The Origin of Christmas Tree

                                   圣诞树的由来

五彩斑斓的圣诞树是圣诞节不可缺少的装饰元素。它绿油油的身段，自下而上收紧的三角形，闪烁其间的各种小礼品、花灯总是得到孩子们的垂青。把它放在家中的客厅里，和家人一起在圣诞树的祝福下许下团圆和幸福的诺言，实在是一件幸事。而圣诞树的由来也有自己的故事，让我们一起来听听。

Set high on the great round table stands the lighted Christmas tree, shining its gold cheer around the room. It towers above the children's heads as they gaze up at it with admiring eyes. Sitting on the very top of the tree is a silver star surrounded by tiny lights. All the branches are hung with silver bells and sparkling lights. Around the base of the tree lie the gifts and toys wrapped up in bright colorful paper.

Every Christmas in millions of homes all over the world, a Christmas tree forms the centerpiece of the decorations. But it is Germany thatwe have to thank for giving us the custom of lighting and decorating a small fir tree.

According to the ancient legend, a traveling holy man called St. Boniface was passing through a forest one December when he was horrified to see that a small boy was going to be offered up as a human sacrifice to one of their gods. He was just about to be put on a roaring fire when St. Boniface rushed in and snatched the boy away. Then, picking up an axe he chopped down a huge oak tree which stood nearby. As it fell to the ground, a tiny young fir appeared out of the ground in the space where the mighty oak had stood.

“From now on,” said St. Boniface, “this little tree will be a holy symbol. It is the sign of everlasting life because its leaves are still green when everything else seems dead around it. Moreover, it will always point upward to heaven. From this day, this little tree shall be called the Christ-child Tree.”

This little tree has become known around the world.

（本文摘自作者的《看欧美风情学英语》和《英语阅读大观》一书）