发礼物的圣诞老人The old man with the sack--圣诞节英语故事中英对照

　　拎麻袋的圣诞老人

　　'Father Christmas' (or 'Santa Claus') has become the human face of Christmas. Pictures will be seen everywhere of the old man with long white beard, red coat, and bag of toys. Children are taught that he brings them presents the night before Christmas (or in some countries on December 6th - St. Nicholas' Day), and many children up to the age of 7 or 8 really believe this is true. In most countries, it is said that he lives near the North Pole, and arrives through the sky on a sledge (snow-cart) pulled by reindeer. He comes into houses down the chimney at midnight and places presents for the children in socks or bags by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.

　　圣诞老人(Father Christmas或Santa Claus)已经成了圣诞节的形象代言人，圣诞节未到，老头子先到，一个大白胡子，穿身红衣服，背个装满玩具的大麻袋的老头子的海报随处可见。孩子从小就被灌输一种想，圣诞节前的平安夜，圣诞老人会给他们送礼物(某些国家是过12月6日的圣尼古拉斯日)，一些7,8岁的孩子都相信圣诞老人送礼物这事儿是真的。在大部分国家里，都流传圣诞老人住在北极，要过圣诞节时，就滑着雪橇或者乘着由驯鹿拉着的雪车从天上飞过来。然后在半夜从烟囱上爬进屋子，把礼物放在孩子们的袜子里，或者放在床边的袋子里，或者是放在圣诞树前面。

　　In shops or at children's parties, someone will dress up as Father Christmas and give small presents to children, or ask them what gifts they want for Christmas. Christmas can be a time of magic and excitement for children.

　　在一些商店或者儿童派对上，会有人专门穿成圣诞老人的样子给孩子们发礼物，或者询问他们想要什么圣诞礼物，圣诞节对孩子们来说，意味着兴奋和神奇。