全民調查:聖誕節意味着什麼?
Christians around the world celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, each year. For many, it's a day of merriment and giving of thanks, marked by gatherings with friends and family, shared meals and the exchange of gifts.
每年的12月25日，全世界的基督教徒們都會慶祝聖誕節。在很多人看來，聖誕節是一個充滿快樂與感恩的日子。在這一天，人們總會與自己的親友相聚，共享佳餚，互相交換禮物和祝福。
The Huffington Post editors asked readers around the world what Christmas means to them. Scroll below to read the best responses.
在今年的聖誕節來臨之際，赫芬頓郵報的編輯們向讀者詢問聖誕節對他們的意義。以下就是一些很棒的答案。
Every year, my family goes with two or three other families (usually families we have known for many years) to sing Christmas carols at the local nursing home. Many of the residents have very few family members who visit them. Some have no Christmas visitors and are very lonely. We have one friend who lives in the nursing home who joins us every year, making his way through the halls as we push him in his wheelchair.
每年，我們全家都會和另外兩三個家庭（通常這些家庭都與我們是世交）一同去當地的療養院爲住在那裏的人唱聖誕頌歌。住在那裏的很多人常常一年到頭都很少有人探望。有些人甚至在聖誕節時也無人問津，非常孤獨。在那個療養院裏，我們有一個朋友。每到聖誕節，我們總會推着他的輪椅，走進禮堂，與我們共同歌唱、共同歡樂。
"It is a way that my parents taught me to think of others before myself, especially during the very materialistic Christmas season. Jesus teaches us to welcome strangers and comfort those who mourn. What better time to live out His teachings than during Christmas?"
“這就是我父母教給我的東西：多爲他人着想，尤其是在聖誕節這樣一個物慾橫流的節日裏更應該如此。耶穌教育我們要善待素不相識的人，給予傷心者以安慰。在聖誕節奉行他的教誨，豈不是一大樂事？”
--Lauren Purser, email
——來自勞倫·鉑澤的一封電子郵件
"I don't think of Christmas as being religious or non-religious, but rather as one of the few days where everyone can relax and snuggle up somewhere warm together (at least in the Northern hemisphere), and that is how I want it to be. Like, if just for that day, everyone could forget any hatred or sadness and just have kind sentiments."
“我覺得聖誕節不存在什麼宗教非宗教的特點，它只是人們在一年之中難得的、可以放鬆下來與別人相依相偎、共同取暖的日子（至少在北半球是這樣的），而且我理想的聖誕也是這樣的。我希望每個人都能忘記所有的仇恨和憂愁，內心充滿善意和溫暖，哪怕只是在聖誕節那麼短短的一天。”
-- Koh Fujinaga, HuffPost Japan Facebook
——藤永（日本），來自赫芬頓郵報臉書
"Our family is always together, that is our great tradition."
“我們一家人總要團聚，這就是我們最重要的聖誕習俗。”
-- Márcia Andréia Lopes, HuffPost Brasil Facebook
——馬西婭·安德爾·洛佩斯（巴西），來自赫芬頓郵報臉書
"My love for Stollen [a traditional Christmas bread] and dried fruits and nuts is endless."
“我對果子甜麪包（一種傳統聖誕麪包）、乾果和堅果的愛是無窮無盡的，怎麼也吃不夠。”
-- Masae Nakamura, HuffPost Japan Facebook
——來自雅枝中村（日本），赫芬頓郵報臉書
Instead of giving gifts, our family gives blessings based on what we have observed during the year #huffpostchristmas
“我們家並不會互相送禮物，我們會根據各自在這一年的狀況相互給予祝福。”
— Evan Schellenberg (@evanbuilds) December 19, 2015
——伊萬·舍倫貝格（@evanbuilds）於2015年12月19日
Favorite part of Christmas is pictures with the fam. #huffpostchristmas
在聖誕節，最幸福的事情就是與家人照全家福。
— iman (@mimilliman) December 20, 2015 10 great Christmas quotes
——網友iman (@mimilliman)於2015年12月20日
