Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.
圣诞为爱而生，为欢乐而存在，我们分享我们收获，这里充满着欢笑，这一天，亲朋好友得以欢聚，装扮得靓丽闪耀的屋子里，充满着欢声笑语。但是，最重要的，圣诞是一个为爱而生的节日。起初，我并不赞同这一点，但一次的圣诞节上，一个脸颊红扑扑有着一双天真善良的大眼睛的小学生给我送上圣诞礼物的时候，我坚信，圣诞节是一个充满着爱与温情的节日。
Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sisters son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadnt been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.
11岁的马克，从小跟着他的阿姨长大。一个中年少妇带着自己姐姐遗留下来的孩子，没有抱怨没有怨言。她从来没有提醒年轻的马克,如果不是她的慷慨,他将是一个流浪汉,无家可归的流浪儿。虽然也会有责骂也会有受苦的时候，但家，让成为一个甜蜜和温柔的孩子。
I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunts anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.
起初我并没有注意到马克的性格，直到他每天放学后帮助我清理房间。那期间的几个小时，我们彼此都很享受，我们没有过多的交谈，我们享受着那段时间里的清净。当我们交谈时，马克主要谈的就是他的妈妈。尽管他的妈妈再他很小的时候便离开了他，但是他清晰地记得他的母亲是一位善良、优雅并且内心充满着爱的女士，她总是尽可能地陪伴在马克的身边。
As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, Did you really miss me?
圣诞节临近，马克却不能留在学校。我期待着他能来，多天过去后，他依旧是一放学后就蹦蹦跳跳地走了。我忍不住上前拦住他，询问他为什么放学后都没在来帮我打扫。我告诉他我有多么的想念他，他闪烁着他灰色的眼睛，如同它因紧张说话的频率一样地快你真的想我吗?
I explained how he had been my best helper. I was making you a surprise, he whispered confidentially. Its for Christmas. With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didnt stay after school any more after that.
我对他说，他已经成为了我最好的帮手，我正在为你准备惊喜，他小声而郑重地对我耳语是为圣诞节准备的。为了这个惊喜，他开始变得有些尴尬但是依旧快速地离开房间。从那以后，他再没有在放学后待在学校。
Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. I have your present, he said timidly when I looked up. I hope you like it. He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.
圣诞的前一天，马克神神秘秘地进到教室，双手背在后面，好像还拿着些什么东西。我手上有给你的礼物，当我抬眼望向他时，他一本正经地对我说到，希望，你会喜欢。他打开双手，我看见一只小木盒躺在他的小手里。
Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it? I asked opening the top to look inside.
这真是太漂亮了，马克，这里面是不是有些什么东西?我请求着让他打开盖子让我看看里面的样子。
Oh you cant see whats in it, He replied, and you cant touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when youre all alone.
你不可以打开看喔，他回答道并且你不可以触摸它，尝它甚者连感知它都不可以，但是我的妈妈对我说过，这个东西会让人心情舒畅，会让人在寒冷的夜里感到温暖，让人在感到孤独的时候获得一份安全感。
I gazed into the empty box. What is it Mark, I asked gently, that will make me feel so good? Its love, he whispered softly, and mother always said its best when you give it away. And he turned and quietly left the room.
我瞥了瞥空空的小盒子，马克，着到底是什么呀?我试探着问他，它真的会给我带来好运么?这里面，是爱，他轻声地说到，我的妈妈总是跟我说，如果你带着他，你就会感觉很温暖很幸福。说完后，他转身，快速地离开了房间。
So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it.
到如今，我仍旧把那个简单的小木盒放置在我起居室的钢琴上。当朋友们带着疑问的眼神看着它时，我总微笑着告诉他们，这里面装着满满的爱。
Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.
没错，圣诞不失欢声也不是笑语，它带来好运与各种让人惊喜的礼物。但是，最重要的是，圣诞会让人感到爱意。圣诞，是为爱而生的。