介绍的英文作文（1）
清明节又叫踏青节，在仲春与暮春之交，也就是冬至后的第108天。是中国传统节日，也是最重要的祭祀节日之一，是祭祖和扫墓的日子。下面是小编为大家收集关于介绍清明节的英文作文，欢迎借鉴参考。
Last Qingming Festival,i return home to worship my grandfather.Qingming Festival is a folk Festival.In the past,In the past, the Qingming Festival was called "Arbor Day". But Today, Chinese visit their family graves to tend to any underbrush that has grown. Weeds are pulled, and dirt swept away, and the family will set out offerings of food and spirit money. Unlike the sacrifices at a family's home altar, the offerings at the tomb usually consist of dry, bland food. One theory is that since any number of ghosts rome around a grave area, the less appealing food will be consumed by the ancestors, and not be plundered by strangers.
With the passing of time, this celebration of life became a day to the honor past ancestors. Following folk religion, the Chinese believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors looked after the family. Sacrifices of food and spirit money could keep them happy, and the family would prosper through good harvests and more children.
The Qingming (Pure Brightness) Festival is one of the 24 solar terms in China, falling on April 4-6 each year. After the festival, the temperature will rise up and rainfall increase. It is the high time for spring plowing and sowing. In the past, the Qingming Festival was called “Arbor Day”, but since 1979, “Arbor Day” was settled on March 12 according to the Gregorian calendar.
清明节是我国24节气之一，在每年农历的4月4-6之间。清明过后，气温逐渐上升，雨水也增多，这是春耕播种的好时机。在过去，清明节也被称作植树节，后来从1979年后，植树节被定在公历的5月12日。
But the Qingming Festival is not only a solar term to guide farm work, it is more a festival of commemoration. It sees a combination of sadness and happiness. This is the most important day of sacrifice. Both the Han and minority ethnic groups at this time offer sacrifices to their ancestors and sweep the tombs of the diseased. On each Qingming Festival, all cemeteries are crowded with people who come to sweep tombs and offer sacrifices, but the customs have been greatly simplified today. After slightly sweeping the tombs, people offer food, flowers, then burn incense and ghost money. In short, it’s a time to cherish the memory of our ancestors and show our respect to them. Also, it’s a time for family gathering.
清明节不仅是指引人们开始农活的节气，也是举行祭祀最重要的节日，纪念悲伤和喜悦的日子。汉族和少数民族为祖先奉上祭品，为逝者扫墓。清明这天，墓园都是来祭祖扫墓的人，只是祭奠形式都有所简化。清扫墓地后，人们会奉上食物，鲜花，然后烧香烧纸钱。总之，清明是怀念与死去的家人的记忆，表示尊重的一天。同样，也是家人团聚的一天。
Qing Ming is popularly associated with Jie Zi Zhui, who lived in Shanxi province in 600 B.C. Legend has it that Jie saved his starving lord s life by serving a piece of his own leg. When the lord succeeded in becoming the ruler of a small principality, he invited his faithful follower to join him. However, Jie declined his invitation, preferring to lead a hermit s life with his mother in the mountains.
Believing that he could force Jie out by burning the mountain, the lord ordered his men to set the forest on fire. To his consternation, Jie chose to remain where he was and was burnt to death. To commemorate Jie, the lord ordered all fires in every home to be put out on the anniversary of Jie s death. Thus began the cold food feast , a day when no food could be cooked since no fire could be lit.
The cold food festival occurs on the eve of Qing Ming and is often considered as part of the Qing Ming festival. As time passes, the Qing Ming festival replaced the cold food festival. Whatever practice is observed，the basic observation of Qing Ming is to remember one s elders by making a special effort to visit their graves, ashes or ancestral tablets. To make the visit even more meaningful, some time should be spent to remind the younger members of the family of the lives and contributions of their ancestors, and the story of Jie Zi Zhui who choose death over capitulation.
