本集介紹

Gifts Giving from Santa Claus 聖誕老人送禮物
「聖誕老人」此一神秘人物，帶給小孩子們禮物的概念，衍生自4世紀生活在土耳其的主教聖尼古拉。北美洲，荷蘭和英國，把這一傳統，融入聖誕節日的慶祝，荷蘭語的聖尼古拉，傳進英語，成為「Santa Claus」。在英裔美國人的傳統中，聖誕老人總是快活的在聖誕前夜，乘著馴鹿拉的雪橇到來，他從煙囪爬進屋內，留下給孩子們的禮物，並吃掉孩子們為他留下的食物。聖誕季期間，在美國和英國的很多超市裏，都有小孩可以向其要禮物的「聖誕老人」出現。現今，
在許多國家裡，聖誕節前夕，孩子們會準備好空的容器，或在壁爐上懸掛聖誕襪，以便聖誕老人可以裝進一些小禮物，如玩具或糖果等。聖誕節（Christmas）的日期是每年12月25日。天主教教徒會在12月24日的平安夜（Christmas Eve），舉行子夜彌撒，慶祝耶穌的誕生。基督教徒會舉辦聖誕感恩禮拜，慶祝這個重要的節日。聖誕節（Christmas），又稱耶誕節，起源與基督教有關，主要是基督教紀念，和慶祝耶穌的誕生。耶穌誕生的故事充滿異象，是因上帝為體恤人們，拯救苦難，而差遣耶穌來到世上。為了紀念與表達對耶穌的敬愛，便開始慶祝聖誕節。聖誕老人(Santa Claus)的傳說，可以追溯到千年前。當時有位樂善好施的紅衣主教叫聖尼古拉，他經常行善，幫助許多貧困家庭。有一次，聖尼古拉遇到了一位即將遭到變賣的貧困女子，他藉由在夜晚時間，爬上他們的屋頂，將帶來的金幣，往煙囪丟進去，這些金幣剛好掉進掛在壁爐旁的襪子裡，從此之後，就逐漸衍生出聖誕老人從煙囪爬進房子，將禮物放在聖誕襪的由來。吃聖誕大餐，是聖誕節的重頭戲，這天是家人親友團聚歡度時光、分享美食的重大日子，象徵著愛和溫馨的聖誕大餐，每年不變。和家人、朋友和情侶間交換禮物，有著分享喜悅的含義，透過精心挑選禮物，傳達更多的關愛和關心。聖誕卡片的故事，可以追溯到19世紀初的英格蘭。當時英國藝術家約翰·赫斯基斯(John Horsley)，設計了一張描繪著歡慶的場景，並附有祝福詞句的聖誕卡片，這被視為聖誕卡片的開端。後來，聖誕卡片的設計變得多元，也成為互相關懷、表達祝福的習俗。
送禮是人與人用來表達心意的一種方式，而禮物是主要關鍵，不需要太貴，也不用很頂級。俗話說：「千里送鵝毛，禮輕情意重。」我們收到禮物時，要抱持著感恩的心，生在福中很幸福！「禮物運動」是從史賓賽．強森博士著作《禮物》得到的靈感，書中年輕人用盡方法，四處探尋，渴望找到老人所說能讓他快樂的「禮物」。直到有一天，年輕人決定暫時放下這一切，不再汲汲營營地盲目追尋，他才赫然發現，那份禮物，原來一直就在他的身邊，就在當下。我們每一天，都可以得到禮物，也可以當個送禮物的人。一句問候、一句讚美、一句關心的話語，都可以是禮物，在簡單的語言之間，送禮物的動作已經完成了。面對挫折、挑戰與困境，也只需要換個心境，抱持著「一切都是好極了」的心態，以積極的思路，去解決問題，逆境也是一份禮物。只要我們的眼睛，都看見美好的、能給生命帶來光明快樂的東西。每一天，我們都會從「聖誕老人」手中，得到最美好的禮物。
Santa Claus is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man, often with spectacles, wearing a red coat with white fur collar, and a red hat trimmed with white fur, carrying a bag full of gifts for children. He is popularly associated with a deep, hearty laugh. Santa Claus strives to find a way to bring joy into the lives of all children all over the world, and eventually invents toys for them. Santa Claus is really the cultural icon who is all about peace, joy, giving, and caring for people. Children sometimes write letters to Santa Claus, with a wish list of presents that they wish to receive. Right now, writing letters to Santa Claus has the educational benefits of promoting literacy, computer literacy, and e-mail literacy. A letter to Santa is often a child’s first experience of correspondence. Santa Claus is an iconic figure in popular culture that has been celebrated for generations. He is best known for delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve, often coming down chimneys and leaving presents in stockings hung by the fireplace. He is associated with joy, generosity and kindness and symbolizes the spirit of giving. Santa Claus is also seen as a symbol of hope, which makes him more important during times of difficulty or distress. He appears in Christmas stories as an example of how to remain positive and generous despite adversity. Santa Claus reminds us that it is possible to make miracles happen if we come together and put our faith in the spirit of goodwill and kindness. In today’s modern world, Santa Claus has become a symbol of Christmas cheer and family fun, bringing joy to children and adults alike. Every year, children still write to Santa Claus sharing their Christmas wishes and dreams. These letters are filled with joy and optimism, and they serve as a reminder of the magic that Santa Claus brings to Christmas. Santa Claus, now, is an iconic and beloved figure that has become an important part of Christmas traditions around the world. His image has been embraced with his superb spirit to evoke feelings of peace, hope, joy and generosity in people of all ages and backgrounds.

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