Though the mode of celebration is different, most celebrate it as a festive season, with caroling, dinner feasts, gift-giving, and festivities that last from a week to a month, some starting on the Advent on November 26 and ending on January 6, with the feast of Epiphany.

“In Spain, we celebrate Christmas Day on December 25, as in most countries of the world, but the gifts are exchanged on January 6, which is the feast of the Three Wise Kings,” explained Journalism Teacher, Mrs. Maritza Gomez. Though she is not a native of Spain, she spent most of her childhood in Madrid, where she grew up as a kid until her parents came to this country when she was 11 years old.

“Christmas in Spain is not a huge commercial occasion as it is here in America,” she explained. “But it is a festivity that everyone enjoys from December 8 until January 6, when kids receive their gifts from the Three Wise Kings, not from Santa Claus, like in America and England. Christmas Eve is known as “Nochebuena” or “Good Night,” a time for family gatherings with dance and joyous feasting until the morning hours. Stores are beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and stuffed with Christmas merchandise with the beautiful mini-sized Belénes (Nativity scenes) that includes baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Kings, and the shepherds and their animals—depicting life in the village where Jesus, our Savior, was born.”

The United States borrowed many traditions from several European countries. From Spain and France, they learned to set up the nativity scene in each household, and from England and Australia, they learned to go around town, singing Christmas carols. We got the concept of Christmas trees from Germany, and Christmas parades from Latin America. And the belief of Santa Clause or Father Christmas came from the Netherlands.

There are more than 196 countries in the world, and a little more than 160 of them officially celebrate Christmas. Other countries like, Uruguay and Angola don’t refer to it as a religious holiday, but a Family Day.

Among all the cities around the world where Christmas is celebrated in a grand way is Bethlehem, the town where Jesus Christ was born. Here, Christmas Day is observed on different days, as Bethlehem consists of people of different Christian denominations—from Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox, to Armenians, Ethiopians, and others.

While Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas on December 25, Greek, Syrian and other Christians observe it on January 6. For Armenian Christians, Christmas Day is on January 18, which is why Bethlehem is the city with the longest Christmas celebrations than any other place. Christmas parades or processions usually pass through Manger Square, believed to be the location of the real site of Jesus’ birth.

Though many countries celebrate Christmas Day as a festive holiday with merry feasting and gorging on a luxurious meal, sadly, most people, especially the youngest generation, doesn’t know the true meaning for the celebration. They only know that it is a wonderful time to give and receive gifts, to get together with the family and friends for a wonderful, jolly holiday.

Here at CCA, we enjoy celebrating Christmas Day, our Lord Jesus’ birthday, with our family and friends. We set this time aside to worship together, dine together, and pray together, giving the Lord thanks for loving us so much that He sent His only Son to live among us for a time, and then rescue us for all eternity.

“Well, we celebrate both,” said a third parent. And there, in a fraction of a second, one parent personified the 45% of Christians who believe that Santa Claus is a harmless tradition, while another one represented the 43% who believes that the big man, Saint Nicholas, Fat man in a red suit, big guy with a bag, the “not so real reason for Christmas,” Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, but most commonly Santa Claus, should not be the image kids celebrate on Christmas time.

Then there’s the third parent who represented the 12% of Christians who celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also celebrate the Santa Claus myth. Both sides have valid arguments and evidence that supports their beliefs:

They Believe in the Santa Claus Myth because…

• It’s extremely legalistic to not tell kids about Santa.

• Children are deprived of a simple joy of  Christmas if you don’t let them believe in Santa Claus.

• Santa promotes sound biblical beliefs such as, generosity and kindness.

They DON’T Believe in the Santa Claus Myth because…

• Telling my kids about Santa is a lie. And lying to make a child enjoy the holiday more is not a compromise some are willing to make.

• The after effect of finding out that Santa is not real is naughty, not nice.

• The word Santa means Satan!

•  We should be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ alone for the season, not the gifts that a fictitious character will bring to a child down a chimney!

