中国新年和美国圣诞节对比作文合集20篇

春节是中国传统节日。我们也把它称为春节。它是在农历一月一日。

在除夕，所有的人都坐在桌子上，有一个大家庭的晚餐。有一些蔬菜，一些鱼，一些肉，一些水果和一些饮料，如果汁，可乐，百事可乐和一些好的葡萄酒。总体而言，这是一个很好的和美味的晚餐。晚饭后，我们总是看电视新年节目。我们有一个美好的夜晚在除夕。

春节的第一天，大多数人都起得很早，说“新年快乐”。早餐，人们经常吃饺子和包子。早餐后，人们经常做很多好吃的食物，孩子们经常玩扑克牌，电脑游戏和烟花。在第三天，我们拜访朋友和亲戚。

每个人都在忙着过年，每个人都很开心。

新年是人人都盼望的节日，新年也是合家团聚，共叙美好生活的日子。我天天都盼望新年的到来，终于在无数次焦急等待中把新年给盼来了。

大年三十的傍晚，周围已是一片火红的世界，家家户户都挂起了灯笼，放起了鞭炮，鞭炮声时近时远。我们家也按捺不住，在路边放了起来。

到了晚上，小镇更是热闹非凡。伴着“噼里啪啦”的鞭炮声，天空中时不时地绽放出了一朵朵美丽的烟花。这种红色的烟花像红透了的苹果在高空开心地笑，又像喝醉酒的老爷爷，脸上涨溢出光与彩;那种彩色的烟花，像一只只翩翩起舞的蝴蝶在天空中舞蹈，又像一朵朵鲜艳的花朵在空中华丽的绽放;那种繁花点点的烟花，像天上无数颗星星在顽皮地眨着眼，又像是早晨的露珠一样晶莹剔透，在预示着来年那美好的时光……

看到如此美丽的烟花，我立刻让爸爸拿出烟花出来放。爸爸点上火，过了一会，“砰”的一声，一个烟火飞上了，立刻绽放在天空中。我们家的烟花是蓝色，绽放时就像一朵朵傲放于美丽夜色中的勿忘我，它们在高空中短暂地停留，然后又点点洒向人间，就像那天空中无数的小雨点在欢声笑语。比起别人家美丽的烟花，我觉得烟花更美丽，更漂亮，一点儿也不比别人家的逊色。因为在这绚烂的烟火中，融映着我和爸爸的微笑、期待，一幅其乐融融的父子图，加上这绝美的烟花，不能不说是除夕夜的神来之笔。

之后，爸爸又放起了鞭炮，鞭炮“噼里啪啦”地响着，预示着喜庆和欢乐，预示着新一年的到来。我的心里也如这鞭炮，充满了激动与快乐。

新的一年就在这片欢乐气氛中缓缓降临……

新年又称大年初一，是我国最隆重的节日。在那天，人们载歌载舞，尽情欢呼，什么 耍龙灯.扭秧歌.放鞭炮等等等等，好不热闹。

节前

新年这股暖风即将吹来，这时家家户户都搞起了“装修运动”。所谓“装修运动”不过是把家里打扮一下，好迎接新年。啊!还听不懂?“装修运动”就是贴春联.福字.门神等。看着邻居家“装修”得花花绿绿，我们家不甘示弱，也开始了“装修”。可是老天却非要和我们作对，他派“风老大”来到乱。一会儿他来“偷”对联;一会儿“拿”尘土“攻击”我们;一会儿她又来“捉”横披······几经周折，“装修运动”走算是结束了。走进我家一看，大脑里的词语都净化了，只剩下一个字：红。

节时

“噼哩啪啦，噼哩啪啦。”我被一阵阵莫名奇妙的声音惊醒了，开始我还以为是闹钟，心想：“今天怎么试这铃!”睁眼才反应过来，今天是新年，那声音是烟花爆竹声。

吃完早饭，我和弟弟就迫不及待的起程了。去干什么?当然是去拜年了!说一句辞旧迎新的吉利话，还会有不小的“收获”呢!“我长大了，压岁钱不要了!”见一位Aunt要给我钱，我连忙表示不要了。哪知他却说：“长大啦?好呀!再来10元!”新年这天，家家户户披红挂绿;“噼哩啪啦，噼哩啪啦”烟花爆竹声不断;节目也开始啦!今天的空气中除了节味儿，就是年味儿!

