Wednesday, December 12, 2007

In the right spirit of things


Employees of Everland amusement park dressed in Santa Claus outfits take a Santa Claus qualifying examination during a promotional event for the Christmas holiday season at the amusement park in Yongin, about 50 km (31 miles) south of Seoul, December 5, 2007. About 30 employees took part in a one-day course at its Santa Claus school and will serve customers as Santa Clauses.

REUTERS/Han Jae-ho





A police inspector wearing a Santa Claus hat helps an elderly woman down a flight of stairs in Manila. Some 1,000 policemen are made to wear Santa hats while on patrol during the holiday season.

Aaron Favila - AP

Great how the Christmas Season, in all its religious and secular expression, seems more accepted at times, in other parts of the world, than it is here, in America.

My computer is still in the shop. I'm hoping that maybe it's just the video card. Anyway, I'm typing from a library computer, with only 34 minutes remaining on my time.

Heard about this on the Dennis Prager program this morning: In One Village, Making a Balanced Display for Two Celebrations.

What are your thoughts? I'd type mine out, but...my time here is limited. The "right click" function seems to be disabled on this computer, too. Grrr...

Anyway, today, I handed out 13 origami roses to my intermediate class, today. Each one takes me about an hour-and-a-half to fold. These girls have been working pretty diligently. I have a few Jewish kids and one who is a sikh. I told them these were Christmas presents. Not "winter" presents. Not "holiday" presents. Not "end-of-the-year" presents. CHRISTMAS presents. "It doesn't matter if you don't celebrate Christmas; I do. I'm not Christian but I celebrate the American tradition of Christmas, and respect its deeper religious meanings to those who do celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. So, take the gifts in the spirit in which they are given. And have yourselves a Merry Christmas."

I didn't say this in so many words; but one girl did say, "but I'm not Christian!" And yet she did not seem willing to surrender up the paper rose, back to me....



Labels: , , , , ,

8 Comments:

Blogger SkyePuppy said...

Beautiful! There's something about the Christmas spirit that touches hearts around the world. You don't have to be a Christian to know the joy of giving.

Gorgeous roses, Word!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 11:37:00 AM  
Blogger Bloviating Zeppelin said...

God bless ya for that, Wordsmith! If only MORE people thought that way. You don't HAVE to be a Christian to enjoy the SPIRIT of the season!

Merry Christmas to you!

BZ

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 2:31:00 PM  
Blogger Karen Townsend said...

What a lovely gift you gave. And the little lesson on Christmas is good, too. I'm so tired of all the nonsense.

Christmas is a Federal holiday, too. I notice those of all faiths participate in that aspect!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 3:14:00 PM  
Blogger Dionne said...

A great post and well said!! Oh, yes and Skye leaked about her rose so the demand by some of the rest of us will soon start ;-))).

I feel for you having to use the library computer. I had to use one when we visited my parents in Michigan and it was a nightmare. A friend of mine does it all the time but I can't fathom.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 6:25:00 PM  
Blogger WomanHonorThyself said...

aw..good luck with the PC!..nice uplifting post Word~!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 9:52:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I absolutely love the picture of the cops helping the old woman. Great shot.

Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:46:00 PM  
Blogger Marie's Two Cents said...

That was a beautiful Post Word,

Christmas seems to bring out the best in people :-)

I like that this is a CHRISTMAS PRESENT! Not A Holiday Present lol

Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:53:00 PM  
Blogger The WordSmith from Nantucket said...

skyepuppy and b-zeppelin,

I don't believe you have to be Christian to celebrate the joys of Christmas. I think I wrote a post a year or so ago, regarding how the commercialism and secularization of Christmas, isn't completely a bad thing, but a positive. It makes the occasion and the acceptance of Christmas accessible to a wider berth of people, and more universally celebrated.

karen,

Well said.

dee,

If I have the time, I'll send more out. I dread the lines, though.

angel,

Thanks for the support!

jenn,

I love it too. I have another shot of them, which I am planning to post for a "caption this" (Mike's favorite kind of post, here).

I'm glad I already had these photos uploaded in a draft, since I don't have access to my computer photos.

marie,

I simply don't understand why the over-reactive fear of the words "Christmas" and "religion", when it comes to all things Christian, in this country. I think concepts of multiculturalism and diversity have done much harm and promotion of intolerance in our society.

I should have my computer back today, btw. I could have picked it up earlier, but I've been so busy. The problem was only with the power supply. So no big deal. Phew!

Thursday, December 13, 2007 1:37:00 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home


Day By Day© by Chris Muir.

© Copyright, Sparks from the Anvil, All Rights Reserved