Now, as the subject of this debate came about, another parent who is an avid fiction reader and movie buff, said: “I love this line in the movie, The Usual Suspects, ‘The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.’ And then recently I read this blog of someone who quoted that line and then added: ‘To see Satan’s second greatest trick, we just have to look at the myth of Santa that has so captured our imaginations and become such a symbol of Christmas that Jesus has taken a back-of-the-sled seat to the jolly old guy in Yule popularity.’”

“I don’t mind people believing in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, for that matter, or making their children believe in them; that’s their business,” she added. “Most of us enjoy the fun surrounding the plump gift-giver and the cute bunny. Yet, I do lament the fact that Jesus’ birth and resurrection are forced to share the stage with make-believe characters.”

Senior, Kalley Hernandez, and her family adore Christmas and the spirit of the season. The Hernandez family will rent a pickup truck and pile in with blankets and pillows. Then, Mr. Hernandez will drive his family around the neighborhood at night to see all the sparkling Christmas lights on the local houses.

“Our family has always done this, and every year it’s priceless,” says Kalley. “We open our presents on Christmas morning, but we always open one gift on Christmas Eve. Although I love the thrill of waking up and opening presents, one gift the night before is just perfect.”

Michelle Giambrone, also a senior here at CCA, gathers with her family at a friend’s house on Christmas morning. Then, they kick off the day with a generous brunch. “It’s the way we’ve always done it, and I love it!” said Michelle.

CCA student, Katie Gottfried, has an interesting way of celebrating the holiday season. At the Gottfried’s house, Thanksgiving comes around twice a year. On December 25, they prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal, from the turkey and stuffing to the mashed potatoes and apple pie.

As Christmas Day rapidly approaches, take time to find out how your friends celebrate it. You might just learn that in Brazil, Father Christmas is called Papai Noel and their favorite feast is a Christmas meal of chicken, turkey, ham, rice, salad, pork, and fresh and dried fruits. Or if your friends are from Romania, and you get invited to their house on December 25, get ready to eat stuffed cabbage for lunch.

Both classes and small groups are planning trips and creative outings to help those in need, adding to the hundreds of ministry works currently in progress at Calvary Chapel.

High school visual arts teacher, Mr. Mark Merrill, and his Visual Endorsement class have been using their gifts in artistry in sharing the Gospel. This past Saturday, in Las Olas, the students set up their easels in a park and started to paint. As they worked, a crowd soon gathered around them. Their talents gave them the opportunity to talk with non-believers passing by, encouraging and sharing their faith.

Miss Noemi Klipfel and her small group are buying a third world family a goat through Samaritan’s Purse. This will provide the family with milk, and even a source of income if they sell the milk. Mrs. Stephanie Getty’s small group is writing letters to veterans and overseas armed forces. The possibilities in outreach are endless; it simply takes prayer and a step of faith.

High school English teacher, Mrs. Krissy Brown, is taking it a step further by partnering with the Eagle Troops Club, and help small groups get plugged in. Mondays after school, any small group can sign up to hang out with the VE kids. Activities range from face painting and playing kickball, to picnics and drama skits.

“This is a win-win opportunity. The students get to earn community service hours, your small group gets to bond while reaching out to others, and we all get to show the love of Christ to these amazing kids!” says Mrs. Brown.

Still, there are other small groups that take the time to just gather outside of campus, simply because it is a fun thing to do. Just before the Christmas break, Mrs. Gomez and Mrs. Peyton’s small group took a trip to a nearby park, where they had a fabulous time talking and sharing some delicious bakegoods, made each member of the group.

By uniting a small group, or gathering a group of friends or classmates, you can take one of the many opportunities offered to make a difference in the community, and have Him use you in a way unimaginable.

We are part of a generation; the image we give this generation is dependant on each individual’s character and actions. Are we as Christian teenagers giving the work of Christ our all in order to shape the image of our generation for the glorification of Christ?

Christianity is about loving God and loving others. We love God by trusting and following Him. However His ramifications are that we TELL! We are called to be His voice; the Creator needs to be heard. “All of us are called to communicate the gospel,” says Pastor Chet “We should all be evangelical and we should all have mission’s heart” Paul charges Timothy in Second Timothy chapter four to “do the work of an evangelist.” CCA students, God has not only called you to be set apart, but he HAS set you apart. You are God’s choice. He knows your giftings and He sees something in you that made you able to do this work. He has equipped us with the Holy Spirit. It’s time to start doing something to make God’s name greater.