节后

新年这股暖风来得快，走得也快。新年虽然已过，但余波仍然存在。节时的那股年味还未散尽，但新的太阳已经升起，面对我们的是新的一天。

新年，它让我知道了自己又长了一岁，责任又多了一成。新年新气象;新年新挑战;希望在牛年里我会“更牛“!

每当我看到人们过新年那喜洋洋的照片和节目时，我都会不由自主的想起今年初五我干的一件“傻事”。

初五时不仅要吃饺子，而且饺子里还要包上钱、枣、糖，每样包6个。意思是：如果吃到带钱的饺子，这一年就会发财，如果吃到带枣的饺子，就会好运早来;如吃到带糖的饺子，这一年就会过的“甜甜蜜蜜”，一家人和和睦睦。6是吉祥的数字。虽然这只是人们对新年的期望，但我们家还是继承了这种传统。

初五晚上，我们吃起了饺子。爸爸在吃第一个饺子时，只听“咯噔”一声，第一个钱被爸爸吃着了，他露出了得意地笑容。这时，妈妈也学着爸爸的样子说：“你猜这个饺子里有没有东西?”我想：妈妈一向爱开玩笑。自信地说：“没有!”结果第一块糖又被妈妈吃着了。现在就我还没有吃着东西呢!我非常着急。

最后，我吃了很多饺子，吃出了3块糖，妈妈吃了15个饺子，吃了2个钱，3块糖，爸爸吃了30个饺子，吃出了4个钱，3块糖和3个枣，现在只剩下了一些个饺子，我不甘心落后想：剩下饺子里肯定还有三个枣子，虽然，我已经吃的很饱了，但还是抵不住枣饺子的诱惑。我揉了揉肚子，又吃了两个饺子，可还是没有吃到枣。我看了看爸爸和妈妈，他们悠闲的吃着别的菜，好像并不在乎我是否把剩下的枣子什么的吃出来。

我不管那么多，又吃了几个饺子，还是没有吃到枣子。我开始怀疑他们是不是已经把剩下的枣子吃出来了?我看了看他们的“战利品”没有多呀?就在这时他们不约而同的来夹剩下的饺子，我想：这最后的枣子，一定就在这三个饺子里!我连忙拿起筷子夹起这三个饺子就往嘴里送，一咬，怎么一个枣也没有。这时，爸爸笑着说：“厨房里还有一盘饺子没煮呢。”我跑到厨房一看，果然，我后悔不已，还有饺子没煮呢。

每当我想起这件事，我就会时刻提醒自己，无论干什么事都要考虑周到，不要盲目行事。

新年是全美各州一致庆祝的主要节日，美国人过新年，最热闹的是除夕晚上。是夜，人们聚集在教堂、街头或广场，唱诗、祈祷、祝福、忏悔，并一同迎候那除旧更新的一瞬，午夜12点，全国教堂钟声齐鸣，乐队高奏著名的怀旧歌曲《一路平安》。在音乐声中，激动的人们拥抱在一起，怀着惜别的感伤和对新生活的向往共同迎来新的一年。

新年在美国并不是最热闹的节日，但仍有不少盛大的庆祝活动，加利福尼亚州的玫瑰花会是美国规模最大的新年盛典，届时用鲜花特别是玫瑰花扎成的彩车绵延数英里，车上摆满鲜花做的各种模型，不仅吸引加州的男女老少簇拥街头，而且还吸引着上百万电视观众。在费城，有举行化装游行的传统，参加游行的人们，有的装扮成小丑，有的装扮成妇女（按照古老的习俗，这个游行不允许女人参加），随着彩车载歌载舞，热闹非凡。

美国人还有一个有意思的习惯，就是在新年许愿立志，他们称之为“新年决心”。这决心通常不是什么宏图大志，而是一些朴实而实际的打算，例如“我一定戒烟”、“我要好好对待邻居”等等，他们总是坦率地讲给大家听，以期得到监督和鼓励。

据说美国的印第安人也有独特的新年习俗，每到除夕之夜，他们就举行富有特色的篝火晚会，一家人围在篝 火旁边，载歌载舞。待至晨曦微露，他们就把破旧衣物付之一炬，作为除旧迎新的象征。

It is the day that the families get together.

The spring festival is usually in the February ,sometimes in January.In the spring festival,every family all paste the lucky inscriptions,they fire the cracker,they eat the dumplings.The day before the new years first day is the new years eve,same as the christmas eve,all the families get together to have the new yaars dinner,wishes each other,talk about the wishes about the new year.Small children will receive the money given to children as a lunar new year gift.

