Good afternoon, dear teachers and friends!
I' m happy to make a speech here. Thank you for your coming. Now, the topicfor my speech today is “Western Festivals.” I would like to talk aboutChristmas.
Christmas is originally a Christian festival, as you can see from theformation of this word, “Christ-mas.” The first part of the word refers to JesusChrist, and the second part “mas” comes from the word “mass,” referring to amain religious ceremony in some Christian churches. At first, it was celebratedfor the birth of Jesus Christ. Nowadays, although some churches still observethis festival for its religious reason, for most people, including Chinesepeople, Christmas has already become a day of secular celebrations, when peopleexchange greetings and gifts. However, it is still a biggest festival in theWest. It is as important to the Westerners as the Spring Festival is to theChinese people.
Christmas day is on the 25th of December, and Christmas Eve is of coursethe evening of the previous day, the 24th December.
Christmas holiday usually lasts for two weeks, during which most schoolshave a Christmas break. Many families put the Christmas tree in their house, andhang many decorations on the tree. Under the tree, they usually place manyChristmas presents. Giving out presents and receiving presents are what kidslike best about this festival.
On Christmas Eve, kids would put stockings at the end of their bed, wishingthe Santa Claus would come and give them presents.
As to the tradition of giving and receiving presents in Christmas, I thinkit has something to do with the nativity story. In the nativity story, on thebirthday of baby Jesus, there was a bright star shining in the East. There werethree kings in the East who saw the star, and they followed the star all the wayto Bethlehem where the star stopped. They came to a manger where baby Jesus waslying. They worshiped the little baby and gave him presents. I think this is abeautiful story. It shows a spirit of sharing and love.
I like Christmas for the presents kids will receive and for its lovelystory.
Thank you very much!
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