Helping¹ Others

美国方式：帮助他人 

Christmas in America means different things to different people. To some people, Christmas means brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree. To others, it means family reunions and a wonderful meal together. To Christians², it means Jesus' birthday. Christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. Along with all the hubbub³ of shopping for presents and sending Christmas cards, many people in America take time to help others.

在美国，圣诞节对不同的人代表了不同的意义。对某些人而言，圣诞节的意义是在布置好的圣诞树底下那些包装得色彩鲜艳的礼物。对另外一些人而言，它的意义则是家人团圆以及共享美好的一餐。对基督徒来说，它代表了耶稣的诞生。圣诞节的意义也是向需要帮助的人伸出援手。在采购礼物及寄送圣诞卡片的一阵忙乱当中，很多美国人仍会拨出时间去帮助别人。

In America and around the world, Christmas offers many opportunities to spread "peace on earth, good will toward men." For example, Salvation⁴ Army bell ringers are a familiar sight to most Christmas shoppers. They stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy⁵. Many churches and other organizations collect toys and clothes as Christmas gifts for poor families. Going caroling is another traditional way to bring cheer to neighbors--especially the elderly and people who can't get out much. The Christmas spirit encourages people to help each other in many large and small ways.

在美国及全世界各地，圣诞节提供了很多传扬「平安与世，善意与人」的机会。例如，救世军的摇铃者对大多数为圣诞节购物的人们而言，是一个熟悉的景象。他们通常会站在购物中心和商店外面，为有需要的人募钱。很多教会和其它的机构会收集玩具和衣服，作为穷苦家庭的圣诞礼物。报佳音是另外一种能够将欢乐带给邻舍的传统方式，尤其是针对那些老人和无法常出门的人。圣诞节的精神鼓励人们在许多大大小小的事情上互相帮助。

The spirit of helping others isn't limited to Christmas, however. Americans help others year-round. Civic⁶ clubs such as the Lion's Club, the Elk's Club and the Rotary⁷ Club take part in local community projects. Many organizations exist just to help others. The Make a Wish Foundation gives terminally ill children a chance to have their dream come true. Habitat for Humanity helps poor people build their own houses. And besides supporting worthy⁸ causes with their money, thousands of Americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.

然而，助人的精神并不只有在圣诞节才能发挥。美国人一年到头都在帮助他人。像狮子会(Lion's Club)、角鹿社(Elk's Club)、扶轮社(Rotary Club)这样的市民会社，都参与了地方社区的计划活动。很多机构的设立就是为了要助人。许愿基金会(Make a Wish Foundation)给罹患末期疾病的孩童们一个美梦成真的机会；仁爱之家(Habitat for Humanity)则帮助穷苦的人们建盖属于他们自己的房子。成千上万的美国人除了以金钱支持一些有意义的事情之外，他们也献出自己的时间在医院、流浪者之家和学校作义工服务。

As the old saying goes, "Charity begins at home"--but it doesn't stop there. Americans are concerned about helping needy people in other countries, as well. The U.S. is often one of the first countries to provide relief to areas of the world in severe need. Many American organizations reach out to suffering people in other countries. Some of them have programs by which donors⁹ can sponsor needy children. For a certain amount per month, people can provide these children with food, clothing and education.

正如一句古老的谚语所说：「仁爱从家里开始。」但它却不是就停在那里。美国人也很关心于帮助其它国家中有需要的人们。对于世界各地极需援助的地区，美国经常是首先提出救援的国家之一。很多美国机构向其它国家中的苦难人民伸出援手。捐献者可以透过某些机构中的一些计划去赞助有需要的孩童。人们每个月只要捐出某个特定的数目，就可以提供食物、衣服和教育给这些孩童们。

Americans not only give money to help people in other countries; often they give themselves, as well. Many people serve as volunteers with the Peace Corps¹⁰ for two years to provide assistance in some needy part of the world. They dig wells, help people improve farming techniques, build medical clinics and teach English. In addition, thousands of missionaries¹¹ from America and other countries have devoted¹² their lives to helping people. They have built schools, hospitals, orphanages¹³ and churches in order to share God's love with those in need.

美国人不仅捐钱去帮助其它国家的人，他们常常也会奉献出自己。很多人志愿在「和平工作团」服务两年，去帮助世界上那些需要援助的地方。他们挖水井、帮助人们改善农业技术、盖医疗诊所以及教英文。除此之外，成千上万来自美国及其它国家的宣教士，已投注了他们的生命去帮助别人。他们盖学校、医院、孤儿院和教堂，将上帝的爱跟那些处在困境中的人分享。

As long as there are people in need, helping others will remain an important task. Americans are not the only ones who believe in helping others. People in every culture recognize that being helpful is one of the greatest virtues¹⁴ in life, as well as one of the sweetest joys. The Christmas season is a great time to renew our commitment to help people in need. We never know when we might need a little help ourselves.

只要有人需要援助，帮助别人就仍然是一件重要的事。美国人并不是唯一相信应该帮助别人的人。每一个文化中都会有人体认到，帮助别人是生命中最伟大的美德之一，也是最甜美的喜乐之一。圣诞节是一个绝佳的时机，可以让我们重新许下承诺去帮助有需要的人。我们永远不会知道，什么时候自己可能也需要一点帮助呢？