ＶＯＡのスペシャル・イングリッシュから引用
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2009-12-19-voa1.cfm

アメリカの今年のクリスマスの様子について、音楽やインタビューとともに、わかりやすい英語でまとめられている。教科書臭くないのがいい。スクリプトとともに、音声クリップもダウンロードできる。

This Friday, millions of families will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with gifts and other traditions. Our reporters talk with some children and adults about what the holiday means to them.
Many families will sing traditional Christmas carols and exchange gifts around decorated trees. And many will attend special church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.


「メリー・クリスマス」から「ハッピー・ホリデー」へ
"Merry Christmas" is the traditional holiday greeting used by millions of Americans. But these days a great many say "Happy Holidays."

不況が続く中で、最高のプレゼントとは
By now, the severe recession that began in December of two thousand seven may be technically over. But millions of American families are still hurting. For many, the best gift would be a job and freedom from worry about losing their home.
Other families have different worries. For military families, the best gift would be a way to protect loved ones getting ready to be sent to war, or already serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In the United States, holiday gift giving is important not only for the usual reasons, like showing friendship and love. It also represents an important part of a national economy driven mainly by consumer spending.

街は、クリスマス気分で賑やかだが、ちょっと違和感を覚える。
子どもには「うちは真言宗」と言ってある。
今日、２３日も結局一日仕事。明日２４日も、仕事でおそらく帰宅は日付が変わる頃になりそう。
せめて正月の三が日はゆっくりしたいものだ。