清明一般解字椎，谁住在山西省在公元前600年，传说杰救了他的饥饿的主的生活作为一件自己的腿。当主成功地成为一个小公国的统治者，他邀请他的忠实追随者和他。然而，杰拒绝了他的邀请，宁愿与他的母亲在山上过隐士的生活。
相信他可以强迫杰由燃烧的山，耶和华下令放火烧山。他惊愕，杰选择留在那里他被烧死。为了纪念街，耶和华命令所有的火灾，每个家庭将在街去世一周年的日子。由此开始，寒食宴，一天没有食物可以煮熟，因为没有火能被照亮。
寒食节是在清明节的前夕，通常被认为是清明节的一部分。久而久之，清明取代了寒食节。无论实践观察，观察清明基本记住人的长老通过特别的努力来拜访他们的坟墓，多爱。为了使参观更有意义，要花费一些时间来对生活和贡献他们的祖先年轻的家庭成员，和介子推选择了死亡投降的故事。
Qing Ming is a time to remember the dead and the dearly departed. More important, it is a period to honour and to pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members. Because it reinforces the ethic of filial piety, Qing Ming is a major Chinese festival.
Literally meaning "clear" (Qing) and "bright" (Ming), this Chinese festival falls in early spring, on the 106th day after the winter solstice. It is a "spring" festival, and it is an occasion for the whole family to leave the home and to sweep the graves of their forebears. Chinese being practical people this sweeping of the graves is given an extended period, that is, 10 days before and after Qing Ming day. Among some dialect groups a whole month is allocated.
In contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy hope of Spring on this day. The Qingming Festival is a time when the sun shines brightly, the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. Since ancient times, people have followed the custom of Spring outings. At this time tourists are everywhere.
People love to fly kites during the Qingming Festival. Kite flying is actually not limited to the Qingming Festival. Its uniqueness lies in that people fly kites not during the day, but also at night. A string of little lanterns tied onto the kite or the thread look like shining stars, and therefore, are called "god's lanterns."
The Qingming Festival is also a time to plant trees, for the survival rate of saplings is high and trees grow fast later. In the past, the Qingming Festival was called "Arbor Day". But since 1979, "Arbor Day" was settled as March 12 according to the Gregorian calendar.
介绍的英文作文（2）
In Britain, Christmas Day is normally spent at home, with the family, and it is regarded as a celebration of the family and its continuity. Preparations start well in advance, with the sending of Christmas cards and installation of a decorated Christmas tree in a prominent place in the home. Although it is now a firmly established tradition, the Christmas tree was first popularised by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, who introduced the custom from his native Germany in 1840.
Some houses are decorated with evergreens (plants which do not lose their leaves in winter); a wreath of holly on the front door and garlands of holly, ivy and fir indoors. Bunches of mistletoe are often hung above doorways - any couple passing under neath must exchange kisses! Traditional food is prepared: sweet mince pies, a rich Christmas cake and the Christmas pudding. Everyone has their own favourite recipe, but they’re all packed full of spices, nuts,dried fruit and brandy.
Presents are bought and wrapped, and traditionally placed under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Christmas is both a secular and a religious holiday, and many families like to attend a midnight service at church on Christmas Eve, or celebrate Christmas in church on Christmas morning.
The excitement begins for children on Christmas Eve, when they hang up their stockings(an old sock or, more ambitiously, pillow cases) around the fireplace or at the foot of the bed for Father Christmas to fill with presents. The English Father Christmas or Santa Claus is first recorded in his traditional red and white outfit in a woodcut of 1653, but the story of Santa arriving in his reindeer-drawn sleigh and descending down the chimney to fill children’s stockings with presents derives from the USA.
Practically everyone sits down to a Christmas dinner in the early afternoon of Christmas Day, traditionally roast turkey, but some families prefer goose or roast beef. The turkey is followed by the Christmas pudding, brought to the table flaming hot. Brandy is poured over the pudding, then lit. After dinner, everyone relaxes by going for a walk, playing games, enjoying their presents or watching television.
介绍的英文作文（3）
Christmas Day-December 25-which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of the Christian religion, is the biggest and best-loved holiday in the Christian World.
According to the Bible, the holy book of Christians, God decided to allow his only son, Jesus Christ, to be born to a human mother and live on earth so that people could understand God better and learn to love God and each other more. "Christmas"- meaning "celebration of Christ "- honors the time when Jesus was born to a young Jewish woman Mary.
Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter, but before they came together, she was found to be with child. Because Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Although the exact date of the birth of Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago is not known, the calendar on the supposed date divides all time into B.C. (Before Christ )and A.D. ( a Latin phrase, Anno Domini, "in the year of our Lord.") For the first 300 years, Jesus birthday was celebrated on different dates. Finally, in the year 354, church leaders chose December 25 as his birthday.
译文：
十二月二十五日圣诞节庆祝耶稣基督的诞生,基督教的创始人,基督教世界最大和最受人喜爱的节日。
根据圣经,圣经的基督徒,上帝决定让他唯一的儿子,耶稣基督,出生,母亲是人类,生活在地球上,这样人们能更好地了解上帝,学习热爱上帝和彼此更多。“圣诞节”——意思是“庆祝基督”——纪念耶稣诞生的时候,一个年轻的犹太妇女玛丽。
玛丽约瑟夫订婚,一个木匠,但他们同居之前,约瑟夫发现了她和孩子。约瑟夫,因为她的丈夫是一个正派的人,又不想把这件事说出去让她丢脸,所以他想悄悄地和她分手。
但他认为这后,耶和华的使者在梦中向他显现,说,“不要害怕把玛丽带回家作为你的妻子,因为她怀孕是圣灵。她将生下一个儿子,你要给他起名叫耶稣,因为他将从罪恶中拯救他的人。”
虽然耶稣诞生的确切日期将近2000年前不知道,应该上的'日历日期时间分为公元前公元(公元前)和(拉丁短语,老年,“我们的主。”)300年第一,庆祝耶稣的生日是在不同的日期。最后,在354年,教会领袖选择12月25日定为耶稣基督的生日。
介绍的英文作文（4）
英文作文（一）
Good morning， ladies and gentlemen， boys and girls. Now ，It‘s my turn. My name is Edgar， a high school student. I am very honored to be here to give you a speech. Also it’s a good chance for me to improve my English. I hope I can make a good performance today. The topic of my speech is “After studying here”.
Before I came here，I can never imagine that I can learn so much knowledge about other countries， which can‘t be got from my books in school. Three months ago， I took my first class. Unfortunately， I felt so embarrassed， because I even can’t speak any words， though I know I really love English .
After that， I took some of my tutor‘s advice and previewed the lesson that I’ll learn. What‘s more， In every class， I JUST try my best to say as much as possible. Now，I can only remember It’s a really hard time. What‘s worse， I had to go to my high school and went there at the same time.
After several weeks， I began to get used to the atmosphere in web .At least I’m not afraid to speak in front of my tutor and foreign teachers.
During web‘s period，I found I had improved a lot， both physically and mentally. For example， how to be a confident person， how to plan for my future. And the most important is that I have learnt how to communicate with others， which is a necessary skill. Nowadays studying is not the only thing that we high school students should do， there are some more important things we have ignored.
First， I am grateful for my parents. They have spent so much money for me， but never ask for anything in return. I really know how hard it is to work on such living conditions.
Now It’s time to introduce my tutor sally. It was she that led me to the right studying here. It was she that helped me deal with all kinds of annoying things. Also there are some other teachers that I appreciate， especially Laura and Anita. Of course， I like to take foreign teachers‘ classes. Anyway， thanks all of you！
I know I am young； there is a long way in my life. I have to face the difficulties and solve them by myself. But i know i must keep on my dream， I agree that If you put your mind to， you can accomplish anything.
I know i’m not the best ，but i‘m the most diligent one.I hope you can remember me ，an ordinary boy.
自我介绍英文作文（二）
Good morning. I am glad to be here for this interview. First let me introduce myself. My name is ***， 24. I come from ******， the capital of *******Province. I graduated from the ******* department of *****University in July， 2001. In the past two years I have been preparing for the postgraduate examination while I have been teaching *****in NO. ****middle School and I was a head-teacher of a class in junior grade two. Now all my hard work has got a result since I have a chance to be interviewed by you.