“I don’t know what to say, I don’t have all the answers” This is a major factor along with “I’m scared” that prevents us from being able to minister to people that God places in our paths. “Peter and John were accosted by the Sanhedrin, even with their boldness they went back to the church and prayed to be bold.” Boldness is essential in sharing Christ’s story “the more opportunities you take to share your faith the more comfortable you get with it” explains Pastor Chet. Sharing your faith is an exciting journey, the gospel means “good story, it is truth. Why be afraid to communicate a good story?”

“I’m only one person” here’s another low blow that’s so common to yourself! We’ve all heard the saying; “it takes one person to make a difference.” While most of the time we roll our eyes at this cliché, our realization of the vital truth in these words is often overlooked. Adam was one man. Romans 5:12 says “Therefore just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men.” Adam changed the entire world with this action; one was enough to start this immoral epidemic.

Billy Graham was one man who radically changed the world for Christ. Martin Luther King Junior was one man who radically changed the world for Christ. The list could go on and on about the people who have gone down in history because they changed the world, but what about more familiar people? Who has changed your world by giving you insight by pouring themselves out to you in order to see you grow spiritually? Is it your parents, friend, mentor? Now it’s your job to pour your life for others, it’s time to let God use you to radically change someone’s life through His truths and His love.

Pastor Chet said, “If you capture the heart of a child you can change a Nation.” You are a child of God, has He captured your heart? 2 Timothy 4:2  “Preach the word! Be ready in season [and] out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

In Miss Laura Torres’ American Government class there was debate on this topic, as as they also discussed the seven roles of the president, which are Head of State, Chief Executive, Chief Legislator, Chief Diplomat, Commander and Chief, Party Leader, and Economic Planner.

“We have been talking in class about presidents, and what their roles are, and with the 2012 election coming up, I felt like it was a good time to discuss what the president is actually responsible for,” explained Ms. Torres. “We are reviewing our president now so we can have a good idea of what we want from our next president!”

Half of the students took the side that Barack Obama was indeed a good president. When Senior Samantha Whittall to explain her reasons for thinking this way, she said, “Well, he had Osama bin Laden killed, our troops are finally coming home, and he has passed a lot of bills while in office.”

Some of the bills Whittall is inferring is the “Cash For Clunkers Act,” a three billion dollar federal program that was set up to encourage Americans to trade in their old cars “clunkers” for cash to go buy a newer and more fuel efficient car. The other bill passed under Barack Obama’ administration was the “Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, a.k.a “The Hire Act”. The “Hire Act” gives businesses tax breaks and incentives to businesses to hire unemployed individuals.

The other half of the students took the side that Barack Obama was a bad president. They debated that over the past three years, America’s debt has skyrocketed a shocking and somewhat terrifying four trillion dollars!

Along with a ridiculous amount of debt, the students argued, we’ve also had the highest unemployment rate since The Great Depression. By the end of the year, the government believes that the unemployment rate will reach a stunning 9.1% of Americans not having a job. That means that by 2012, nearly twenty seven million Americans will be unemployed. Senior, David Brown commented, “America is not happy with where Obama is taking us and people are letting their voices be heard.”

The debate ended with this notion: whether some like him or not, Barack Obama is our president. And as Christians, we are called by God to listen to our leaders.

The Bible says in Hebrews 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” 

The fallout of this kind of pressure often involves a scenario where students are tempted to slack off in class and cheat their way through.

“You can break man’s laws, but you can never get away with breaking God’s laws,” observes David Salvatelli, CCA’s Director of Academics. “We need to develop who we are in Christ so that we don’t give in to temptation. CCA students who are diligent and true to the Lord and themselves set themselves apart from the world.”

And, dishonest devices are not the only counter-productive practices employed in the quest for success. The overcrowded schedules of the majority of students can cause them to cave in to the time crunch by cramming, rather than following a methodical course of study. Often the turnover of material is so fast and furious, that  “in one ear and out the other” is still considered ‘learning.’

