The "W" in Christmas

[inkhana]

I'm pretty sure I sent this to CAA last year, but I'm pretty sure there are some of you who haven't yet seen this.

(sorry about the messed up line length; it was a forward...-_-)

[quote="Author unknown"]
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and
peaceful experience.

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments,
and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his
school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be
working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining
moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress
rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend
that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed
happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I
filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down.
Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.
Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the
front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one,
to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for
Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy,"
and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the
complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her]

[Icarus]

Awesome.

[Danyasaur]

AW MAN! that last part would make a sweet poster!

[andyroo]

That's pretty cool.

[Link Antilles]

Cool, indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[ShiroiHikari]

Aww, how sweet. That was a good one Ink, thanks fer sharing :]

[Rachel]

wow...i got teary eyed.

[Straylight]

That's a nice story

[TheMelodyMaker]

I heard that in our pastor's sermon last week; and I think I'd heard it somewhere even before that. It is indeed good. ^_^

[cbwing0]

Charming story.

I guess there were no atheist parents in the audience.

[Fsiphskilm]

I like it. Hey, come to think of it, How come in schools our kids

[cbwing0]

The figure of Santa Claus allows non-Christians to celebrate Christmas without necessarily recognizing that it is really about Christ. To be fair, it does also provide a cute, happy story to tell little children, complete with decorations and gifts. I mean, it wouldn't be as easy for children to understand if their parents told them that Jesus gives the presents, or that we are getting them for HIS birthday. Santa also appeals to man's desire for a law: if you are naughty you get nothing, if you're nice you get rewarded.

As for the lack of education about the true meaning of Christmas, it is unforunate to say that in the United States the information taught in schools is more often designed to satisfy pressure groups or meet standardized testing requirements than to achieve factual accuracy/exhaustiveness.

[Asmi-chan]

SUGOI! That was such a wonderful story! Must send an e-mail to friends now! Meri Kurisumasu!:)