Spring Festival is the most important festival in China .It’s to celebrate the lunar calendar ‘s New year .In the evening before the Spring Festival ,families get together and have a big meal .In many places people like to set off firecrackers .Dumplings are the most traditional food .Children like the festival very much ,because they can have delicious food and wear new clothes .

They can also get some money from their parents. This money is given to children for good luck . People put New Year scrolls on the wall for good fortune .

The Spring Festival lasts about 15 days long .People visit relatives and friends with the words “Have all your wishes ”. People enjoy the Spring Festival ,during this time they can have a good rest .

Chinese New year is a chinese traditional festival. We also call it the spring festival. It is on lunar january 1st.

On New year’s eve, all the people sit around the desk and have a big family dinner. There are some vegetables, some fish, some meat, some fruits and some drink like juice, coke, pepsi and some nice wine. Overall, this is a good and delicious dinner. After dinner, we always watch tv New year progammes. We have a wonderful evening on New year’s eve.

On the first day of the spring festival, most of people get up early and say “happy New year” to each other. for breakfast, people often eat dumplings and baozi. After breakfast, people often make many delicious foods, and children often play cards, computer games and fireworks. On the second and third day, we visit friends and relatives.

Everyone is busy on chinese New year, and everyone is happy, too.

I like the new year, people in the Spring Festival, the spring festival couplet, watch the Spring Festival Gala, set off firecrackers, fireworks, eating hot pot … … new year is really lively!

To thirty in the big year, after eating the rich years night meal, it is time to see the Spring Festival evening. The Spring Festival Gala began, and the family gathered in front of the TV punctually, concentrating on their faces, hum and mouth dancing from time to time. The evening shows are colorful, with cross talk, sketches, singing, dancing and magic … … every program wins everyones compliments, cheers and laughter. At the end of the party, the host shouted: “ ten, nine, eight … … two, a ” the new year began.

New years first day, often to go out to play. Our family came to the busiest place in Putian, — — the pedestrian street, the “ the ground Avenue ” Then he went to Putian, one of the famous places of interest “ Lantau Peak Park ” the time tunnel, the ice carving, the enjoyment of the food … … have fun.

The first two often do not go out, so only “ nest ” at home, do homework, watch TV … …

The next few days, in addition to new years day. The remaining few days to go to visit our relatives, relatives, eat dinner together tonight. If you have time to go shopping together, pick up some new clothes, buy some special purchases for the Spring Festival … …

The new year day is very busy, at night, eating while watching tv. My evening meal is more abundant than on the thirty from the 6. At the beginning of 7, you usually have to eat 8. The 9 point is enough. That is, at 8, many people celebrate this special festival with fireworks and firecrackers. The fireworks are simply flying all over the sky, and the sky is decorated with colorful and colorful.

The new year is a lot of fun, a lot of good-looking, and a lot of delicious food.

“ the new year is coming! ” “ new years coming! ”. The new year dolls have come to the world and offer the most heartfelt blessing to people. Let people be happier in the New Year! A year is better than a year!

Look, that blue sky suddenly become fiery red, red was bursting with happiness taste, people look really happy ah! At that time, the asphalt road also turned into a gorgeous carpet. With flowers on both sides of the carpet and walking on it, there really felt a sense of fairyland. The world suddenly became a paradise. People have also hung a big red lantern in front of the door, a row of neat rows, red and red fire, beautiful!

Listen, &ldquo came from far away; new years song ” people listened as if they were intoxicated, instead of being intoxicated in this song, but intoxicated in the fairyland of this world. Red sky, the land of colorful, festive lanterns, a new song “ ”, is a fine scenery!

People put on their new clothes, with a happy smile on their faces. They go from house to house, bless each other, very festive.

But, in this celebration, is everyone so carefree? New years baby to see, many Zaihuan survived in the poor people, and like other people have to eat and drink, as well as new clothes, they are still living in suffer hunger and cold. The new year babys tears fell a drop of truth, the tears drift to the disaster area, poor in an instant, the victims have also lived a wonderfull life, no longer have sorrow and pain on their faces, happiness and comfort instead. The new year dolls show a lovely smile and leave quietly.

New years new year dolls give a precious gift for the new year, not only a good blessing, but also a good life for the victims of the disaster. It has gone, but its blessings remain in the hearts of people forever. “ give, always happier than take. ” as long as everyone gives a little love and extends their loving hands to help those who need help, the world will be filled with laughter, happiness and light everywhere.