“Students need to plan ahead and work diligently to glorify the Lord with what they’ve accomplished,” Mr. Salvatelli contends. “Plan the work, and work the plan—don’t just continue to “deal” with it. Stop and make a plan.”

According to Mr. Salvatelli, CCA is trying to break the cramming cycle by teaching our students to focus on and absorb the material instead of just memorizing it, as if it were a script for a play.

“Getting students back on the path to real learning as opposed to just getting grades, will take everyone’s concerted efforts—from parents, teachers, and mentors to students themselves,” he says. “They need to wake up and learn for themselves, and learn for the plans that the Lord has for them.”

According to the CollegeView, a website filled with expert advice on the college admissions process, “Most competitive colleges value standardized tests more than ever. Over the last 25 years, more and more competitive colleges have EMPHASIZED high test scores because it gives them a way to evaluate students with disparate school records.”

If you didn’t know, college admissions offices compete with one another for applicants. The most prominent survey, US NEWS, makes SAT / ACT scores a huge category for ranking the schools. Incoming GPA is not ranked in the US News survey. This means that students with high GPAs often lose in the admissions game to students with lower GPAs but higher SAT or ACT scores.

“Admissions offices also compete by offering the strongest candidates money, and the last 20 years have seen the flowering of MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS. Prior to 1990, scholarship money was awarded only to athletic recruits and to students with high financial need. Today, almost every competitive 4-year college awards scholarships to entice academic talent, and their assessment of “talent” is the SAT / ACT score.  Awards of $2,000 – $200,000 are based largely on SAT or ACT scores.”

So, you may think, well okay, SAT scores matter, but ACT scores? Reports show that the ACT’s are if not equal, more important than the SAT’s, depending on your learning style.  The SAT is a test that measures your ability to reason where as the ACT is a test that measures your acquired learning. So what exactly is the ACT? The ACT is a standardized test used to measure your acquired learning in a specific subject. The Sat is an intelligence test, which measures potential ability or learning capacity. The SAT also reflects how well you analyze and solve problems and literary writing skills.

The ACTs and SAT are both available for students because colleges realize that students do better on different kinds of tests. High school English Teacher, Mrs. Monica Remer, said, “ I would really encourage you to take both tests because colleges accept both test and you never know which one you will do better on.”

The Act is accepted at all colleges for admission. What most colleges do is take a cumulative score based on your best scores from each time you take the test. When you take the ACT, the writing portion is not required but is highly recommended even though some colleges may not use this portion of the test in their initial evaluation. Some colleges even compare this essay to your essays on your application. Colleges see these writing portions as proof that students can write at a college level and that they are prepared for college work.

The college readiness benchmark scores are a set of scores that give you a general idea on what your scores should be in order to get into a successful college. These scores are really the minimum scores that you should have when you apply to colleges. Your scores are suggested to be at least 18 for English, 22 for math, 21 for reading, and 24 for science. The highest score you can receive on an ACT test is 36.

In order to get bright futures, the scores needed to attain this scholarship increase per year. For instance, for the graduating class of 2012 and 2013, the cumulative required score is a 28. Where as in 2014 the required cumulative score is 29.

Calvary invests in many programs that help prepare students for both the SAT and the ACT, such as New England test prep and Aleks. For more materials to practice for your ACT’s, go to www.actstudent.org/sampletest.  If you are interested in taking the ACT’s, CCA is offering it on Febuary 11, and April 14, 2012.

It all began when Creative Director of CCA Communications Department, and Journalism Teacher, Mrs. Maritza Gomez was inspired to create the literary magazine. Being a writer herself, she has always had a passion for working with the upcoming generation, encouraging them to be the best they can be.

“It [the literary magazine] is just a way of encouraging the next generation to explore their arts,” Gomez stated. Mrs. Gomez is firm in her belief that there are many students who have talents that they, themselves, are not aware of.  Her goal is to ignite the light of the Arts, whether it is writing or pottery, painting or photography, inside of students. Last year was the first issue of Journey, and if all goes as planned, Gomez plans to have the magazine completed and distributed by May 2012.

