主流聖誕傳統
By now, most people around the world are familiar with mainstream Christmas traditions such as setting up Christmas trees and giving gifts, but where did these traditions come from?
世界上多數人直到今天都很熟悉裝飾聖誕樹與送禮物之類的主流聖誕傳統，但這些傳統從何而來？
be familiar with 熟悉······I’m not familiar with this kind of operating system.
Evergreen trees used as Christmas trees have had a special meaning for people during winter ever since the times of ancient Egypt and Rome.
自古埃及與古羅馬時期以來，冬天以長青樹當作聖誕樹便別具意義。
現在完成式：have(has)+過去分詞
Just as families today set up Christmas trees in their homes, these ancient people decorated their homes by hanging evergreen boughs.
就跟許多人在家裡裝飾聖誕樹一樣，古人也掛上長青樹樹枝來佈置家裡。
decorate (v.)裝飾；decoration (n.)裝飾,裝飾品bough (n.)(比較粗的)樹枝
It was thought that these trees kept away evil spirits, ghosts, witches, and illness.
他們認為這些長青樹能驅走惡靈、鬼怪、女巫與病痛。
keep away 遠離spirit (n.)鬼魂,幽靈本句可改寫成：People thought that these trees kept away evil spirits, ghosts, witches, and illness.
As for the tradition of giving gifts, the roots also extend back to ancient Rome, to the festival of Saturnalia.
至於送禮物的傳統則可追溯回古羅馬的農神節。
root (n.)根莖,根源,起源
This festival was to give thanks to the agricultural god Saturn, and festivities took place between December 17 through 23.
這個節日是為了感謝農業之神薩圖恩，並於12月17至23日之間慶祝。
festivity (n.)慶祝活動；festival (n.)節慶take place 發生,舉行
During this time, ancient Romans celebrated with a public banquet, private gift-giving, continued partying, and a wild atmosphere in which social standings were forgotten.
在此期間，古羅馬人設宴歡慶並私下送禮，舉辦狂歡派對，宴上不分階級地位。
banquet (n.)(正式的)宴會；year-end banquet 尾牙social standing 社會地位=social status=social class
Most people nowadays follow Christmas traditions without even knowing the origins or meanings.
儘管多數人都不曉得聖誕傳統的由來或意義，但依舊遵循這些傳統。
origin (n.)起源,源頭；originate (v.)起源於…Some Christmas traditions originated from ancient Rome.
The fact that these traditions have survived for millennia proves that people always appreciate fun festivities.
這些傳統存續千年，證明人總是喜歡有趣的慶祝活動。
millennium (n.)一千年；(複數)millenniamillennials 千禧世代