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.

“Worship music is vital to our growth with God, and Oceans Edge offers the opportunity to grow not only musically, but also spiritually,” said OE director, Doug Farrar.

Students have noticed the difference. “I have really been stretched in who I am as a leader, as an individual, and spiritually,” said Christine Moua. Zac Cider agreed: “I came here originally for music, but the way I grew spiritually was incredible. I am more thankful for that now than how I grew musically.”

Of course OE stands out from secular schools, but it is even different from other Christian schools. For one thing, it’s a relatively small school, allowing more ministry amongst students, and more one-on-one coaching from teachers. In addition, students have more opportunity for ‘hands-on’ leadership.

“Some of the other schools I looked into didn’t put as much trust in their students as they do here,” said Zac. “Here we get the chance to lead worship, to step out of our comfort zone and do what God has called us to do.”

Being set apart for God and from others is an intentional strategy. “We don’t want to be a typical college,” Farrar said. “We think and teach out of the box, and we don’t just read a book about it—we actually do it, because we’re here to take students where they’re at and make them what God would have them be.”

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.”