Chinese New Year is a Chinese traditional festival. We also call it the Spring Festival. It is on lunar January 1st.

On New Year’s Eve, all the people sit around the desk and have a big family dinner. There are some vegetables, some fish, some meat, some fruits and some drink like juice, Coke, Pepsi and some nice wine. Overall, this is a good and delicious dinner. After dinner, we always watch TV New Year progammes. We have a wonderful evening on New Year’s Eve.On the first day of the Spring Festival, most of people get up early and say “happy new year” to each other. For breakfast, people often eat dumplings and baozi. After breakfast, people often make many delicious foods, and children often play cards, computer games and fireworks. On the second and third day, we visit friends and relatives.

Everyone is busy on Chinese New Year, and everyone is happy, too.

The Spring Festival is still the most solemn festival of the year. On New Years Eve, Gao Ju, a young generation after generation of descendants. My grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, three generations of four generations to eat the dinner on New Years Eve in flourishing lively atmosphere, this is the Chinese family once a year reunion, is the happiest moment in life. With the change of social life environment, peoples consciousness has changed with the times. A change in his parents said the old customs, generally is the Chinese clothing, leaving thick seam, the oldest door to the strange phenomenon of children. In the big environment of todays society, leaving home to go to a foreign country to work is the most common in the real life. Young people and the ability to work, over the years are Chuaizhuo good dreams, left his wife and child care have left growing home, set foot on the front of the unknown journey in a strange land, hard life on the way to work towards. Happiness is a distant dream of this generation of people, and it is not easy to see it.

The new year is the new years Eve, and the new years Eve is over, and the new year begins again. One year cycle, every year at the end of the Spring Festival approaching, crowds of people from all over the country back to their hometown, streams of people busily coming and going. The annual migration of hundreds of millions of people, the train plane is difficult to find one ticket, is a great spectacle in the world. The new year is an ingrained custom in the heart of the outside. Chinese the traditional culture of "filial piety", "Pepsi to remote distance, as long as the old man, rushing home to the new year is Chinese eternal knot. The Chinese nation culture in the end is actually a "filial piety", visit the elderly, serve the elderly, regardless of the money, whether rich or poor, the new year is sure to go home. With a grateful heart, eager to have their own home, nestled in the parents side. It is a definition of "happiness" for the Chinese people to honor the old man, accept the solemn blessing of the elders and the solemn ceremony of the family sacrifice and praying for the blessing. In the way, tired embarrassed in the cause of hardships, a life of sadness...... All vanished in the celebration of the reunion of the evening dinner.

"A suichu fireworks, energy-saving". Over the years, you are a month early in the morning, open the door, ushered in the new years people satisfied customers, friends and family visit on families and greet the year, firecrackers blessing xiangyingjiaohui, go out to play all refreshed. Home tired, over the past year in work life swept away the haze. This is the Chinese in the Spring Festival.

Any time to steal, steal, steal the cause of love to treasure, hidden parts, the Pentium, the Spring Festival, the dream and the development of a new hope.

I like Chinese New Year very much.I can meet many many friends in my family.I like them very much.We sit together to have dinner,I like the food,its very nice.

Do you know what is lucky money?It is the money children get from aunt and uncles,grandpa grandma.Ive got a lot this year!

I love Chinese New Year.I hope you will like it too.

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.

在美国许多的写作考试中TOEFL写作是相对容易的。因为它的作文题本身非常简单，看到一个作文题你几乎就知道该怎么写。而GRE作文就相对复杂了。GRE作文方式永远是两种态度，两种方式让你选择。它永远是有对照性的。

TOEFL作文考：吃饭是在家里吃好，还是到饭店里吃好 GMAT考和商业有关的：产品制造出来是延续时间很长的好，还是延续时间不太长的好GRE作文：在我们这个社会中间，现在专业人士太多了，而有综合知识的人太少了。你认为我们是更需要具有专业知识的人呢，还是需要具有广博知识的人?

TOEFL考生活、学习;GRE 考日常学术行为。但是不管它出什么题目，总是会摆出两种态度供你选择。另外，GRE的作文题目是提前发给你的，考试时出的题目绝不会超出它事先发给你的题目。它决不会出让学生看不懂的题目。所出的题目永远是世界性的，不涉及民族、宗教、政治色彩。

考察普林斯顿所出的全部范文后发现，美国人百分之七八十喜欢倾向于一种模式。讨论在哪里吃的问题时，要不在家里吃，要不在饭店吃，但是你不要又想在家里，又想在饭店。

当然他们也比较认可中间的态度，也就是说，我既要A又要B，我是A和B结合起来产生C。事实上，好多中国学生结合 A、B写是能写出好分数的。当然也有些题目是没有C这种态度的。

In Boston,carol singing festivities are famous.The singers are accompanied by hand bells.

