Getting Ready for Christmas

Wow, this year is going so fast. The holiday’s really snuck up on me. The last four months have seemed like an endless flurry of events. I really feel as if my feet have not yet touched the ground since I arrived here in August.

I do know that Christmas is one of the most important holidays in my country, and each year it is my greatest hope that I can communicate the true meaning of Christmas with my students, friends, and everyone else in my life here.

Each year I take one class period and explain the culture of Christmas to all of my students. Many of them know things about Christmas. Usually, their knowledge is limited to Santa Claus, gifts, and Christmas trees. In addition to explaining those things, I try to explain to them that Christmas is much more than that. I tell them the reason that we give gifts and why we started to do that some two thousand years ago. It is always so amazing to see the wonder in their eyes when they begin to understand the true meaning of Christmas.

They are so excited to get involved in the tradition. This year, I’ve had about 120 students help me with things like making Christmas decorations, setting up the Christmas tree, and preparing for the Christmas party that I have each year.



I’ll be having two parties this year. This Saturday will be a Christmas Party for teachers, friends, other foreigners, and university students. Sunday is the party for my students. This year I have 788 students, and last year I had 783. I am expecting to get invaded on Sunday. I am projecting that there will be at least four or five hundred students coming and going. This last Sunday there were about sixty students here just to help me to decorate. It will be interesting to say the least.

Although I am not in the States, it still feels as if the hustle and bustle of Christmas know no geographic boundaries. However, it is great to know that many people will come to a new understanding of Christmas and what it truly means.

Also, I would like to send my warmest Christmas wishes to all who read this. Forget the shopping. Forget the bearded fat man. Forget the lights and the trees. May you come to know and revel in the true meaning and mysteries of Christmas. God bless you all!

"Great little One! whose all-embracing birth,
Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth."
-Richard Crashaw

Comments

Mercury said…
Merry Christmas to U, too~~BTW,where do you get all these quotes?
December 21, 2008 at 1:02 AM
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