4 . Different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways. We asked some of our friends to explain what happens in their countries. This is what they told us:

France

In France, Christmas is always called Noël. Everyone has a Christmas tree, sometimes decorated in the old way with red ribbons and real white wax candles. Fir trees in the garden are often decorated too with lights on all night.

Father Christmas is called Père Noël. The Christmas meal is an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine. Few people send Christmas cards. More people send New Year cards to wish everyone good luck and joy for the New Year. These days Christmas lunch is a starter of foie gras (a strong tasting pate made from goose liver) followed by lunch of seafood — usually including lobsters and oysters.

New Zealand

Christmas starts for us with gifts under the tree, to be opened on Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at one’s parents place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings (佐料) is eaten. Then comes tea time. It is a BBQ for friends and family to get together, and have a few beers or wines with the meal!

Russia

In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time — when “Father Frost” brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old “Julian” calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and “meat dumplings”.

Sweden

The most important day is Christmas Eve. A special Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve — ham (pork), herring fish, and brown beans — and this is the time when families give presents to each other. Many people attend a church meeting early on Christmas Day.

5 . I’m much more used to the simple language of chopsticks. To me, the art of chopsticks______more than any silver knives or forks ever could.

My grandfather’s language of love is ______. I still remember his______clearly, “Only your first two fingers should be moving, and your two chopsticks must never cross.” He can use chopsticks______. He shows me chopstick tricks and we play games with chopsticks,

What about my ______? No doubt it is ______. In her hand, chopsticks are no longer just cutlery (餐具), ______ a tool to show her concern. “Come, ______ more,” she always says while using chopsticks to ______ food for me. When my grandfather co mes home from a long day’s work,______ all the nagging (唠叨) that she gives to him, my grandmother always,______ places the best part of their food onto his plate with chopsticks, and takes the ______ for herself. There is no need for any words, when the love can be ______ with a pair of chopsticks.

Using chopsticks ______ practice, patience and perseverance ( 毅 力). After more than fifty years of marriage, my grandparents are still ______ it and practising it, with every meal and every mouthful.