In New Orleans,a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.

In Arizona,the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up.This is a ritual procession and play representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn.Families play the parts and visit each others houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and,at the same time,having a look at each familys crib.

In Hawaii,Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship,which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare.Santa Claus also arrives by boat.

In California,Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.

In America the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces.For dessert it is rich,fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.Mince pies,pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.

The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits.For many,the day begins on Christmas Eve with the Midnight Mass.At Christmas it snows in many states,so dinner is usually eaten indoors.Dinner usually is roast turkey,goose,duck or ham served with cranberry sauce,then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.

the name christmas is short for "christs mass". a mass is a kind of church service. christmas is a religious festival. it is the day we cele

ate as the birthday of jesus. there are special christmas services in christian churches all over the world. but many of the festivities of christmas do not have anything to do with religion. exchanging gifts and sending christmas cards are the modern ways of celeating the christmas in the world.

the birth of jesus had a story: in nazareth, a city of galilee. the virgins name was mary was betrothed to joseph. before they came together, she was found with child of the holy spirit. joseph her husband was minded to put her away secretly. while he thought about these things, gaiel, an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and told him did not be afraid to take mary as wife. and mary willing forth a son, and he shall call his name, jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

before jesus births, joseph and mary came to quirnius was governing syria. so all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. joseph also went up out of galilee, out of the city of nazareth, into judea, to the city of david, which is called bethlehem, because he was of the house and of the lineage of david, to be registered with mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. so it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to bedelivered. and sheought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Santa Claus was born in US in the 1860s he was named this as he had a white beard and a belly,so he was named Santa Claus as this was the Dutch word for St Nicholas,Sintaklaas.Although the Dutch had bought him with them in the 17th century,he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809.This first Santa Claus was still known as St.Nicholas,he did smoke a pipe,and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer,but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole,he did however bring presents to children every year.

In 1863 He was given the name Santa Claus and bore the red suit,pipe,and his reindeer and sleigh.

Now Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States,because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.

In Pennsylvania,the Moravians build a landscape,called a putz - under the Christmas tree,while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle,who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.

Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States.Many settled in the early days in the South,these settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbors by shooting firearms and letting off fireworks.In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies,Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.

In Alaska,a star on a pole is taken from door to door,followed by Herods Men,who try to capture the star.Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple,a symbol of hospitality.

In Alaska,boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from door to door.They sing carols and are invited in for supper.

圣诞节是西方的节日，在中国也是一个外来事物，习俗主要是西方的。

圣诞节主要有以下特色：

圣诞色

红、绿、白三色为圣诞色，圣诞节来临时家家户户都要用圣诞色来装饰。红色的有圣诞花和圣诞蜡烛，绿色的是圣诞树，它是圣诞节的主要装饰品。

圣诞老人

他是圣诞节活动中最受的人物。西方儿童在圣诞夜临睡之前，要在壁炉前或枕头旁放上一只袜子，等候圣诞老人在他们入睡后把礼物放在袜子内。在西方，扮演圣诞老人也是一种习俗。

圣诞树

圣诞树是圣诞节中最有名的传统之一。通常人们在圣诞前后把一棵常绿植物如松树弄进屋里或者在户外，并用圣诞灯和彩色的装饰物装饰，并把一个天使或星星放在树的顶上。

圣诞袜

圣诞袜最早以前是一对红色的大袜子，大小不拘。因为圣诞袜是要用来装礼物的，所以是小朋友最喜欢的东西，晚上他们会将自己的袜子挂在床边，等待第二天早上收礼。

[中国圣诞节习俗的作文

"We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas"Have you heard that song? Yup! Its Christmas time! This Christmas, I stayed with my "host family"1. It was an amazing experience to see how a typical American family would celebrate the biggest western festival of the year.

Christmas, like our Spring Festival, has a meaning in itself. Christmas Day, which is on December 25, is the birthday of Jesus Christ--the son of God. Thats why it is called Christmas. On that day, Christians would get together with their families to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. But nowadays, the religious meaning of Christmas has become less emphasized. To many families, it is just a time of family reunion and the ever-exciting present-giving.

