶祝活動之一。十二月二十五日正是被選來當作慶祝耶穌誕生的日子。不過這個節日至今已演變成一項更重大的盛事。現在的聖誕節是歡慶冬天的時節，也是美國年度最大的節慶。

　　傳統的聖誕節裝飾包含了聖誕樹、花圈及耶穌誕生的造景。耶誕造景就是一座穀倉裡擺有以下雕像：聖母瑪利亞、喬瑟夫，以及被東方三賢士所包圍的耶穌寶寶。後來出現的聖誕節人物，像是聖誕老公公，也同樣深受大家喜愛。事實上，美國大多數的小朋友都是聽聖誕老人的傳說長大的，他們相信聖誕老公公會在聖誕夜到世界各地分送禮物。根據傳說，聖誕老公公有一張名單，上頭記錄著這一整年來哪些孩子很頑皮、又有哪些孩子表現良好。那些乖孩子會得到特別的禮物，而不乖的則會收到煤塊。有些家庭千方百計想延續聖誕老公公的神話。他們告訴孩子要擺牛奶和餅乾出來讓聖誕老公公享用。有時孩子們甚至會放胡蘿蔔或其他點心，讓那些替聖誕老公公拉雪橇的麋鹿能大飽口福。
引用自：長春藤英語 http://www.ivy.com.tw/