Junior, Avery Reeder was inspired, and submitted a photo to the magazine, although she would not describe herself as “artsy.”  She said, “God used one of my own favorite photos and brought a deeper meaning to it, while also showing my ability to create art.” Reeder’s stunning picture, Flicker, was showcased in the last issue of Journey.

The photo was taken in an old church in Israel, but to Avery it is more than just a photograph. “My spiritual connection to Flicker was added after I took a good look at the picture,” she continued, “I remembered how the candles flickered, and I realized how much I did not want my relationship with Christ to flicker.” Reeder was honored to have her artwork displayed, and loved to see her finished product blown up on the page. She definitely plans on submitting more photographs for this upcoming issue.

All it took was for one person to be inspired, and now there is Journey. If you have found inspiration in the arts, you have the opportunity to compete to have your masterpiece in the upcoming issue of Journey. You can email your story, painting, poem, script, or any other form of art to Mrs. Gomez at maritzacg@ccaeagles.org no later that January 12, 2012.

Curiosity Killed the Cat by Amber Miller
It was Christmas Eve, ten years ago. I was five years old and very excited about Santa Claus coming the next day. The house smelled like fresh baked cookies and cake, and there was the usual hubbub, the swirl of holiday details in the house with all my family there. And then, my grandpa came over and called me to him, saying, “Amber, do you want to know the truth about Christmas?”

Never in my life to be at a loss for words, I said: “Yeah, yeah, yeah!” and got closer to my grandpa’s knee, expecting to hear a magical story. He pushed forward in the rocking chair and whispered, “Santa is not real.”

His words stopped everything that moved, and for the first time in my five years of life, my mouth flew open and stayed like that for what seemed like a year. In a millisecond my dreams were crushed. I didn’t understand. How could this be? I remembered the previous year, placing the cake and cookies with M&M’s on a plate made just for Santa. I saw them gone the next morning! How could that happen?

“Your parents ate the cookies and the cake, and drank the milk,” my grandpa explained. Now, my grandpa wasn’t a mean old man, or anything like that, he just didn’t believe in Santa Claus. He also didn’t believe in telling tales, especially around Christmas time, that wasn’t about Baby Jesus.

So, not wanting to believe what I knew in my heart was real, I went to my parents and asked them, “Really? You did this?”
“Well, yes, we did,” they confessed feeling sorry for me, and a tad mad with my grandpa. “We took turns every year eating the cake,” added my Mom, who smiled sheepishly as she looked over at my Dad. I guess neither expected to reveal their secret to me for another few years.  But, the cat was out of the bag.

I’ve always been curious about things, but I’m sure I didn’t want to know that! I don’t remember much more about that day, but I probably cried at some point, and then went to bed. The next morning we continued the tradition of gift-giving to celebrate the birth of Jesus. There were presents under the Christmas tree and I ran to see what I got.

So, curiosity killed the cat. No big deal. Some kids would have been traumatized by my adventure, but oh, no, not I. Every Christmas Eve, I just recall the story of when my grandpa told me about the truth of Santa Claus. The memory is as clear today as it was then.

The Attack of the Christmas Roaches by Connor Walcott
It was Christmas of 2004, and my Mom’s 40th birthday. To make this holiday memorable, my Dad decided to take my mom, my little brother and I camping. My Dad and I had visited the campsite towards the beginning of the year and had had a wonderful time. The trees were beautiful and the scenery was wonderful. Unbeknownst to us, a hurricane had touched down near the campsite several months before our Christmas trip, leaving a little surprise for us, would-be campers. When we arrived at the campsite, to our horror, we found that the hurricane had destroyed every single tree, leaving only scattered twigs where huge trees had once stood.

The campsite had been converted into a temporary trailer park for people whose homes had been destroyed by the hurricane. Since our reserved campsite had a trailer sitting on it, we were given a new spot: an empty concrete slab. As if things weren’t bad enough, it started pouring rain. My Dad attempted to set up our tent on the concrete, but, as he braved the downpour and the gale force winds (with the rest of us staring at him from the relative comfort of the family van),  he reluctantly admitted defeat.

