Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th of each year. It is the day Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The word ＂Christmas＂ means ＂Christ's Mass＂ - derived from the English term ＂Christes masse＂. There are many different customs and traditions around the world. American customs come from many places. Santa Claus has a Dutch origin. He was developed from St. Nicholas who was a real person. St. Nicholas, was the patron saint of school boys. He brought gifts to the children. The idea that Santa Claus comes down the chimney originated in Norway, where children hang Christmas stockings on the fireplace mantel. Christmas trees have pagan origins. When pagans became Christian, they used evergreens (a sacred tree) for the holiday by decorating them with nuts and candles. They sang Christmas carols as they danced around the Christmas tree.

Christmas colors are red and green. Today, traditional Christmas activities include caroling, making and giving gifts, sending cards to family and friends, and enjoying festive dinners and parties. Below are symbols of Christmas and their significance.

这里生词不多。是外国报纸上的一则很可爱的小短文。附上我自己的翻译：

圣诞节在每年的12月25日。这是基督徒们为了纪念耶稣诞辰的一天。/ ＂Christmas”的意思是基督的集结，源自英语名词“同道的基督”。世界上有很多不同的文化和传统，美国文化来源于很多地方。圣诞老人有荷兰的血统，是ST.NICHOLAS这个人物真实的写照。ST.NICHOLAS是学校小男孩中的老大，他经常买礼物奖赏他们。圣诞老人从烟囱下来的这种说法是源于挪威，那里的小孩们都把长筒袜挂在壁炉边。圣诞树有跟非教徒有关的起源。当非教徒变成基督教徒，他们在节日期间会给常青树挂上蜡烛和橡子。他们唱圣诞歌并围着树跳舞。圣诞色指的是红色和绿色。现在，传统的圣诞活动，包括唱圣诞颂歌、做礼物或者送礼物、送贺卡给家人和朋友，甚至是享受节日晚宴或者派对，都象征着圣诞节和它的非凡意义。 ^~^