Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas. That is what most people imagine about Christmas. But what does Christmas actually mean to people? Claiming that the center of gravity for Christmas is family, Wayland celebrates with their kin in many special ways.
Christmas for junior Selina Adler involves eating duck and watching family videos. Adler said, “I don't celebrate because of the religion; I celebrate because I love my family.\"
With her consanguineal family, art instructor Ms. Boucher celebrates in a Catholic atomsphere. Although admitting that she is “not as religious as her mother would like her to be,” Ms. Boucher said, “Religion plays a large part in our traditions, including having a nativity scene on the mantel and going to Christmas mass. Traditions are comforting, and I like festivity.”
Having a Lutheran husband and knowing her history, Boucher also observed that “a lot of religions center celebrations around the winter solstice.”
Jacqueline Hill said, “I wish I could go back to the magic of believing in Santa.” When she was little, she explained, she baked a cake for Jesus. Now she wonders how she would have delivered it to him. Hill also relished the ritual of making reindeer food, which included oatmeal, chopped up carrots, and glitter. Sprinkled on the lawn, the glitter was meant to attract the reindeer. Next to the traditional milk and cookies, Jacqueline also left two large carrots for Santa to share with the reindeer.
Jacqueline continued warmly, “I love having a real Christmas trees with beautiful lights; it brings back memories of when my parents where together.”
Concerned that “a lot of our religious holidays are going to be put on the back burner as we are being introduced to other holidays,” she reminded everyone that “our Christian holidays have helped shape this nation.”
As proof of her theory of the disappearing of Christian holidays, Jacqueline said her mother was not allowed to put Christmas or Easter decorations up around her workplace at Horicon Bank.
Christy Rojas shared that “Christmas is a time where I get to hang out with my family and forget about the greed and competition that consumes some people at Christmas.”
Although “Muslims don't celebrate Christmas,” Mac Shihab said, “After Ramadan, we have Eid, the Festival of Breaking the Fast.”
Mac also explained that different families celebrate Eid in unique ways. After inviting the family over, with relatives bringing a food dish, the family shares a large meal together. The feast has numerous entrees including grape leaves stuffed with rice with lemon squirted over the top; numerous types of chicken; kofta, or long sticks of meat; and shrimp, cake, soda, tea, and coffee. His family gives gifts of new clothes to each other, and if your are younger you might receive money or other gifts.
Choir director Mr. Mientus said, “I am a Christian and Christmas is a time where people should be reminded to give to their family, their community, and strangers.”
His wish for Christmas would be that “people would remain in the caring spirit all year long.”
Matt Hernandez said that his family waits expectantly all Christmas Eve until midnight when the party starts and people open gifts.
Irma Rosas said the meaning of Christmas for her is “the birth of Christ.”
Flowing with enthusiasm for Christmas, Jill Neitzel said, “I love Christmas, not because the gifts, but because there are beautiful lights everywhere, and people are nice and happy.”
Jill said she even enjoys the Christmas commercials. Jill said that because her extended family is so large, everyone takes a plate and walks around while eating their Christmas feast.
Completely in love with Christmas, Brooke Schumann said, “I go to my grandparents house on Christmas eve and we have a delicious ham dinner, then on Christmas day, we wake up to cinnamon rolls and presents.” Brooke also said that “it is better to give than to receive since Christmas is all about sharing with others.”
Focusing “mainly on family and not the religious basis,” Josh Block said, “We have pizza on Christmas eve, sleep in till noon on Christmas day, have a movie marathon of the Christmas Story, and then we go out for Chinese.”
Last year, Carmel Assa went to her friend's house for Christmas, ate pork, and received a Barbie as a present.
Christmas is Elli Deri-Sproull's favorite holiday even though she is agnostic on the subject of religion. She enjoys getting and giving presents, and cherishes spending time with friends and family.
People, it seems, are what make up the meaning of Christmas. So, before you leave for Christmas Break, be sure to give to the Wayland Family in some special way. Whether it be sharing lovely hugs, smiling more or creating a personal Christmas card, be sure to spread holiday cheer."
