Helping Others‏

Christmas in America means different things to different people. To some people, Christmas means brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree. To others, it means family reunions and a wonderful meal together. To Christians, it means Jesus’ birthday. Christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. Along with all the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending Christmas cards, many people in America take time to help others.
在美國，聖誕節對不同的人代表了
不同的意義。對某些人而言，聖誕節的
意義是在佈置好的聖誕樹底下那些包裝
得色彩鮮豔的禮物。對另外一些人而
言，它的意義則是家人團圓以及共享美
好的一餐。對基督徒來說，它代表了耶
穌的誕生。聖誕節的意義也是向需要幫
助的人伸出援手。在採購禮物及寄送聖
誕卡片的一陣忙亂當中，很多美國人仍
會撥出時間去幫助別人。

In America and around the world, Christmas offers many opportunities to spread
“peace on earth, good will toward men.” For example, Salvation Army bell ringers
are a familiar sight to most Christmas shoppers. They stand outside malls and stores collecting money
for the needy. Many churches and other organizations collect toys and clothes as Christmas gifts for
poor families. Going caroling is another traditional way to bring cheer to neighbors—especially the elderly
and people who can’t get out much.
在美國及全世界各地，聖誕節提供
了很多傳揚「平安與世，善意與人」的
機會。例如，救世軍的搖鈴者對大多數
為聖誕節購物的人們而言，是一個熟悉
的景象。他們通常會站在購物中心和商
店外面，為有需要的人募錢。很多教會
和其他的機構會收集玩具和衣服，作為
窮苦家庭的聖誕禮物。報佳音是另外一
種能夠將歡樂帶給鄰舍的傳統方式，尤
其是針對那些老人和無法常出門的人。
聖誕節的精神鼓勵人們在許多大大小小
的事情上互相幫助。

The Christmas spirit encourages people to help each other in many large and small ways.
The spirit of helping others isn’t limited to Christmas, however. Americans help others year-round.
Civic clubs such as the Lion’s Club, the Elk’s Club and the Rotary Club take part in local community projects.
Many organizations exist just to help others.
然而，助人的精神並不只有在聖誕
節才能發揮。美國人一年到頭都在幫助
他人。像獅子會( L i o n’s Club)、角鹿社
( E l k’s Club)、扶輪社(Rotary Club)這樣的
市民會社，都參與了地方社區的計劃活
動。很多機構的設立就是為了要助人。

The Make a Wish Foundation gives terminally ill children a chance to have their dream come true. Habitat for Humanity helps poor people build their own houses. And besides supporting worthy causes with their money, thousands of Americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.
許願基金會(Make a Wish Foundation)給罹
患末期疾病的孩童們一個美夢成真的機
會；仁愛之家(Habitat for Humanity)則幫
助窮苦的人們建蓋屬於他們自己的房
子。成千上萬的美國人除了以金錢支持
一些有意義的事情之外，他們也獻出自
己的時間在醫院、流浪者之家和學校作
義工服務。
The Make a Wish Foundation gives terminally ill children a chance to have their dream come true. Habitat for Humanity helps poor people build their own houses. And besides supporting worthy causes with their money, thousands of Americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.
許願基金會(Make a Wish Foundation)給罹
患末期疾病的孩童們一個美夢成真的機
會；仁愛之家(Habitat for Humanity)則幫
助窮苦的人們建蓋屬於他們自己的房
子。成千上萬的美國人除了以金錢支持
一些有意義的事情之外，他們也獻出自
己的時間在醫院、流浪者之家和學校作
義工服務。

As the old saying goes, “Charity begins at home”—but it doesn’t stop there.
Americans are concerned about helping needy people in other countries, as well.
The U.S. is often one of the first countries to provide relief to areas of the world in severe need. Many American organizations reach out to suffering people in other countries. Some of them have programs by which donors can sponsor needy children. For a certain amount per month, people can provide these children
with food, clothing and education.
正如一句古老的諺語所說：「仁愛
從家裡開始。」但它卻不是就停在那
裡。美國人也很關心於幫助其他國家中
有需要的人們。對於世界各地極需援助
的地區，美國經常是首先提出救援的國
家之一。很多美國機構向其他國家中的
苦難人民伸出援手。捐獻者可以透過某
些機構中的一些計劃去贊助有需要的孩
童。人們每個月只要捐出某個特定的數
目，就可以提供食物、衣服和教育給這
些孩童們。

As long as there are people in need, helping others will remain an important task.
Americans are not the only ones who believe in helping others. People in every culture recognize that being helpful is one of the greatest virtues in life, as well as one of the sweetest joys. The Christmas season is a great time to renew our commitment to help people in need. We never know when we might need a little help ourselves.
只要有人需要援助，幫助別人就仍
然是一件重要的事。美國人並不是唯一
相信應該幫助別人的人。每一個文化中
都會有人體認到，幫助別人是生命中最
偉大的美德之一，也是最甜美的喜樂之
一。聖誕節是一個絕佳的時機，可以讓
我們重新許下承諾去幫助有需要的人。
我們永遠不會知道，什麼時候自己可能
也需要一點幫助呢！
⊙Word Bankreunion (n) 重聚；團圓
hubbub (n) 嘈雜；喧鬧

good will (n phr) 善意
bell ringer (n phr) 搖鈴者
caroling (n) 唱聖誕讚美詩；報聖誕佳音

foundation (n) 基金會
terminally ill (adj phr) 末期疾病的
volunteer (n) 志願者；義工

terminally ill (adj phr) 末期疾病的
foundation (n) 基金會
volunteer (n) 志願者；義工

relief (n) 救濟；解救
sponsor (v) 贊助

virtue (n) 美德

The Day's Phrase

Luke comes home and sees his friends again
路克返鄉了，再度和朋友們相見

Tina's company is still very new, but it has a lot of promise.
蒂娜的公司剛成立不久，但前景看好。

Discover the history and horses of this small island in Michigan
一探密西根州小島的歷史及馬匹
Tony wants to buy a new Mercedes-Benz, even though he knows he'll have to break the bank to pay for it.
東尼想要買部新的賓士轎車，即使他知道他付那筆錢會傾家蕩產。

Ned began to cry when he lost his wallet. But I said to him, "Don't lose your head over it, it was just money."
奈德的錢包掉了，他就開始哭了起來。但是我對他說：「別因此就亂了方寸，那不過是錢而已。」

This French scientist solved many of the important problems of his time
這位法國科學家解決了很多當時的重大難題
John just broke his leg. He must be patient and let it recover. He has to take things one day at a time.
約翰剛摔斷了腿。他得要有耐心等它痊癒。他必須要一步一步慢慢來。

Larry is thanking his lucky stars that his horse is still alive.
賴瑞感謝自己運氣好，因為他的馬還活著。

You can become a more confident person
你可以成為更有自信的人

It seems like everybody is in favor of the new changes. Even Joe has jumped on the bandwagon.
看來似乎每個人都贊同這些新的變革。甚至連喬都趕搭這班革新列車了。

By doubling their sales and reducing expenses, the Miller Bubble Gum company will be out of the red
in four months.
藉著加倍的銷售以及減少支出，米勒泡泡糖公司再四個月就能轉虧為盈了。