Section BSection B

Christmas TraditionsChristmas Traditions

Backgroud InformationBackgroud Information

1. Pope St. Julius I (3371. Pope St. Julius I (337 －－ 352) 352)

  The immediate successor of Pope Silvester, Arcus, who   The immediate successor of Pope Silvester, Arcus, who ruled the Roman Church for only a very short period — fruled the Roman Church for only a very short period — from January 18th to October 7th, 336. His pontificate rom January 18th to October 7th, 336. His pontificate (( 就任就任 ) is chiefly celebrated for his judicious () is chiefly celebrated for his judicious ( 明智的明智的 ) ) and firm intervention (and firm intervention ( 干涉干涉 ) in the Arian controversies ) in the Arian controversies (( 争议争议 ). Emperor Constans, the ruler over the greater par). Emperor Constans, the ruler over the greater part of the Empire, at the request of the Pope and other Westt of the Empire, at the request of the Pope and other Western bishops, interceded (ern bishops, interceded ( 同 …… 斡旋同 …… 斡旋 ) with his brother ) with his brother Constantius, Emperor of the East, in favor of the bishops Constantius, Emperor of the East, in favor of the bishops who had been deposed (who had been deposed ( 罢免罢免 ) and persecuted () and persecuted ( 迫害迫害 ) b) by the Arian party. Both rulers agreed that there should be y the Arian party. Both rulers agreed that there should be convened (convened ( 召集召集 ) a general council () a general council ( 会议会议 ) of the Weste) of the Western and Eastern bishops at Sardica. It was in this council trn and Eastern bishops at Sardica. It was in this council that Julius received a signed confession of faith. Julius diehat Julius received a signed confession of faith. Julius died on April 12th, 352.d on April 12th, 352.

2. Santa Claus and St. Nicholas2. Santa Claus and St. Nicholas

  The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who   The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what was born during the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a is now Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was stidevout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and gill young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritanve the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicatce to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra whied his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known througle still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for hout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.children, and his concern for sailors and ships.  

There are many stories told of St. Nicholas savinThere are many stories told of St. Nicholas saving his people from famine, sparing the lives of those ing his people from famine, sparing the lives of those innocently accused, and much more. He did many kind anocently accused, and much more. He did many kind and generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in returnd generous deeds in secret, expecting nothing in return. Within a century of his death, he was celebrated as n. Within a century of his death, he was celebrated as a saint. Today he is venerated (a saint. Today he is venerated ( 崇拜崇拜 ) in the East as a ) in the East as a wonder, or miracle worker, and in the West as patron wonder, or miracle worker, and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons—children, mariners, bankof a great variety of persons—children, mariners, bankers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, jers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, childrudges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, even en, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need. protector of all in trouble or need.

Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron, carried Sailors, claiming St. Nicholas as patron, carried stories of his favor and protection far and wide. St. Nicstories of his favor and protection far and wide. St. Nicholas chapels were built in many seaports. As his populholas chapels were built in many seaports. As his popularity spread during the Middle Ages, he became the patarity spread during the Middle Ages, he became the patron saint of Apulia (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and Lorraine ron saint of Apulia (Italy), Sicily, Greece, and Lorraine (France), as well as many cities in Germany, Austria, S(France), as well as many cities in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.witzerland, Italy, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Following his baptism in Constantinople, Vladimir I o Following his baptism in Constantinople, Vladimir I of Russia brought St. Nicholas' stories and devotion to Sf Russia brought St. Nicholas' stories and devotion to St. Nicholas in his homeland, where Nicholas became tht. Nicholas in his homeland, where Nicholas became the most beloved saint. Nicholas was so widely revered te most beloved saint. Nicholas was so widely revered that more than 2,000 churches were named for him, in shat more than 2,000 churches were named for him, in some countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Enome countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, England, etc.gland, etc.

3. Legends about Santa Claus3. Legends about Santa Claus

There are many legends about Santa There are many legends about Santa Claus and his kindness and love. The follClaus and his kindness and love. The following two stories are just selected for claowing two stories are just selected for cla

ss usess use..