I am open-minded， quick in thought and very fond of history. In my spare time， I have broad interests like many other youngers.I like reading books， especially those about *******. Frequently I exchange with other people by making comments in the forum on line. In addition， during my college years， I was once a Net-bar technician. So， I have a comparative good command of network application. I am able to operate the computer well. I am skillful in searching for information on Internet. I am a football fan for years. Italian team is my favorite. Anyway， I feel great pity for our country’s team.
I always believe that one will easily lag behind unless he keeps on learning. Of course， if I am given a chance to study ****** in this famous University， I will spare no effort to master a good command of advance ******.
自我介绍英文作文（三）
Good morning，ladies and gentlemen.I am of great hornor to stand here and introduce myself to you .My chinese name is WangHao and my english name is…I‘m14 years old .I’m a student in a very beautiful school called ……（写你的学校的名字） middle school .Introduction（自我介绍）
Good morning，ladies and gentlemen.I am of great hornor to stand here and introduce myself to you .My chinese name is mengchuan and my english name is melvin.I‘m12 years old .I’m a student in a very beautiful school called pengcheng middle school My hometown sandu so a beautiful city.Iwas born in ……（写你出生的那年，如1994）。I‘m crazy about English .I have a family of four people.My father， mother ，brother and I.They love me，so do I .I’m very happy and I like to make friends with others. I also like singing but traveling is my favorite， I have been to many interesting places in China but I haven‘t been to other countries. What a pity！ .My favourrite song is Big big world.My geatest dream is to be an English
teacher.To come ture my dream，I must study harder from now on . Thank you for listening to my speech.That’s all，many thanks！
Class9 grade7. My hometown sandu so a beautiful city.Iwas born in 1996.I‘m crazy about English .I have a family of four people.My father， mother ，brother and I.They love me，so do I .I’m very happy and I like to make friends with others. I also like singing but traveling is my favorite， I have been to many interesting places in China but I haven‘t been to other countries. What a pity！ .My favourrite song is Big big world.My geatest dream is to be an English
teacher.To come ture my dream，I must study harder from now on . .That’s all，many thanks！
上一篇：入职英文自我介绍 下一篇：毕业实习鉴定表自我鉴定
介绍的英文作文（5）
本文《小学生自我介绍英文范文：Introduce myself》由小学生作文大全整理，仅供参考。如果觉得很不错，欢迎点评和分享～感谢你的阅读与支持！
Introduce myself（英语小练笔）
Hello!My name is Liu yi tian,my English name is Nancy,I’m a girl pupil,a good girl pupil!My favourite food is meat,I also like rice、noodles、milk、apples、oranges,and so on.I don’t like pears.I like riding my bike、skipping,I don’t like swimming.
Now, do you know me？Make friends with me quickly!
翻译：我
大家好！我的'名字叫刘怡恬，英文名字叫Nancy，我是一个女生，一个棒女生！我最喜欢的食物是肉，还喜欢吃米饭、面条、牛奶、苹果、橙子。我不喜欢吃梨。我喜欢骑自行车、跳绳，不喜欢游泳。
现在，你了解我了吧？快快和我交朋友吧！
介绍的英文作文（6）
无论是在学校还是在社会中，大家都接触过作文吧，借助作文人们可以实现文化交流的目的。你知道作文怎样写才规范吗？下面是小编精心整理的写介绍深圳的中学生英文作文，欢迎大家分享。
As is known to us,it is very harmful to spent too much time playing games on the internet.
Firstly,it is an enormous waste of your precious time.As a student,we are supposed to concentrate our attention on our studies.Secondly, it does great physical harm to your if you are stay up so often.You are likely to suffer from body imbalance as a result of exhaustion.Thirdly,your mental health will be seriously affected,too.If you pletely immerse yourself in the unreal world and deviate yourself from your parents and friends,you will end up feeling lonely and isolated in the real word.
I hope someone who likes playing puter games will manage to control this problem and shift your attention to your lessons.Try to take exercises and municate with others more often.In this way,you will live a more colorful and fruitful life.
