象徵重生與希望的復活節
Most of the world knows what Christmas is and the reason it is celebrated. However, Easter, which is observed on a Sunday as early as March 22 or as late as April 25, is probably less understood. For Christians, it is an important time of year. The holiday stresses the fact that Jesus came back to life after he was crucified for people’s sins. Easter celebrates this resurrection, which took place some 2,000 years ago.
In fact, Easter was once a pagan holiday that celebrated the arrival of spring and honored its goddess --- Eostre. The spring brought warmer weather and new growth in both plants and animals. Thus, the season is often associated with rebirth. What’s more, Eostre’s symbol was the rabbit, which represented fertility and went on to become the legendary Easter Bunny.
中譯
大部分世人都知道何謂聖誕節，以及要慶祝這個節日的理由。然而，對於最早可於三月二十二日、最晚可於四月二十五日當中的某個星期日來慶祝的復活節來說，或許人們就沒有那麼瞭解了。復活節是基督徒一年之中相當重要的一個時節。耶穌為洗刷世人罪惡而被釘死在十字架上，隨後又起死回生，這正是這個節日所要強調的重點。復活節所慶祝的，正是發生在大約兩千年前耶穌的復活。
事實上，復活節曾一度是個異教徒的節日，用意是在慶祝春天的到來，並同時尊崇春之女神 Eostre。春季為動植物都帶來了較溫暖的天氣以及新一季的發育。因此，這個季節常被人與重生聯想在一起。更進一步的是，Eostre 的象徵動物正是代表繁殖能力的兔子，而兔子也進而演變成傳奇著名的復活節兔。
生活必備字詞：
Most of 單數N + 單數V
Most of 複數N + 複數V
Most of the world (集合名詞) knows what Christmas is and the reason it is celebrated.
Most of us are curious. (我們 多數是...)
Most of his friends are nice.(他的朋友 多數是...)
1. observe [əbˋzɝv] vt. 看到，注意到; 觀察，觀測；監視; 遵守，奉行; 慶祝（節日等）
observe - observed - observed - observing
He observed a stranger hanging around the store.
（他看到一個陌生人在商店附近閒逛。）
They carefully observed the behavior of deer.
（他們仔細觀察了鹿的生活習性。）
This law must be strictly observed.（這項法律必須嚴格遵守。）
Some people observe Christmas here.（在這兒有些人過耶誕節。）
2. Christian [ˋkrɪstʃən] a. 基督教的 n. [C] 基督徒 Christians
3. stress [strɛs] vt. 強調，著重 n. 壓迫[U][C][（+on）] ; 重要性[U][（+on）]
stress - stressed - stressed - stressing
The English teacher stressed the importance of reading aloud.
（英語老師強調了朗讀的重要性。）
4. crucify [ˋkrusə͵faɪ] vt. 把……的手腳釘在十字架上處死; 迫害; 詆毀; 克制，壓抑
crucify - crucified - crucified - crucifying
5. sin [sɪn] n. 罪，罪孽，罪惡[C][U]; 過錯，過失[C] sins
The holiday stresses the fact that Jesus came back to life after he was crucified for people’s sins.
（耶穌為洗刷世人罪惡而被釘死在十字架上，隨後又起死回生，這正是這個節日所要強調的重點。）
6. resurrect [͵rɛzəˋrɛkt] vi. 復活 vt. 使復活; 使復甦; 使再活躍；使再流行
resurrect - resurrected - resurrected - resurrecting
7. resurrection [͵rɛzəˋrɛkʃən] n.[U] 復活; 復甦; 復興; 重新啟用; 重提
Easter celebrates this resurrection, which took place some 2,000 years ago.
（復活節所慶祝的，正是發生在大約兩千年前耶穌的復活。）
8. pagan [ˋpegən]
a. 異教的; 非基督教的; 不信教的
n. [C] 異教徒; 非基督教徒; 不信教的人 pagans
They burnt thousands of pagans.（他們燒死了數千名異教徒。）
9. arrive [əˋraɪv] vi. 到達；到來
arrival [əˋraɪv!]
n. [U] 到達；到來；達到 [（+at/in）]
n. [C] 到達的人（或物）；新生兒 arrivals
arrival at a conclusion（結論的得出）
the arrival of spring（春天的到來）
We waited for the arrival of our guests.（我們等著客人的到來。）
They went out to welcome the new arrivals.（他們走出去歡迎新來的人。）
10. associate ... with 把...和...聯繫在一起; 使聯合, 使結合; 使有聯繫
associate - associated - associated - associating
They associate turkey with Thanksgiving.
（他們把火雞和感恩節聯繫在一起。）
I didn't want to be associated with it at all.
（我根本不想與這事有牽連。）
11. fertility [fɝˋtɪlətɪ] n.[U]（土地的）肥沃;【生】繁殖力;（思想等的）豐富
12. bunny [ˋbʌnɪ] n. [C] 【兒語】兔子; 小兔子 bunnies
字體：小 中 大
