英译汉ehistoryofChristmasdatesbackover4000years.ManyofourChristmastraditionswerecelebratedcenturiesbeforetheChristchildwasborn.The12daysofChristmas,thebrightfires,theyulelog,thegivingofgifts,carnivals(parades)with

　　英译汉

　　ehistoryofChristmasdatesbackover4000years.ManyofourChristmastraditionswerecelebratedcenturiesbeforetheChristchildwasborn.The12daysofChristmas,thebrightfires,theyulelog,thegivingofgifts,carnivals(parades)withfloats,carolerswhosingwhilegoingfromhousetohouse,theholidayfeasts,andthechurchprocessionscanallbetracedbacktotheearlyMesopotamians.

　　ManyofthesetraditionsbeganwiththeMesopotamian(美索不达米亚)celebrationofNewYears.TheMesopotamiansbelievedinmanygods,andastheirchiefgod-Marduk(马杜克,古代巴比伦人的主神,原为巴比伦的太阳神).EachyearaswinterarriveditwasbelievedthatMardukwoulddobattlewiththemonstersofchaos.ToassistMardukinhisstruggletheMesopotamiansheldafestivalfortheNewYear.ThiswasZagmuk,theNewYear'sfestivalthatlastedfor12days.

　　TheMesopotamiankingwouldreturntothetempleofMardukandswearhisfaithfulnesstothegod.ThetraditionscalledforthekingtodieattheendoftheyearandtoreturnwithMarduktobattleathisside.

　　Tosparetheirking,theMesopotamiansusedtheideaofa"mock"king.Acriminalwaschosenanddressedinroyalclothes.Hewasgivenalltherespectandprivilegesofarealking.Attheendofthecelebrationthe"mock"kingwasstrippedoftheroyalclothesandslain,sparingthelifeoftherealking.

　　TheRoman'scelebratedtheirgodSaturn.TheirfestivalwascalledSaturnaliawhichbeganthemiddleofDecemberandendedJanuary1st.Withcriesof"JoSaturnalia!"thecelebrationwouldincludemasquerades(化妆舞会)inthestreets,bigfestivemeals,visitingfriendsandtheexchangeofgood-luckgiftscalledStrenae(luckyfruits).

　　"JoSaturnalia!"wasafunandfestivetimefortheRomans,buttheChristiansthoughitanabomination(深恶痛绝)tohonorthepagan(异教)god.TheearlyChristianswantedtokeepthebirthdayoftheirChristchildasolemnandreligiousholiday,notoneofcheerandmerrimentaswasthepaganSaturnalia.

　　ButasChristianityspreadtheywerealarmedbythecontinuingcelebrationofpagancustomsandSaturnaliaamongtheirconverts.AtfirsttheChurchforbidthiskindofcelebration.Butitwastonoavail(徒劳).Eventuallyitwasdecidedthatthecelebrationwouldbetamedandmadeintoacelebrationfitforthe