介绍的英文作文（7）
I have always been e_pected to junior high school life is about to start from today, I wish in the new age, new schools, teachers and the classmate get along, happy Three in early Happy
Before he came here, my primary school life rich and Si_ years of primary school life, I had double hundred points have three semesters, and the school can be in peace and harmony with the classmate of everyone, but also a little faults, is that I am a little affectations too much, sometimes will affect other students, at the university and get along with later days I will try to
I like literature and music, ever also have the article in the school magazine published, spare time like to listen to rela_ing
The new semester, I wish to make progress together, and the university using our most valuable years to complete their studies, have difficulty to help each other, I will be the first to come forward Please supervise
Introduce yourself here, I hope everyone can know me, and I will become a good Thank you, thank you!
介绍的英文作文（8）
Hello everyone ，I'm very happy to be in a same class with you,my Chinese name is WangTe .My English name is Trista .It means a girl who can use the smile to defuse sadness ,but actually I don't really like to laugh .so my previous classmates think I'm a little graduate from huayu foreign language experimental are five people in my My parents,grangparents and me .Of course,I'm the only child in my my spare time ,I like to read think reading could enlargemy addition to reading,I also like to listen to music and watch TV play .and I love singing .I can play the electronic organ,but not very the past three years, I have learned a as soon as I walked into high school, I realized I need to learn in the next three years I will be more believe that the future to be with you will be more wonderful .That's all ,thank you .
介绍的英文作文（9）
My name is xx, a postgraduate student from Tianjin University, and will get my master degree in March
I'd like to summarize myself from 3 aspects:
First, I'm an excellent In my sophomore year, I passed the entrance examination to the Excellent Student Program in Tianjin University and was recommended as the postgraduate student with special courses, and then I joined the IBM Center in Tianjin After finishing my undergraduate courses, my GPA was out of
Second, I'm an excellent During the last 4 years, I have finished 5 projects, including the Hydraulic Engineering Project Management System, and so And I took part in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling in 20XX and won the second prize in Tianjin
Last, I'm an excellent team I've been serving as the monitor for 6 years and team leader for 2 And besides taking more responsibilities, I also placed great emphasis on teamwork, in order to meet the team's
介绍的英文作文（10）
I am I was born in jilin I graduate from Henan University of Urban I started learning English since I was 15 years father is a farmer . And my mother is a I am the youngest one in my My brother have a lot of American That’s why I have no problem communicating with Americans or others by speaking
In my spare time, I like to do anything relating to English such as listening to English songs, watching English movies or TV programs, or even attending the activities held by some English clubs or I used to go University for a short- term English During that time, I learned a lot of daily life English and saw a lot of different
I think language is very I could express one substanceby using different So I wish I could study and read more English enlarge my
介绍的英文作文（11）
My name is I am graduate from ________ senior high school and major in There are ________ people in my My father works in a computer And my mother is a I am the youngest one in my
In my spare time, I like to read I think reading could enlarge my As for novels, I could imagine whatever I like such as a well-known scientist or a kung-fu In addition to reading, I also like to play PC A lot of grownups think playing PC games hinders the students from But I think PC games could motivate me to learn something such as English or
My favorite course is English because I think it is interesting to say one thing via different I wish my English could be improved in the next four years and be able to speak fluent English in the
介绍的英文作文（12）
Hi, everybody! Today, I would like to introduce myself!
My name is ChengZiYing, 9 years old this year, I am a lovely little I have a pair of watery eyes, a pair of big ears, a straight nose, a plausible mouth, a tender little face, have a black long hair on his Oh, regardless of appearance! Tell me about my hobby, advantage!
I often help my mother do housework at home, I also can play the piano! I'll play the song: " Red rope", "river bank Mongolia folk song", "dream wedding", "the moon represents my heart". Sometimes, when I was at home all right, will create their songs to play, and the lyrics!
I am very obedient at home, this is me, do you understand me? If you still don't understand, that is quick to make friends with me!
介绍的英文作文（13）
Hello! My name is 津珲. My mother is very My father is So I’m very Look! My coat is My eyes are I have a long Fish is my favorite I like mice Guess! Who am I?
介绍的英文作文（14）
The first day of the Lunar New Year is the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth.Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.
On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.
The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.
On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.
On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.
The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.
The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.
