The legend or cultural background of Christmas, a Chinese translation and an English translation. Urgent! English is good. Help!
Christmas is the biggest festival in the Christian world. At the beginning of the 4th century AD, 65438+1October 6th was a double festival for churches in the Eastern Roman Empire to commemorate the birth and baptism of Jesus, which was called Epiphany, also known as Epiphany, that is, God appeared to the world through Jesus. The only exception at that time was the church in Lulaleng, which only commemorated the birth of Jesus, not the baptism of Jesus. Later, historians found in the calendar used by Roman Christians that the page of 65438+ February 25, 354 AD recorded: "Christ was born in Bethlehem, Judah." After textual research, it is generally believed that Christmas on February 25, 65438 may have started in 336 AD. It spread to Antioch in Asia Minor in 375 AD and to Alexandria in Egypt in 430 AD. The church in Salem accepted it at the latest, while the church in Armenia still insisted that epiphany was the birthday of Jesus in 654381October 6.
65438+February 25th was originally the birthday of Mithra, the Persian sun god (that is, god of light), and it was a pagan festival. At the same time, the sun god is also one of the gods of Roman Catholicism. This day is also the winter solstice festival of the Roman calendar, and pagans who worship the sun god regard this day as the hope of spring and the beginning of the revival of everything. Perhaps for this reason, the Roman church chose this day as Christmas. This is one of the measures that the early church tried to christianize pagan customs.
Later, although most churches accepted 65438+February 25th as Christmas Day, the calendars used by churches in different places were different, and the specific dates could not be unified. Therefore, the period from 65438+February 24th to 65438+1October 6th of the following year was designated as Christmas Tide, and local churches could celebrate Christmas during this period according to local conditions. Since February 25th, 65438+ was recognized as Christmas by most churches, the Epiphany of 654381October 6th only commemorates the baptism of Jesus. However, the Catholic Church designated June 6, 65438+ as the "Three Kings Day" to commemorate the story that three kings (that is, three doctors) came to worship when Jesus was born. With the widespread spread of Christianity, Christmas has become an important festival for Christians and even non-Christians of all denominations. In many countries in Europe and America, people attach great importance to this festival and associate it with the New Year. The excitement and solemnity of the celebration greatly surpassed the New Year and became a national festival. The main commemorative activities on February 25th, 65438 are all related to the legend of the birth of Jesus.
There is a story about the birth of Jesus, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. God even sent the angel Gabriel to Yue Se in his dream, telling him not to abandon Maria because she was unmarried and pregnant, but to marry her and name the child "Jesus", which means to save people from sin.
When Mary was about to give birth, the Roman government ordered that all people must declare when they went to Bethlehem. Jesus is coming! So Mary only gave birth to Jesus in a manger. In order to commemorate the birth of Jesus, future generations designated1February 25th as Christmas, and visited Caesar every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus.
Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus on1February 25th, but what is the real date of birth? Someone knows. With the abolition of19th century, the popularity of Christmas cards and the appearance of Santa Claus, Christmas has also become popular.
The origin of Christmas
The name Christmas is short for "Christ Mass". Mass is a church ceremony. Christmas is a religious holiday. This is the day when we celebrate Jesus' birthday.
Christian churches all over the world have special Christmas ceremonies. But many Christmas celebrations have nothing to do with religion. Exchanging gifts and sending Christmas cards are modern ways to celebrate Christmas in the world.
The birth of Jesus has a story: in the city of Nazareth in Galilee. The name of the Virgin Mary is Joseph. Before they were together, she was found to be pregnant with the child of the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph is going to sneak her away. While he was thinking about these things, Gabriel, the angel of God, appeared in his dream and told him not to be afraid to marry Mary. Mary will give birth to a son, and he will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
Before Jesus was born, Yue Se and Mary came to Syria ruled by Shen Yulun. So all the people went to register, each to his city. Yue Se also went up to Judea from the city of Nazareth in Galilee, and came to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was a member of David's family and was to be registered with Mary, his betrothed pregnant wife. When they were there, it was time for her to give birth. She gave birth to her eldest son, wrapped him in a cloth and put him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Christmas is the birthday of Jesus, which falls on1February 25th every year. But no one knows the actual birthday of Jesus. When Christmas cards appeared in A.D. 1846, Christmas became popular, and the concept of Happy Santa Claus first became popular in the 19th century.