Talk of the town：A Time for Love and Giving
【明報專訊】As winter approaches, the time-honored holiday of Christmas draws near. We can see that shopping malls and many other places have started to be decorate. Christmas songs are being played and Christmas trees are everywhere. Christmas is a special time of year celebrated by people around the world, marking the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition.
◆A commercialised festival
However, Christmas has been overshadowed by a focus on extravagant spending and marketing gimmicks. With so many advertisements and a focus on lavish gifts and holiday items, the true meaning of Christmas—love, kindness, and making special connections — often takes a back seat to the pursuit of profit and material possessions.
◆How to make this holiday become meaningful and joyful?
To make this holiday season more meaningful and joyful, we should focus on experiences rather than material things.
Instead of being glued to electronic gadgets, we can spend time with our family and engage in community activities. Several non-profit organizations in Hong Kong have organized various volunteering opportunities. Given the significant number of elderly and people in need in Hong Kong, showing love and offering help to them can be meaningful both to them and to yourself during this winter season.
■Grammar booster
Take a back seat
To become less important.
■Know more
''Merry Christmas'' in different languages
Christmas is a festival celebrated worldwide, so ''Merry Christmas!'' can be expressed in different languages.
In French: Joyeux No?l!
In Spanish: Feliz Navidad!
In Italian: Buon Natale!
In Swedish and Norwegian: God Jul!
No matter which language you speak, Christmas is a time for creating cherished memories. Enjoy your Christmas, and we'll see you in 2025!
■Game
''Fa la la la la, la la la la''
Which Christmas carol/song below has these lyrics?
A. Deck the Halls
B. Silent Night
C. We wish you a Merry Christmas
(Answer on next text)
■Gear up
Fill in the blanks with the glossary below.
1. It is a _________ tradition that the elderly give their grandsons red packets during Lunar New Year.
2. The sets and costumes for this musical, which cost $100 million, are very __________.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
time-honored (adj) 歷史悠久的
overshadow (v) 掩蓋
lavish (adj) 奢華的
significant (adj) 顯著的
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[Smarties' Power English 第426期]