We drove around until we found a motel. We checked in, unloaded our bags and then got some very disgusting take-out food for dinner. Despite a mix-up with our order, we were determined to make the best of things. We went back to our room and watched the movie, “Home Alone.” After a long day filled with disappointments and horrendous weather, we were glad to have something nice to do for a change. Things were starting to look a little better…that is, until we found out that we weren’t the only ones staying in the room.

You see, people whose houses had been destroyed by the hurricane were not only at the campsite, they were also staying in the motel. Those people brought food with them…and the food attracted some unwelcomed visitors.

The movie ended, we turned the lights back on and one by one, cockroaches of all sizes started to appear everywhere. At first, it seemed like there was only one or two. Those were dealt with swiftly and violently. However, after crushing the fourth roach, my Dad confessed that earlier, he had found a dead roach in the shower and a live one behind the toilet. He hadn’t said anything because he didn’t want to upset my Mom on this already upsetting day. Needless to say, we quickly gathered our things, got a refund and left the motel. We were able to get a room at another hotel that, thankfully, didn’t have surprise visitors of any kind.

Even though the trip was kind of a bummer, it wasn’t a complete waste. We got to spend quality roach-killin’ time together as a family. I can actually look back fondly, albeit squeamishly, on that trip: the trip that will always be known as…The Attack of the Christmas Roaches!

Small Packages by CCA Parent

In my family we used to make lists of what we wanted for Christmas, wish lists that hung on the refrigerator door for several months in advance, and had to include a range of things so that the kids could also participate in the purchase and wrapping.

The Christmas I turned nine I really wanted a watch. I listed it several times, amongst the other items of lesser import and price, and which I included only because that was the rule. All I really wanted was a watch. Where I grew up, getting a watch was a big deal. You couldn’t just go to Wal-Mart and buy a cheap watch – we didn’t have places like that, and my family didn’t have a lot of money, with four kids on the single salary of a college lecturer. Even with a birthday in December that could be ‘combined’ with Christmas, I knew a watch was going to be a stretch at best, and was highly unlikely. I didn’t even dare hope for it!

Our family used to place pillowcases under the tree. This was to keep the presents a closely-guarded secret and hence build the surprise value until the big day. In hindsight, though, I think it was to minimize the jealousies that inevitably arose amongst four children, inclined as we were to establish our expectations based on the sizes and quantity of the others’ gifts. Traditionally on Christmas, we opened gifts after church over mince pies, shortbread, nuts in their shells, and hot tea.

As a consolation (and probably so that we wouldn’t be too distracted during church) we were allowed to open one present before we went to church. But only one, and my dad picked out which one—of course, because he was one of two who knew what was in each pillowcase. We didn’t like the fact that he would pick the present, but it was either that or nothing until tea, so we went with it.

That Christmas morning, as we gathered in high excitement before church, I was quite chagrined when Dad placed an exceedingly small gift in my hand. I think he could see my disappointment, and I will never forget the expression on his face as he looked me in the eye, wordlessly conveying the message “trust me, this is the one you want to open, now, before we leave.”

Grudgingly and with extraordinarily low expectations, I accepted this one small gift before Christmas service and went to unwrap it in a corner chair. I prized open the lid of the cardboard jewelry box to see, lying in yellow cotton, the most beautiful Oris wristwatch, with tiny diamonds all around its face, winking up at me from beneath the glass. My world went quiet as I put it on my wrist, and held out my arm to admire it.

All through church I kept looking at my watch. Not to see the time, but just to admire it. At some point Mom whispered in my ear, “You see? The best gifts come in the smallest packages.”

The Gift by Kim Diaco, CCA Parent
There are many Christmas that we can always remember, but there is one that stands out in my mind. It was the Christmas of 2009.

In June of that year, our family experienced an extremely hard time. We had lost my brother suddenly to a very tragic situation, and two weeks later we lost my mother-in-law who suffered from cancer and been diagnosed only six weeks prior.

This was not the year for our family to do any type of celebrating during the holidays. This was most definitely going to be the hardest time for our family, and not just the adults, but for our kids as well. We used to spend our Christmas Eve’s at my mother-in-laws, where the kids would anxiously await the mounds of gifts Nana and Papa had for them. Well, this year was going to be a lot different.

