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| Christmas 2011 was our first
Christmas at this apartment in Xiamen. We also went to Metro in late
November to buy a Christmas tree (we had only a tiny in in Zhangzhou the
previous year). In fact, the "Metro" tree is the biggest we've ever had in
China, and it was a lot of fun to put it together and decorate it! We also
got to do other things with students, like sing on Gulangyu and hold a
party a D'cups Coffee Bar. |
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On the first
Sunday of
Advent, these special students got to help us
decorate our apartment. Most had never decorated a Christmas tree before.
They also got to enjoy American pancakes for the first time!
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In mid-December,
I was asked to help lead a Christmas music program on nearby Gulangyu
island (in the historic Union Church building). These students & friends volunteered
to learn several songs so they could also participate.
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(Above left) We bought a new Christmas tree
this year (the biggest we've ever had); here it is in the box, with three
guys ready to help me put it together. (Above right) Once the unboxed tree
looks like a tree, we hand out ornaments, often explaining their
significance. (Bottom left) Vivian said the students looked like Charlie
Brown's friends decorating their tree (we love watching
Snoopy's Christmas each year). (Bottom
right). Other Advent parties include "board game night" and a chance to
make personal greeting cards for friends (not shown). Each night, we take
a break for refreshments and to light an Advent candle while reading about
the historical Christmas story. Most of our guests have never heard it
before, so their responses and wonder make the familiar events "ever new"
to us too! |
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(Above) Every
other university I've worked for in China has allowed us to throw a big
party on campus for students. We couldn't get permission this year, but
D'Cups--a local coffee bar--came to the rescue. We packed one wing with
students who were interested in learning about the music and history of
Christmas. We had a wonderful time, singing, sharing, and drawing names
out of a stocking hat to give away prizes!
We took lots
more photos, but since it took me until March to post these,
I doubt that
I'll find time to edit and post any more...until next year's celebration!
(To learn more about Christmas, see these Christmas pages on our
website: the traditional Christmas story,
who is Santa (圣诞老人)?,
candy canes,
Christmas Perspectives (poem), and the pre-Christmas Advent season.
Also look for Christmas wallpaper
here. You'll also find movie study guides on this website for some
great holiday films: A
Snoopy/Charlie Brown Christmas, Last Holiday,
White Christmas, The
Grinch, Christmas Carol,
It's
a Wonderful Life)
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