Christmas for junior Selina Adler involves eating duck and watching family videos. Adler said, “I don't celebrate because of the religion; I celebrate because I love my family.\"
With her consanguineal family, art instructor Ms. Boucher celebrates in a Catholic atomsphere. Although admitting that she is “not as religious as her mother would like her to be,” Ms. Boucher said, “Religion plays a large part in our traditions, including having a nativity scene on the mantel and going to Christmas mass. Traditions are comforting, and I like festivity.”
Having a Lutheran husband and knowing her history, Boucher also observed that “a lot of religions center celebrations around the winter solstice.”
Jacqueline Hill said, “I wish I could go back to the magic of believing in Santa.” When she was little, she explained, she baked a cake for Jesus. Now she wonders how she would have delivered it to him. Hill also relished the ritual of making reindeer food, which included oatmeal, chopped up carrots, and glitter. Sprinkled on the lawn, the glitter was meant to attract the reindeer. Next to the traditional milk and cookies, Jacqueline also left two large carrots for Santa to share with the reindeer.
Jacqueline continued warmly, “I love having a real Christmas trees with beautiful lights; it brings back memories of when my parents where together.”
Concerned that “a lot of our religious holidays are going to be put on the back burner as we are being introduced to other holidays,” she reminded everyone that “our Christian holidays have helped shape this nation.”
As proof of her theory of the disappearing of Christian holidays, Jacqueline said her mother was not allowed to put Christmas or Easter decorations up around her workplace at Horicon Bank.
Christy Rojas shared that “Christmas is a time where I get to hang out with my family and forget about the greed and competition that consumes some people at Christmas.”
Although “Muslims don't celebrate Christmas,” Mac Shihab said, “After Ramadan, we have Eid, the Festival of Breaking the Fast.”
Mac also explained that different families celebrate Eid in unique ways. After inviting the family over, with relatives bringing a food dish, the family shares a large meal together. The feast has numerous entrees including grape leaves stuffed with rice with lemon squirted over the top; numerous types of chicken; kofta, or long sticks of meat; and shrimp, cake, soda, tea, and coffee. His family gives gifts of new clothes to each other, and if your are younger you might receive money or other gifts.
Choir director Mr. Mientus said, “I am a Christian and Christmas is a time where people should be reminded to give to their family, their community, and strangers.”
His wish for Christmas would be that “people would remain in the caring spirit all year long.”
Matt Hernandez said that his family waits expectantly all Christmas Eve until midnight when the party starts and people open gifts.
Irma Rosas said the meaning of Christmas for her is “the birth of Christ.”
Flowing with enthusiasm for Christmas, Jill Neitzel said, “I love Christmas, not because the gifts, but because there are beautiful lights everywhere, and people are nice and happy.”
Jill said she even enjoys the Christmas commercials. Jill said that because her extended family is so large, everyone takes a plate and walks around while eating their Christmas feast.
Completely in love with Christmas, Brooke Schumann said, “I go to my grandparents house on Christmas eve and we have a delicious ham dinner, then on Christmas day, we wake up to cinnamon rolls and presents.” Brooke also said that “it is better to give than to receive since Christmas is all about sharing with others.”
Focusing “mainly on family and not the religious basis,” Josh Block said, “We have pizza on Christmas eve, sleep in till noon on Christmas day, have a movie marathon of the Christmas Story, and then we go out for Chinese.”
Last year, Carmel Assa went to her friend's house for Christmas, ate pork, and received a Barbie as a present.
Christmas is Elli Deri-Sproull's favorite holiday even though she is agnostic on the subject of religion. She enjoys getting and giving presents, and cherishes spending time with friends and family.
People, it seems, are what make up the meaning of Christmas. So, before you leave for Christmas Break, be sure to give to the Wayland Family in some special way. Whether it be sharing lovely hugs, smiling more or creating a personal Christmas card, be sure to spread holiday cheer."
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