【英语时差8,16】圣诞节大受欢迎的天使

Angels are found in various and sundry¹ ways at Christmas－from garishly² blinking figures made of plastic to biblically-inspired images dressed in classic garments.

Those who opt³ for such items as gifts or decorations quickly find themselves dealing⁴ with a symbol of devotion into which the New Age scene is blossoming as well.

Juergen Lipp, who has a bookstore specializing in esoteric articles in Hamburg, Germany, likes to surround himself with angels in numerous forms.

"Angels are so beautifully descriptive," Lipp said. Angels are a favorite symbol for people who want to celebrate Christmas not in a strictly⁵ religious sense, but rather in a more spiritual way, added Lipp.

But buyers should use caution when including angel-related items among the gifts they are giving.

It can easily backfire, said style consultant⁶ Jan Schaumann of Berlin. Such things are not everyone's taste, especially older people.

"Many youths might think, 'Wow, what a cool thing,' looking at a gaudy⁷ blinking plastic cross, but people who connect more to the cross find such an item perhaps tasteless."

Protestant minister Hinrich Westphal of Hamburg is critical of the way angels are marketed nowadays.

"It's mostly done to make cash registers ring," Westphal said.

Schaumann said tacky Christmas decorations are detrimental⁸ to the contemplative nature of Christmas. "Many people are pulling away from over-the-top light shows in their apartments," he added.

1 sundry   

adj.各式各样的，种种的

参考例句：

• This cream can be used to treat sundry minor injuries.这种药膏可用来治各种轻伤。
• We can see the rich man on sundry occasions.我们能在各种场合见到那个富豪。

2 garishly   

adv.鲜艳夺目地，俗不可耐地；华丽地

参考例句：

• The temple was garishly decorated with bright plastic flowers. 鲜艳的塑料花把教堂装扮得很华丽。 来自互联网

3 opt   

vi.选择，决定做某事

参考例句：

• They opt for more holiday instead of more pay.他们选择了延长假期而不是增加工资。
• Will individual schools be given the right to opt out of the local school authority?各个学校可能有权选择退出地方教育局吗？

4 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

5 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

6 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

7 gaudy   

adj.华而不实的；俗丽的

参考例句：

• She was tricked out in gaudy dress.她穿得华丽而俗气。
• The gaudy butterfly is sure that the flowers owe thanks to him.浮华的蝴蝶却相信花是应该向它道谢的。

8 detrimental   

adj.损害的，造成伤害的

参考例句：

• We know that heat treatment is detrimental to milk.我们知道加热对牛奶是不利的。
• He wouldn't accept that smoking was detrimental to health.他不相信吸烟有害健康。