介绍中国元宵节英文作文范文二：Lantern Festival
the lantern festival or yuanxiao jie is a traditional chinese festival, which is on the 15th of the first month of the chinese new year. the festival marks the end of the celebrations of the chinese new year.
chinese started to celebrate the lantern festival from the han dynasty (206 bc - 221 ad). like most other chinese festivals, there is also a story behind the festival. it is also believed that the festival has taoist origins.
this is a festival for people having fun. on the night of the festival, people go on streets with a variety of lanterns under the full moon, watching lions or dragon dancing, playing chinese riddles and games, and lighting up firecrackers. there is really a lot of fun for the young and the old.
yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball) or tangyuan is the special food for the lantern festival. it is believed that yuanxiao is named after a palace maid, yuanxiao, of emperor wu di of the han dynasty. yuanxiao is a kind of sweet dumpling, which is made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing.
yuanxiao is sticky, sweet and round in shape, symbolizing family unity, completeness and happiness.
介绍中国元宵节英文作文范文三：Lantern Festival
the chinese new year is now popularly known as the spring festival because it starts from the begining of spring (the first of the twenty-four terms in coodination with the changes of nature). its origin is too old to be traced. several explanations are hanging around. all agree, however, that the word nian, which in modern chinese solely means year, was originally the name of a monster beast that started to prey on people the night before the beginning of a new year.
one legend goes that the beast nian had a very big mouth that would swallow a great many people with one bite. people were very scared. one day, an old man came to their rescue, offering to subdue nian. to nian he said, i hear say that you are very capable, but can you swallow the other beasts of prey on earth instead of people who are by no means of your worthy opponents? so, it did swallow many of the beasts of prey on earth that also harrassed people and their domestic animals from time to time.
介绍中国元宵节英文作文范文四：Lantern Festival
probably more food is consumed during the new year celebrations than any other time of the year. vast amounts of traditional food is prepared for family and friends, as well as those close to us who have died.
on new year's day, the chinese family will eat a vegetarian dish called jai. although the various ingredients in jai are root vegetables or fibrous vegetables, many people attribute various superstitious aspects to them.
other foods include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. the chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.
in south china, the favorite and most typical dishes were nian gao, sweet steamed glutinous rice(糯米)pudding and zong zi (glutinous rice wrapped up in reed(芦苇)leaves), another popular delicacy.
in the north, steamed-wheat bread (man tou) and small meat dumplings were the preferred food. the tremendous amount of food prepared at this time was meant to symbolize abundance and wealth for the household.
介绍的英文作文（15）
the history of christmas dates back over 4000 years. many of our christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the christ child was born. the 12 days of christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early mesopotamians.
many of these traditions began with the mesopotamian celebration of new years. the mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god-marduk. each year as winter arrived it was believed that marduk would do battle with the monsters of chaos. to assist marduk in his struggle the mesopotamians held a festival for the new year. this was zagmuk, the new year′s festival that lasted for 12 days.
the persians and the babylonians celebrated a similar festival called the sacaea. part of that celebration included the exchanging of places, the slaves would become the masters and the masters were to obey. the ancient greeks held a festival similar to that of the zagmuk/sacaea festivals to assist their god kronos who would battle the god zeus and his titans.
the roman′s celebrated their god saturn. their festival was called saturnalia which began the middle of december and ended january 1st. with crries of "jo saturnalia!" the celebration would include masquerades in the streets, big festive meals, visiting friends, and the exchange of good-luck gifts called strenae (lucky fruits). the romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. again the masters and slaves would exchange places.
"jo saturnalia!" was a fun and festive time for the romans, but the christians thought it an abomination to honor the pagan god. the early christians wanted to keep the birthday of their christ child a solemn and religious holiday, not one of cheer and merriment as was the pagan saturnalia.
some legends claim that the christian "christmas" celebration was invented to compete against the pagan celebrations of december. the 25th was not only sacred to the romans but also the persians whose religion mithraism was one of christianity′s main rivals at that time. the church eventually was successful in taking the merriment, lights, and gifts from the saturanilia festival and bringing them to the celebration of christmas.
the exact day of the christ child′s birth has never been pinpointed. traditions say that it has been celebrated since the year 98 ad. in 137 ad the bishop of rome ordered the birthday of the christ child celebrated as a solemn feast. in 350 ad another bishop of rome, julius i, choose december 25th as the observance of christmas.