Our school had been on winter vacation since December 11. I stayed at my friend, Stephen Stapczynskis house--his family was my "host family". Although Christmas was still more than ten days ahead, the festive spirit had already been teeming everywhere. The Christmas tree had already been set up, and on every windowsill, there were Christmas lights. On the first day I arrived at their house, Stephen and I helped Mrs. Stapczynski put decorations on the Christmas tree. The tree looked so nice with all the lights on and the beautiful ornaments dangling from its branches.

As Christmas came closer, the whole neighborhood had made preparations too. Some people would hold parties at their houses, inviting all their neighbors to come. So every night, if you went out, you would see a long line of cars parked in front of some house--a partys on!

Whats more, the Christmas decorations that some people put on their windows and in gardens were just amazing. On one night, we went out in our car for a "tour of lights". There was one street that was so famous for its lights that it got its way into the local paper. We had a hard time finding the well-hidden street, but it turned out to be worth the effort. Lights shone brightly in front of nearly every house, on trees, bushes, doors, windowseverywhere, taking different shapes, making it seem almost like daytime. Huge inflatable figures in the front gardens were waving to us: there were Santa Clauses2, of course, chuckling merrily away; and there were also other Christmas figures, like Rudolph3--the red-nosed reindeer--with his red nose gleaming ever so brightly; even Bart Simpson--a character in the famous comedy The Simpsons--had joined the jolly party, wearing a Santas hat. The street set off a lot of "ooh"s and "aah"s inside the car.4 When we left, there was a line of cars in the street, all there to see the lights.

Christmas is the time for exchanging presents. Stephen and Niko had been thinking about their Christmas lists (a list of things they wish "Santa"to give them for Christmas) for a long time. I didnt want to ask for anything, but the Stapczynskis were so kind to "force"me make one list as well (Mr. Stapczynski told me if I didnt make one he would chop off my legs). So I wrote down a couple of things that I would like to have, and gave the list to them--sorry, my mistake--to Santa.

Finally, Christmas Eve came. There was a special Christmas service at the church at 6 p.m. It was certainly a very interesting experience for me. The priest started the service reading and sang out extractions from a holy book--The Divine Liturgy. For several times, we would stand up and pray.

Sometimes, the church choir would start singing. The atmosphere was very quiet and holy. Then there was a ceremony called "The Receiving Communion". People waited in line to "receive"a spoonful of food from the priest. It was a very special Christmas tradition. The food was made from bread and wine. The bread represents the body of Jesus, and the wine represents his blood. After this ceremony, the priest had a speech. He reminded us not to forget the true meaning of Christmas, and let Jesus really live inside us--that is, to love the people around us wholeheartedly. I think that no matter if you are a Christian or not, this principle should be part of our lives. After the priest finished his speech, the part that I enjoyed most came: Christmas carols5. Christmas carols are songs that people sing at Christmas, such as "Jingle Bells", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", "Silent Night"and so on. Some were very merry, others sounded quite holy, but all of them were beautiful. I closed my eyes, and let all the peacefulness and happiness that were in the songs flow through me. What a feeling it was!

We went to sleep earlier that day for we had to get up early on Christmas Day to open our presents. Sure enough, when I was still half-way during a sweet dream, Stephen burst into my room and told me to get up and open presents. There were a huge pile of presents under the Christmas tree, and there was such a mysterious mist shrouding them that made me eager to see what they all were. So one by one, we went through all the presents. Mr. and Mrs. Stapczynski had bought me everything I had written on my Christmas list--and a lot more! I got music CDs, film DVDs, clothes, books I was very happy, and I didnt know how to express my appreciation for what they had done for me.

Stephen and Niko had gotten a lot of presents too, and they had already been trying out their new games!

In the afternoon, we went to Mrs. Stapczynskis brother, Uncle Stans house. They had prepared a marvelous meal for us. A lot of their friends and relatives also came. I saw Stephen and Nikos grandparents, Yiayia and Papou (words of grandma and grandpa in Greek--Mrs. Stapczynskis parents came from Greece, so they like the boys using Greek words to call them). They were very kind to me, and treated me just like one of their family members. We had a very luxurious meal, consisting of turkey, beef, pork, and all sorts of other food.

After the meal, when all the stomachs were full and everyone was feeling drowsy6 from all the food, we just sat around the table and chatted, just like what we Chinese people do at the Spring Festival. After all, Christmas, like the Spring Festival, is a time for us to get away from our busy lives, a time for family gathering, and a time to have some fun.