One story speaks of a poor man with three daughters. One story speaks of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospectiIn those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective (ve ( 未来的未来的 ) husbands a dowry () husbands a dowry ( 嫁妆嫁妆 ). The larger the do). The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find wry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, however, a woman was a good husband. Without a dowry, however, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowrunlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriies, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared iously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home — providing the needed dowries. The bags of n their home — providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landgold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led ed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out sto the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimehoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. Ts the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranghat is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Niches, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver.olas is a gift-giver.

Another story tells of three theological (Another story tells of three theological ( 神学的神学的 ) st) students, traveling on their way to study in Athens (udents, traveling on their way to study in Athens ( 雅典雅典 ). ). A wicked innkeeper (A wicked innkeeper ( 旅馆主人旅馆主人 ) robbed and murdered t) robbed and murdered them, hiding their remains (hem, hiding their remains ( 遗体遗体 ) in a large pickling tub. ) in a large pickling tub. It so happened that Bishop Nicholas, traveling along the sIt so happened that Bishop Nicholas, traveling along the same route, stopped at this very inn. In the night, he dreamame route, stopped at this very inn. In the night, he dreamed of the crime, got up, and summoned the innkeeper. As ed of the crime, got up, and summoned the innkeeper. As Nicholas prayed earnestly to God, the three boys were resNicholas prayed earnestly to God, the three boys were restored to life and wholeness. In France, the story is told of tored to life and wholeness. In France, the story is told of three small children, wandering in their play until lost, lurthree small children, wandering in their play until lost, lured, and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears ed, and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears and appeals to God to return them to life and to their famiand appeals to God to return them to life and to their families. And so St. Nicholas is the patron (lies. And so St. Nicholas is the patron ( 庇护人庇护人 ) and prot) and protector of children.ector of children.

Reading MoreReading More

Questions and Answers:Questions and Answers:

Direction: Answer the following questions according to tDirection: Answer the following questions according to the text.he text.

1. How do people celebrate Christmas in the West?1. How do people celebrate Christmas in the West?

2. Who decided the date of Christmas?2. Who decided the date of Christmas?

3. How many cards do Americans send every year?3. How many cards do Americans send every year?

4. Why does Father Christmas put presents in stockings inste4. Why does Father Christmas put presents in stockings instead of other places?ad of other places?

Intensive ReadingIntensive Reading

1.the very word “Christmas” brings warmth and joy to their 1.the very word “Christmas” brings warmth and joy to their hearts and homes.(para.1)hearts and homes.(para.1)

2. Here is a brief history of Christmas and some of the traditi2. Here is a brief history of Christmas and some of the traditions connected with it.(para.1)ons connected with it.(para.1)

3. 3. Christmas was not celebrated Christmas was not celebrated at allat all. (para.3). (para.3)

4. Pope Julius selected December 25th as the day on which t4. Pope Julius selected December 25th as the day on which to celebrate Christ’s birth. (para.3)o celebrate Christ’s birth. (para.3)

5. Many modern Christmas customs, such as having a tree in 5. Many modern Christmas customs, such as having a tree in the house and preparing special meals, came from this ancthe house and preparing special meals, came from this ancient celebration.(para.3)ient celebration.(para.3)

6. there was a popular theater play which included a fir tree 6. there was a popular theater play which included a fir tree hung with apples.(para.5)hung with apples.(para.5)

7. Today, Americans exchange millions of Christmas cards 7. Today, Americans exchange millions of Christmas cards every year.(para.7)every year.(para.7)

8.He was widely known as a kind man who loved children.8.He was widely known as a kind man who loved children.(para.9)(para.9)

9. a story developed that he used to visit children on Christm9. a story developed that he used to visit children on Christmas Eve and give them presents. (para.9)as Eve and give them presents. (para.9)

the very + NP. the very + NP. 正是，恰好是正是，恰好是

e.g. e.g. 1. 1. 那对双胞胎就读于同一所学校。那对双胞胎就读于同一所学校。The twins attend the very same school.

2. 2. 这正是他想要的书。这正是他想要的书。This is the very book that he wants.

