Christmas is one of the most beautiful holidays of all time. It is the day when God's son was born on earth. Hence, this day is sacred for all Christians around the world. The Christmas season gives rise to a number of Christmas traditions that come along. Here are a few of them that are celebrated with zest and enthusiasm worldwide for centuries.
圣诞节一直是个美好的节日。这是上帝之子诞生的日子，因此对世界各地的基督徒来说，这一天是非常神圣的。圣诞季节自然少不了各种圣诞传统。下面这些传统，可是几个世纪以来一直世界各地的人们一直热闹欢庆的习俗。
1.Preparation of the Christmas cake
烘烤圣诞蛋糕
This was an English tradition which started centuries ago. On Christmas eve, plum porridge was served to the people. As years passed, various other things like dry fruits, honey and spices were used. Soon this porridge got replaced with the Christmas cake. Christmas cakes are made using eggs, butter, confections, fruits, etc. Today a Christmas cake is an integral part of a Christmas menu.
这项英式传统早在几个世纪以前就流传开了，以前人们在平安夜喝梅花粥。随着时间慢慢推移，人们还会享用果脯、蜂蜜及香料食物等，随后圣诞蛋糕便代替梅花粥出现了。圣诞蛋糕由鸡蛋、黄油、甜点、水果等烘制而成。现如今，圣诞蛋糕已成为圣诞菜谱不可或缺的一部分。
2.Sending gifts to loved ones
给亲友送礼物
This tradition comes from the story of the three wise men who got gifts for baby Jesus on Christmas. Every Christmas, gifts are exchanged among loved ones, especially children. The story of Santa Claus also comes from this tradition.
这个传统源自一个传说：三位智者在圣诞节给婴儿耶稣送出了礼物。每年圣诞节，亲朋好友尤其是孩子们都会互赠礼物，圣诞老人的故事也源自这个传统。
3.Decorating the Christmas tree
装扮圣诞树
This refers to the tradition of decorating a pine tree using lights, tinsels, garlands, ornaments, candy canes, etc. Today, a Christmas tree is an indispensable part of Christmas celebration.
这个传统指的是用彩灯、金箔、花环、饰品、糖果条等装扮松树。现如今，圣诞树也是欢庆节日不可或缺的一部分。
4.Lighting up the Christmas candle
点燃圣诞蜡烛
This refers to the tradition of placing a lighted candle outside houses during the Christmas season. A candle signifies hope as it brings light even to the darkest room. In the earlier times, when Christians were persecuted, they were not allowed to practice prayers. Hence, a single candle used to be placed outside the house as a sign that Christian prayers were being conducted inside.
这个传统指的是人们会在圣诞期间在屋子外面放一支点燃的蜡烛。即便在最黑暗的屋子，蜡烛也能带来光明，寓意希望。早些年代，也就是基督徒深受迫害的时候，他们被禁止布道祷告。因此，基督徒们在屋外放一支蜡烛，暗示他们仍在心里默默祷告。
5.Singing Christmas carols
唱圣诞颂歌
It refers to the age-old custom of enchanting a number of traditional Christmas songs during the Christmas season. It adds to the joy and fun to the atmosphere. Different Christmas hymns or carols like The First Noel, Jingle Bells, Joy to the world, etc are sung every Christmas as a part of the Christmas celebration.
这是一个古老的习俗：圣诞期间总是回荡着一首又一首圣诞传统歌曲。歌曲给人们带来欢乐，也增添了节日的气氛。每年欢度圣诞之际，《第一个圣诞节》、《铃儿响叮当》、《普世欢腾》等各种圣诞圣歌或颂歌都会奏响旋律。
6.Making of Cribs
制作圣诞马槽
This is yet another age-old tradition of Christmas. A crib refers to the Nativity Scene that is prepared using small statues. The first crib ever was made outside a church of St. Francis of Assisi for children to show them how the Nativity scene was like. Since then, this tradition became very popular.
这也是一个古老的圣诞习俗。人们用小雕像和马槽营造耶稣诞生的场景。第一个马槽建在圣法兰西斯一所教堂外面，意在向孩子们展示耶稣诞生的场景。从那以后这个习俗便一直流传了下来。
7.Distributing Christmas candies
分发圣诞糖果
This is one of the most wonderful traditions of all. Christmas candies are distributed to neighbors during the Yuletide season. On the day of Christmas, all misunderstandings and grudges are forgotten and the community comes together to celebrate the birth of Christ.
这是所有传统中最有趣的一个。圣诞季人们向邻居们分发圣诞糖果：圣诞节那天，所有误会与仇恨统统化解，邻里之间团结一致共同庆祝耶稣的诞生。
These traditions have been carried out for decades, yet they are celebrated with more and more exuberance each year. The level of excitement has never gone down. It just keeps getting better and better with time.
这些传统沿袭已有几十年，一年比一年热闹，盛况可谓有增无减。相信随着时间的推移，人们对传统习俗的热情只会越来越高。
