Talk of the town：Merry Christmas！(组图)
发布 : 2025-12-17 来源 : 明报新闻网 用微信扫描二维码，分享至好友和朋友圈 | 加关注  明声网温哥华 微信公众号 |
It is a tradition for healthcare workers at hospitals to dress up as Santa Claus.
Christmas carol（Laoshi@iStockphoto）
Christmas Tree & Poinsettia（onepony@iStockphoto）
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a jolly figure who brings gifts to children around the world on Christmas Eve. He is known for his red suit, a sleigh led by reindeers, and a workshop at the North Pole. A famous amusement park ''Santa Claus Village'' is located in Finland.
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a traditional song or hymn sung during the festive season to celebrate the holiday. These songs, like Silent Night or Jingle Bells, spread joy and help to tell the story of Christmas.
Christmas Tree & Poinsettia
The Christmas Tree, an evergreen fir decorated with lights and ornaments, serves as a central symbol of the season inside the home. The Poinsettia, with its vibrant red and green leaves, is a popular holiday plant known as the ''Christmas Flower''.
Christmas feast
The Christmas feast is the large, celebratory meal families and friends share on Christmas Day. It often features a central dish like roast turkey or ham, accompanied by hearty sides, desserts, and festive drinks.
More than just presents
There is no denying that the modern Christmas season is largely driven by consumerism, serving as a marketing period for retailers. This overwhelming focus on materialism (物质主义) and consumption has, for many, overshadowed the original spirit of Christmas, which centers on gratitude, togetherness, and compassion. Therefore, starting this year, we should shift our focus from buying to connecting, by prioritizing time with loved ones, expressing gratitude, and giving back to our communities by helping the disadvantaged.
■Grammar booster
There is no denying that
Introduces a fact that is so clear, obvious, or well-supported that it cannot be argued against.
E.g. There is no denying that climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
■Gear up
Fill in the blanks with the glossary below.
1. His academic achievements were _______ by his younger sister's Olympic success.
2. Many volunteers dedicate their time to helping the ___________ in their community.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
hearty (adj) (尤指食物)大量的/丰盛的
overwhelming (adj) 难以抵挡的
overshadow (v) 使失色
(the) disadvantaged (n) 弱势人群
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[Smarties' Power English 第457期]