Here is… Here is… 引导词 引导词 + + 谓语 谓语 + + n.n. 主语主语 cf. cf. 引导词 引导词 + + pron.pron. 主语 主语 + + 谓语谓语

e.g.e.g.

公共汽车来了。公共汽车来了。 / / 铃响了铃响了- Here comes the bus./ There goes the bell.- Here it comes. / There it goes.cf. The bus [It] is coming./ The bell [It] is ringing.

connected with it = linked/ tied to it connected with it = linked/ tied to it 与之有关的。过去分词短语，此处作定语。与之有关的。过去分词短语，此处作定语。

Practice:Practice:

Change the simple sentence into a complex sentence.

Here is a brief history of Christmas and some of the trad

itions _ that are_ connected with it.

not… at all/ not at all… not… at all/ not at all… 完全（根本）不完全（根本）不 ············at all at all 在否定句、疑问句和条件状语从句中用来加强语在否定句、疑问句和条件状语从句中用来加强语气。气。

e.g.e.g.

1.1. 你真的很想做吗？你真的很想做吗？Do you want to do it at all?

2.2. 他根本不想做这事。他根本不想做这事。He doesn’t want to do it at all.3.3. 你若真的很想做，就尽力干好。你若真的很想做，就尽力干好。If you want to do it at all, try your best.

on which to celebrate Christ’s birth: on which to celebrate Christ’s birth: 正式文体，不定正式文体，不定式前带介词短语式前带介词短语 on whichon which ；在非正式文体中，可以省去。；在非正式文体中，可以省去。

e.g.

1. 父母已经为他们选好婚礼的日子。 Their parents have selected the day (on which) to hold

their wedding.

2. 他们已经确定了下届省运会的日期。 They have decided on the date (on which) to hold the

next Provincial Games.

such as such as 例如，诸如。例如，诸如。 such as, like (such as, like ( 像像 ) ) 和 和 including including 后接 后接 n.n. 或 或 vv-ing -ing 式。式。

Practice:Practice:1. She helps Mother do many things, such as___the yard.1. She helps Mother do many things, such as___the yard.

A.sweep B.swept C.sweeping D.to sweepA.sweep B.swept C.sweeping D.to sweep

2. Her job as a secretary is busy, including ___letters for the 2. Her job as a secretary is busy, including ___letters for the manager.manager.

A.typeA.type B.to type C.typed B.to type C.typed D.typing D.typing

hung with apples hung with apples 挂着苹果。此处过去分词短语作定语。挂着苹果。此处过去分词短语作定语。

e.g. A theater play included a fir tree hung with apples.

剧中有棵杉树，上面挂着苹果。

Rewrite the sentence, changing the past participial phrase Rewrite the sentence, changing the past participial phrase into a relative clause .into a relative clause .

e.g.e.g. A theater play included a fir tree A theater play included a fir tree which/that was hung hung

with apples.with apples.

eexchange = trade xchange = trade 交换；调换交换；调换cf. replace/substitute/exchange x for y [y with x] cf. replace/substitute/exchange x for y [y with x] vt.vt. 代替代替

e.g.e.g.

1. 1. 我用篮球换他的足球。我用篮球换他的足球。 I exchanged/traded my basketball for his football. [his football with my basketball].

2. 2. 你认为用圆珠笔代替钢笔好吗？你认为用圆珠笔代替钢笔好吗？ Do you consider it good to replace/substitute ball-pens fo

r pens ?

[pens with ball-pens]?

be known as + NP. be known as + NP. 以以 ············ 知名；被认为是；称为知名；被认为是；称为 , , 叫叫做做

e.g. He was widely known as a kind man. 他因心地善良而广为人知。

His father was already well known as a film star by the age of six.

他的父亲在他的父亲在 66 岁时就已经是著名的电影童星了。岁时就已经是著名的电影童星了。

A story developed that he used to give children presents on Christmas Eve. 据传，他经常在平安夜给孩子们送礼物。“ A story developed that” 可用“ As the story goes,” 或“ As it is said,” 代替。

e.g.e.g.

