Christians¹ around the world celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, each year. For many, it's a day of merriment and giving of thanks, marked by gatherings² with friends and family, shared meals and the exchange of gifts.

每年的12月25日，全世界的基督教徒们都会庆祝圣诞节。在很多人看来，圣诞节是一个充满快乐与感恩的日子。在这一天，人们总会与自己的亲友相聚，共享佳肴，互相交换礼物和祝福。

The Huffington Post editors asked readers around the world what Christmas means to them. Scroll³ below to read the best responses.

在今年的圣诞节来临之际，赫芬顿邮报的编辑们向读者询问圣诞节对他们的意义。以下就是一些很棒的答案。

Every year, my family goes with two or three other families (usually families we have known for many years) to sing Christmas carols at the local nursing home. Many of the residents have very few family members who visit them. Some have no Christmas visitors and are very lonely. We have one friend who lives in the nursing home who joins us every year, making his way through the halls as we push him in his wheelchair.

每年，我们全家都会和另外两三个家庭（通常这些家庭都与我们是世交）一同去当地的疗养院为住在那里的人唱圣诞颂歌。住在那里的很多人常常一年到头都很少有人探望。有些人甚至在圣诞节时也无人问津，非常孤独。在那个疗养院里，我们有一个朋友。每到圣诞节，我们总会推着他的轮椅，走进礼堂，与我们共同歌唱、共同欢乐。

"It is a way that my parents taught me to think of others before myself, especially during the very materialistic⁴ Christmas season. Jesus teaches us to welcome strangers and comfort those who mourn. What better time to live out His teachings than during Christmas?"

“这就是我父母教给我的东西：多为他人着想，尤其是在圣诞节这样一个物欲横流的节日里更应该如此。耶稣教育我们要善待素不相识的人，给予伤心者以安慰。在圣诞节奉行他的教诲，岂不是一大乐事？”

--Lauren Purser, email

——来自劳伦·铂泽的一封电子邮件

"I don't think of Christmas as being religious or non-religious, but rather as one of the few days where everyone can relax and snuggle up somewhere warm together (at least in the Northern hemisphere), and that is how I want it to be. Like, if just for that day, everyone could forget any hatred⁵ or sadness and just have kind sentiments⁶."

“我觉得圣诞节不存在什么宗教非宗教的特点，它只是人们在一年之中难得的、可以放松下来与别人相依相偎、共同取暖的日子（至少在北半球是这样的），而且我理想的圣诞也是这样的。我希望每个人都能忘记所有的仇恨和忧愁，内心充满善意和温暖，哪怕只是在圣诞节那么短短的一天。”

-- Koh Fujinaga, HuffPost Japan Facebook

——藤永（日本），来自赫芬顿邮报脸书

"Our family is always together, that is our great tradition."

“我们一家人总要团聚，这就是我们最重要的圣诞习俗。”

-- Márcia Andréia Lopes, HuffPost Brasil Facebook

——马西娅·安德尔·洛佩斯（巴西），来自赫芬顿邮报脸书

"My love for Stollen [a traditional Christmas bread] and dried fruits and nuts is endless."

“我对果子甜面包（一种传统圣诞面包）、干果和坚果的爱是无穷无尽的，怎么也吃不够。”

-- Masae Nakamura, HuffPost Japan Facebook

——来自雅枝中村（日本），赫芬顿邮报脸书

Instead of giving gifts, our family gives blessings⁷ based on what we have observed during the year #huffpostchristmas

“我们家并不会互相送礼物，我们会根据各自在这一年的状况相互给予祝福。”

— Evan Schellenberg (@evanbuilds) December 19, 2015

——伊万·舍伦贝格（@evanbuilds）于2015年12月19日

Favorite part of Christmas is pictures with the fam. #huffpostchristmas

在圣诞节，最幸福的事情就是与家人照全家福。

— m.i.milliman (@mimilliman) December 20, 2015 10 great Christmas quotes

——网友m.i.milliman (@mimilliman)于2015年12月20日