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.

　　圣誕為愛而生，為歡樂而存在，我們分享我們收獲，這里充滿著歡笑，這一天，親朋好友得以歡聚，裝扮得靚麗閃耀的屋子里，充滿著歡聲笑語。但是，最重要的，圣誕是一個為愛而生的節日。起初，我并不贊同這一點，但一次的圣誕節上，一個臉頰紅撲撲有著一雙天真善良的大眼睛的小學生給我送上圣誕禮物的時候，我堅信，圣誕節是一個充滿著愛與溫情的節日。

　　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歲的馬克，從小跟著他的阿姨長大。一個中年少婦帶著自己姐姐遺留下來的孩子，沒有抱怨沒有怨言。她從來沒有提醒年輕的馬克,如果不是她的慷慨,他將是一個流浪漢,無家可歸的流浪兒。雖然也會有責罵也會有受苦的時候，但家，讓成為一個甜蜜和溫柔的孩子。

　　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.

　　起初我并沒有注意到馬克的性格，直到他每天放學后幫助我清理房間。那期間的幾個小時，我們彼此都很享受，我們沒有過多的交談，我們享受著那段時間里的清凈。當我們交談時，馬克主要談的就是他的媽媽。盡管他的媽媽再他很小的時候便離開了他，但是他清晰地記得他的母親是一位善良、優雅并且內心充滿著愛的女士，她總是盡可能地陪伴在馬克的身邊。

　　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?

　　圣誕節臨近，馬克卻不能留在學校。我期待著他能來，多天過去后，他依舊是一放學后就蹦蹦跳跳地走了。我忍不住上前攔住他，詢問他為什么放學后都沒在來幫我打掃。我告訴他我有多么的想念他，他閃爍著他灰色的眼睛，如同它因緊張說話的頻率一樣地快你真的想我嗎?

　　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.

　　我對他說，他已經成為了我最好的幫手，我正在為你準備驚喜，他小聲而鄭重地對我耳語是為圣誕節準備的。為了這個驚喜，他開始變得有些尷尬但是依舊快速地離開房間。從那以后，他再沒有在放學后待在學校。

　　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.

　　圣誕的前一天，馬克神神秘秘地進到教室，雙手背在后面，好像還拿著些什么東西。我手上有給你的禮物，當我抬眼望向他時，他一本正經地對我說到，希望，你會喜歡。他打開雙手，我看見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.

　　這真是太漂亮了，馬克，這里面是不是有些什么東西?我請求著讓他打開蓋子讓我看看里面的樣子。

　　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.

　　你不可以打開看喔，他回答道并且你不可以觸摸它，嘗它甚者連感知它都不可以，但是我的媽媽對我說過，這個東西會讓人心情舒暢，會讓人在寒冷的夜里感到溫暖，讓人在感到孤獨的時候獲得一份安全感。

　　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，馬克，著到底是什么呀?我試探著問他，它真的會給我帶來好運么?這里面，是愛，他輕聲地說到，我的媽媽總是跟我說，如果你帶著他，你就會感覺很溫暖很幸福。說完后，他轉身，快速地離開了房間。

　　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，我仍舊把那個簡單的小木盒放置在我起居室的鋼琴上。當朋友們帶著疑問的眼神看著它時，我總微笑著告訴他們，這里面裝著滿滿的愛。

　　Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

　　沒錯，圣誕不失歡聲也不是笑語，它帶來好運與各種讓人驚喜的禮物。但是，最重要的是，圣誕會讓人感到愛意。圣誕，是為愛而生的。