1. 据传，她活着时经常帮助有困难的人们。 The story developed that when (she was) alive, she used t

o help people in difficulty.

2. 据传，那次地震夺去了那个城市大多数人的生命。 As the story goes, most of the people in that city were kill

ed in the earthquake.

used toused to 和 和 would would ( ( 过去过去 ) ) 经常。经常。used to used to 表示现在不再这样，表示现在不再这样， wouldwould 没这样的含义。若没没这样的含义。若没有次数或频率，则用一般过去时。有次数或频率，则用一般过去时。cf. be/get used/accustomed to doing sth. cf. be/get used/accustomed to doing sth. 对对 ············ 习以为常。习以为常。

e.g.

He used to visit children.

他过去经常去看望孩子们。

She used to go to work by bike, but now, she goes by tube.

以前她骑自行车上班，现在坐地铁去。

Testing YourselfTesting Yourself

I. Choose the best choice for each item.

1. A lorry driver’s job involves _ 1. A lorry driver’s job involves _ C_ away from home for d_ away from home for days.ays.

A.be B.to beA.be B.to be C.being C.being D.been D.been

2. It is something _ 2. It is something _ B is very important to a mastery of Englis very important to a mastery of English.ish.

A.what B.that C.whichA.what B.that C.which D.how D.how

3. The little boy wants _ 3. The little boy wants _ A his elder brothers ___ the game. his elder brothers ___ the game.

A.to join…in B.join…in C.to join…/ D.joining…/A.to join…in B.join…in C.to join…/ D.joining…/

4. Every New Year’s Eve, _ 4. Every New Year’s Eve, _ D _ people gather there._ people gather there.

A. thousandA. thousand B. thousand of B. thousand of C. thousandsC. thousands D. thousands of D. thousands of

5. When the film ended, the lights lit _ 5. When the film ended, the lights lit _ B in the cinema.in the cinema.

A. onA. on B. up B. up C. downC. down D. in D. in

6. The 2008 Olympic Games will _ 6. The 2008 Olympic Games will _ A in the Chinese capita in the Chinese capita

l, Beijing.l, Beijing.

A. take placeA. take place B. take the placeB. take the place

C. be taken placeC. be taken place D. holdD. hold

7. The two sisters have a lot _ 7. The two sisters have a lot _ C common. common.

A. onA. on B. at B. at C. inC. in D. of D. of

8. The Spring _8. The Spring _D _ is the most important holiday in China a_ is the most important holiday in China a

s well as many other Asian countries.s well as many other Asian countries.

A. Day B. Holiday C. EveA. Day B. Holiday C. Eve D. Festival D. Festival

II. Choose the best choice for each item.

1. You are _ 1. You are _ B_person whom I wanted to see._person whom I wanted to see.

A. very B. the veryA. very B. the very C. quite D.quite the C. quite D.quite the

2. Here _ 2. Here _ C __

A. a letter is for youA. a letter is for you B. a letter for you is B. a letter for you is

C. is a letter for youC. is a letter for you D. for you is a letter D. for you is a letter

3. She doesn’t like that subject _ 3. She doesn’t like that subject _ D __

A. allA. all B. very B. very C. many C. many D. at all D. at all

4. Table tennis is the _ 4. Table tennis is the _ A _ event for many people here._ event for many people here.

A. favoredA. favored B. favorit B. favorit

C. favouringC. favouring D. favor D. favor

5. Her job includes 5. Her job includes _ _ A _ for you._ for you.

A. cookingA. cooking B. cook C. cooked D. cooksB. cook C. cooked D. cooks

6. Their newly designed goods caught _ 6. Their newly designed goods caught _ D __ very soon. very soon.

A. in B. atA. in B. at C. out C. out D. onD. on

7. The boy exchanged a pear _ 7. The boy exchanged a pear _ B _ the girl’s apple._ the girl’s apple.

A. with B. forA. with B. for C. to C. to D. in D. in

8. He was deeply _8. He was deeply _C _ debt as a young man._ debt as a young man.

A. atA. at B. on B. on C. in C. in D. to D. to

The End

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