2014-12-24

【Aiden in English】

        The best, most wonderful season has arrived, bringing joy, happiness, and parties. So Mom took me to China Grace Christian Church (CGCC) for the annual Christmas party.

        Parties are cool and all, but no party is a party without spirit. The CGCC certainly had Christmas spirit in the air and I could just feel it in about everything. As soon as I entered the church, the very sound of the guests’ voices feel like the holiday joy. “Merry Christmas!” “Merry Christmas!” The atmosphere looked awesome even before the party had begun. 

        After giving our prayers to our food and God, the guests feasted on a buffet with all the delicious homemade Chinese potlucks you could ever dream of. The smell was really nice, too. However, even better than smelling was taking a huge bite out of it and letting the savory taste flow into your mouth like a fire in a winter wonderland. The food felt as if it had spirit as well.

        The spirit seemed like a flame that couldn’t and wouldn’t be extinguished. With full stomachs, we made our way to the auditorium. Every year, the church made a performance about God and celebrated Christmas. In the past, the kids used to bring videogames, but all happened to hang out in one of the rooms across the entrance to the auditorium since videogames were banned for good. That room looked just a mess. We absolutely trashed the place and everyone was laughing their lungs out, for Christmas was here. 

        After the show, everyone ate the deserts and said farewell. However, the good-byes sounded cheerful and happy. People need to be happy and excited because this is a time of giving. Our spirit needed to burn bright like the sun, even though it was night outside. Christmas was here, and I, like everyone else, was delighted and had a holiday bright spirit. 

【红霞译文】

        一年中最开心最美好的季节已经来临，它带给人们欢乐、幸福以及团聚。正因如此，妈妈携我前往宾州神州基督教会参加一年一度的圣诞聚会。

        聚会可谓节日盛事，精神面貌决定了聚会品质，神州基督教会浓郁的圣诞气息，无疑极大地激发了我高涨的节日热情。当走进教堂，友人间互致问候的亲切话语更使我内心深处增添了一种温馨，“圣诞快乐！”“圣诞快乐！”即使聚会尚未开始，大家的喜悦之情早已溢于言表。

        大家感谢主耶稣看顾教会施恩晚宴，来宾们尽展烹饪厨艺，共同分享各家拿手的经典中式佳肴名馔，味道甭提有多么鲜美地道。然而百闻不如一尝，肥香只有飘入自个口，冬天的火焰才能温暖人心窝，美食既是物质所需，又是精神享受。

        精神面貌犹如熊熊燃烧的火焰经久不息。因此当吃饱喝足了之后，我们便前往大厅参加教会传统的庆圣诞崇拜活动。过去年龄小的孩子们常常带来视频游戏，但如今由于明确规定不许拨弄任何电子玩艺，大家不约而同地会师于大厅对面一主日学教室。房间被我们折腾得够呛，垃圾铺天盖地。圣诞节到了，人人开心得忘乎所以。

        表演结束以后，大家又返回餐厅吃些甜点并互致再见，只不过这回听起来是幸福充满快乐的道别。人们应该幸福快乐，因为眼下正是给予的大好时刻。但愿彼此的精神面貌能像太阳灿烂明亮，尽管现在外面漆黑一团。圣诞节来了，正如其他人一样，我乐在其中心情大好。