A Spanish Christmas 西班牙聖誕節

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.3

　　Although 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 depicts 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 craftsmanship.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 ornaments 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 seafood. For desert, a candy called marzipan9 is served. Marzipan is made from almonds, eggs and sugars.

Notes:

1. extend: 延續；Three Kings Day: 三聖節，又稱Epiphany（主顯節），基督教紀念耶穌向世人顯現的節日，通常在每年1月6日。

2. treat: 好東西。

3. 通常，三盤食物和三杯酒是爲招待三位訪客特意留下的，準備（裝禮物）的鞋子中一般都會填滿稻草以供東方三博士所騎的駱駝食用。Magi: 東方三博士，爲《聖經》中人物，指向初生的耶穌朝拜獻禮的東方三聖，下文中提到的the Three Wisemen與此同義。

4. Nativity scene: 也作Nativity play，聖誕劇，關於耶穌誕生的戲劇，通常由兒童在聖誕節期間演出；depict: 描述；stable: 馬廄，根據《聖經》記載，耶穌誕生在馬廄中。

5. elaborate: 精心計劃或製作的；craftsmanship: 技能，技術。

6. give rise to: 引起，導致。

7. booth: 貨攤，攤位。

8. almond: 杏仁。