西方文化导论论文

Introduction to Western Class with Teacher Ron

1st Term AY 2011 - 2012

HUST – Rongcheng Campus

Christmas Day

Written by

Leah

2010-1

Chapter/Question:

Chapter 4 –why the Christmas Day is important?

As we all know that Christmas Day is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated generally on December 25th as a religious day by many people around the world. In fact, there is not record that show what is the exact date for Jesus Christ’s birth. The Ch ristmas Day is fixed on December 25th by people themselves later. The night before the Christmas Day is the Christmas Eve. And it is very popular around the world.

When it comes to the customs of Christmas Day, we all know a little or more customs about it. For example, people decorate the Christmas trees and send cards to their friends, relatives and family members. With popularity of the customs in Northern Europe, the myth of Father Christmas appeared. Father Christmas is also Santa Claus. Father Christmas has become the human face of Christmas. Pictures will be seen everywhere of the old man with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys. On Christmas Eve, Father Christmas travels through the sky on a sled pulled by reindeer. he lands on the roof of people's homes , enters through the chimney and leaves wonderful gifts for all the little children.

As for the food, it served varies greatly from country to country. In England and countries influenced by its traditions, a standard Christmas meal includes turkey or goose, meat, gravy, potatoes, vegetables, sometimes bread and cider. Special desserts are also prepared, such as Christmas pudding, mince piesand fruit cake. In other countries, they have different special food foe the dinner. Besides a special Christmas family meal is traditionally an important part of the holiday's celebration. People have a Christmas dinner with all the members of the family for Christmas Eve. Wherever they are, they will try their best to get together to have a dinner which is like the Chinese New Y ear. A number of nations have issued commemorative stamps at Christmastide. Postal customers will often use these stamps to mail Christmas cards,

and they are popular with philatelists.

In China, people also celebrate the Christmas Day. It can be seen as a holiday in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. In addition, it can be seen as a day for lovers to have a date. Moreover Chinese people have a special way to celebrate that is sending apples to people on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is ‘pingan ye’in Chinese. And the apples stand for the ‘pingan’ which is safety. All in all, Christmas Day as a holiday is accepted by more and more people in the world.

When people celebrate the Christmas Day, some people may think why we celebrate it. There is one reason, we all know, that to celebrate the birth of Jesus. At the beginning, Christmas Day’s main purpose is for the religion. In their mind, Jesus is very important foe them. They love him and respect him. Therefore they give much attention to Christmas Day.But now for many people, the importance of Christmas is not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christmas day now bring many benefits to people now. We can from three sides to see the importance of Christmas day.

Firstly Christmas give a chance for members of family to get together. At that time, they can communicate with each other. According to some surveys, communication is good for people’s hea lth. So Christmas day is good for health. Secondly Christmas is typically the largest annual economic stimulus for many nations around the world. Christmas day can promote the development of economy. To prepare Christmas day well, many people will buy a lot of things to spend holiday which make sales increase dramatically in almost all retail areas and shops introduce new products as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies. Then Christmas day means holiday. People can spare time from busy things staying with their family and traveling. Students can enjoy the holiday and workers can relax themselves. Even the president also can put down nation affairs. Finally Christmas day also have good effect on the arts and media. During the Christmas day, people can watch a lot of movies about Christmas day. Many stories came from the Christmas day. Besides there are many songs related to Christmas day, such us messiah and jingle bell. If we must say the importance of Christmas day, I think, we can not list all of it. In other words, Christmas day’s effect seep into many aspects of the society.

In my view, Christmas day is the holiday that I am familiar with compared with Easter day and other holiday. Because of the globalization, communication about culture happens to countries frequently. The result of it is that many Chinese people in their own ways to celebrate the Christmas day. As for me, Christmas day is like the common days, because I do not do something special. But for loves in campus, this is a good chance to enhance the relationship between them. So you will see many couples girl and boy stay together. It is very interesting and admiring. Though I do not have people to stay with me, I still feel happy. The atmosphere of Christmas day makes everyone feel excited. After all it is a happy thing.