As we gathered for Christmas Eve, we began our journey of starting a new tradition. The mounds of gifts are no longer awaiting, but what is still waiting is the love and time spent with family. Regardless of the storms we may go through, there is always reason to celebrate our Lord, especially His birth!

We realized, that while we were here on earth celebrating Jesus’ birth together, our loved ones were on the other side of Heaven’s gates, celebrating with Jesus and His angels. That by far is the best Christmas gift we received; the reassurance of knowing Him personally, and the comfort of one day being with Him.

Times Are Changing by a CCA Parent
My sister to my niece: “Drea, do you want to call Santa?”
My niece: “No.”
Me to my niece: “Why not?”
My niece: “ Because I already E-mailed the list to my Grammie!”

“Burst!” by Ceri Usmar
This one was handed down by my parents and it is, apparently, quite true. When I was three, we had Christmas at my grandparents’ house. My grandfather was a Baptist minister whose adoration of yours truly was exceeded only by mine for him. After our monstrous Christmas dinner, I went and cuddled up on his lap, which was something we used to do after meals and before bedtime.

After a while, Grandad said, “Mmmmm, I feel so full after eating Ceri for dinner.” A bit puzzled, I looked up at him and said, “No, you didn’t!”

“Oh yes,” he said, “She was so yummy, and I feel so full!”
“No,” I asserted, “You did not eat Ceri for dinner, Grandad, I am right here, look!” and I turned his face to look right into mine.
“Oh, but I did, and that’s why I feel so full,” Grandad said again.“Well,” I said, still pulling his face right up to mine, “If that’s true, then BURST!”
I suppose somewhere along the line I had heard the phrase, “I’m so full I could burst”!

Christmas–My Family’s Favorite Time of Year by Anna Maria Burnside
Many years ago, when I was still living with my parents, we used to celebrate Christmas—the birthday of Jesus Christ our God—in a big way. For our family, it was, and still is, the most important and especial time of the year.

My Mom would make delicious Italian cookies, pastries, and hayacas Venezolanas. I would help her in the kitchen all day along, cooking, stuffing, backing cookies, and having a special time together. My brothers and I would paint the house to make it look fresh and clean for this occasion, then we would decorate it with Christmas lights and build our Christmas tree to make it look beautiful. We even made our own nativity with newspaper, building the mountains carefully, painting them, and then placing the little animals and mini people all around.

The nativity was the last touch, which we placed on top of the mountain with lights and fake snow. We enjoyed so much spending time together. My father would bring panetones (bread filled with chocolates and fruits)—my favorite dessert from a nearby Italian shop.

A typical Spanish tradition is to celebrate Nochebuena on Christmas Eve. And on that day, my entire family would get together at my oldest brother’s house, where everyone would bring something—from sweet ham, pork, hayacas, to potato salad, cookies, cake, and and other delicious homemade goodies.

Christmas music was played all day long, as we enjoyed each other’s company. All the Christmas gifts were placed under my brother’s Christmas tree, and sometimes we couldn’t fit them all—there were so many presents! At dinnertime, we would set two tables for dinner, one for the adults, and one for the kids. The ladies usually served the food, while the men and kids sat at the tables, waiting to be served. When everyone was served, we would pray, thanking our Lord Jesus for our wonderful family—for the joy, love, and happiness it brought to our lives. Being all together was a gift, and we were all very thankful for that.

After eating dinner, we would dance, chat, and make jokes until midnight, when we would open the gifts. Our tradition was to sit around the tree, and call the names on the gifts, one by one, until everybody had theirs in their hands. Then, we all opened them at the same time. We would go around thanking each other for the gifts we received from that person, hugging them, and wishing them Merry Christmas.

The noise in the house was awesome. There was so much of it! From the adults’ laughter to the kids’ noisy toys, like the trains and musical instruments. But the night wasn’t over. My family and I would go around our neighborhood, wishing a Merry Christmas to all the neighbors, as the kids played in the streets until it was time to go home.

These were the most precious moments of my life, and I will never forget them.