美國方式：幫助他人

Helping Others

美國方式：幫助他人

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 Christians, it means Jesus' birthday. Christmas also means lending a helping hand to people in need. Along with all the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending Christmas cards, many people in America take time to help others.

在美國，聖誕節對不同的人代表了不同的意義。對某些人而言，聖誕節的意義是在佈置好的聖誕樹底下那些包裝得色彩鮮豔的禮物。對另外一些人而言，它的意義則是家人團圓以及共享美好的一餐。對基督徒來說，它代表了耶穌的誕生。聖誕節的意義也是向需要幫助的人伸出援手。在採購禮物及寄送聖誕卡片的一陣忙亂當中，很多美國人仍會撥出時間去幫助別人。

In America and around the world, Christmas offers many opportunities to spread "peace on earth, good will toward men." For example, Salvation Army bell ringers are a familiar sight to most Christmas shoppers. They stand outside malls and stores collecting money for the needy. 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.

在美國及全世界各地，聖誕節提供了很多傳揚「平安與世，善意與人」的機會。例如，救世軍的搖鈴者對大多數爲聖誕節購物的人們而言，是一個熟悉的景象。他們通常會站在購物中心和商店外面，爲有需要的人募錢。很多教會和其它的機構會收集玩具和衣服，作爲窮苦家庭的聖誕禮物。報佳音是另外一種能夠將歡樂帶給鄰舍的傳統方式，尤其是針對那些老人和無法常出門的人。聖誕節的精神鼓勵人們在許多大大小小的事情上互相幫助。

The spirit of helping others isn't limited to Christmas, however. Americans help others year-round. Civic clubs such as the Lion's Club, the Elk's Club and the Rotary 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 worthy causes with their money, thousands of Americans donate their time by serving as volunteers in hospitals, homeless shelters and schools.

然而，助人的精神並不只有在聖誕節才能發揮。美國人一年到頭都在幫助他人。像獅子會(Lion's Club)、角鹿社(Elk's Club)、扶輪社(Rotary Club)這樣的市民會社，都參與了地方社區的計劃活動。很多機構的設立就是爲了要助人。許願基金會(Make a Wish Foundation)給罹患末期疾病的孩童們一個美夢成真的機會；仁愛之家(Habitat for Humanity)則幫助窮苦的人們建蓋屬於他們自己的房子。成千上萬的美國人除了以金錢支持一些有意義的事情之外，他們也獻出自己的時間在醫院、流浪者之家和學校作義工服務。

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 donors can sponsor needy children. For a certain amount per month, people can provide these children with food, clothing and education.

正如一句古老的諺語所說：「仁愛從家裏開始。」但它卻不是就停在那裏。美國人也很關心於幫助其它國家中有需要的人們。對於世界各地極需援助的地區，美國經常是首先提出救援的國家之一。很多美國機構向其它國家中的苦難人民伸出援手。捐獻者可以透過某些機構中的一些計劃去贊助有需要的孩童。人們每個月只要捐出某個特定的數目，就可以提供食物、衣服和教育給這些孩童們。

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 Corps 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 missionaries from America and other countries have devoted their lives to helping people. They have built schools, hospitals, orphanages and churches in order to share God's love with those in need.

美國人不僅捐錢去幫助其它國家的人，他們常常也會奉獻出自己。很多人志願在「和平工作團」服務兩年，去幫助世界上那些需要援助的地方。他們挖水井、幫助人們改善農業技術、蓋醫療診所以及教英文。除此之外，成千上萬來自美國及其它國家的宣教士，已投注了他們的生命去幫助別人。他們蓋學校、醫院、孤兒院和教堂，將上帝的愛跟那些處在困境中的人分享。

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 virtues 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，幫助別人就仍然是一件重要的事。美國人並不是唯一相信應該幫助別人的人。每一個文化中都會有人體認到，幫助別人是生命中最偉大的美德之一，也是最甜美的喜樂之一。聖誕節是一個絕佳的時機，可以讓我們重新許下承諾去幫助有需要的人。我們永遠不會知道，什麼時候自己可能也需要一點幫助呢？