北京的Susan问：

    圣诞节就要到了，我跟我的朋友们都很喜欢过这个节日。能否告诉我们西方人一般怎样度过这个节日的呢？圣诞节是怎么产生的？西方人还会过其它一些什么重要的节日呢？

    Anton: 大部分西方人都过圣诞节，孩子们更喜欢这个节日，因为他们会在这一天收到许多礼物。不过，现在有许多东方国家的人也开始过这个节日了。其实，对西方人来说，不论是圣诞节(Christmas)、复活节(Easter)还是感恩节(Thanksgiving)等等，都是有一定的宗教意义的。现在，让我给你们介绍一些西方人常过的节日吧。

    Christmas

    Although, for Christians, Christmas is not the most important of festivals, it is probably the most widely celebrated religious occasion in the West. This festival celebrates the birth of the messiah in Bethlehem Palestine about two thousand years ago. This messiah was Jesus Christ who, Christians believe, was sent to save mankind and absolve them from their sins. Nowadays, you might be forgiven for missing the religious element to this festival as it has descended somewhat into an orgy of consumerism and indulgence. Gifts are given amongst family and friends and cards wishing "Seasonal Greetings" sent between just about everyone. Father Christmas, otherwise known as Santa Claus, is said to squeeze his way down chimneys across the world on Christmas Eve and deliver presents to any children that have behaved well over the last year. Another important motif of the festival is the Christmas tree, around which traditionally people would dance, hinting at the pagan origins of this mid-winter celebration. ......