西班牙圣诞节

 　　In Spain different set of gift-giving traditions exists. The holiday season extends to Jan. 6, known as Three Kings Day or the Epiphany.1 It is not until Three Kings Day that Spanish children receive their gifts. On the eve of the Epiphany, children set out a pair of shoes to be filled with treats2 by the Three Kings. Usually, three plates of food and three glasses of wine are left out for the visitors, and the waiting shoes are often stuffed with straw for the camels the Magi ride.3Although gifts are not given until Three Kings Day, the Spanish still celebrate on Christmas Day. One of the most important Christmas traditions is the construction of the Nativity scene, which depicts¹ the stable Christ was born in, complete with parents, angels and animals.4 These scenes are often elaborate and require a good deal of materials and craftsmanship².5 The need for building materials gave rise to6 another Spanish tradition: the Christmas market. These outdoor markets consist of a series of booths7 set up on streets and in squares. The booths sell everything from ornaments³ and small gifts to figures and building materials for the Nativity scenes.

　　The Spanish have a number of unique dishes that are traditionally served on Christmas. While some serve turkey, the worldwide favorite, many prefer a distinctly Spanish menu. This meal would consist of almond8 soup followed by seafood⁴. For desert, a candy called marzipan9 is served. Marzipan is made from almonds, eggs and sugars.

　　Notes:

　　1. extend: 延续;Three Kings Day: 三圣节，又称Epiphany(主显节)，基督教纪念耶稣向世人显现的节日，通常在每年1月6日。

　　2. treat: 好东西。

　　3. 通常，三盘食物和三杯酒是为招待三位访客特意留下的，准备(装礼物)的鞋子中一般都会填满稻草以供东方三博士所骑的骆驼食用。Magi: 东方三博士，为《圣经》中人物，指向初生的耶稣朝拜献礼的东方三圣，下文中提到的the Three Wisemen与此同义。

　　4. Nativity scene: 也作Nativity play，圣诞剧，关于耶稣诞生的戏剧，通常由儿童在圣诞节期间演出;depict: 描述;stable: 马厩，根据《圣经》记载，耶稣诞生在马厩中。

　　5. elaborate: 精心计划或制作的;craftsmanship: 技能，技术。

　　6. give rise to: 引起，导致。

　　7. booth: 货摊，摊位。

　　8. almond: 杏仁。

1 depicts   

描绘，描画( depict的第三人称单数 )； 描述

参考例句：

• The book vividly depicts French society of the 1930s. 这本书生动地描绘了20 世纪30 年代的法国社会。
• He depicts the sordid and vulgar sides of life exclusively. 他只描写人生肮脏和庸俗的一面。

2 craftsmanship   

n.手艺

参考例句：

• The whole house is a monument to her craftsmanship. 那整座房子是她技艺的一座丰碑。
• We admired the superb craftsmanship of the furniture. 我们很欣赏这个家具的一流工艺。

3 ornaments   

n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments. 架子上堆满了装饰品。
• Playing the piano sets up resonance in those glass ornaments. 一弹钢琴那些玻璃饰物就会产生共振。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 seafood   

n.海产食品，海味，海鲜

参考例句：

• There's an excellent seafood restaurant near here.离这儿不远有家非常不错的海鲜馆。
• Shrimps are a popular type of seafood.小虾是比较普遍的一种海味。