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The Insider |
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Volume 5, Issue
4 December 17, 2007 |
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Feliz Navidad in By Michelle Markman Mexicans start
celebrating Christmas on December 16th. It seems there are so many Christmas
activities in Nativity Scenes are very common. In fact, Mexicans respect the Nativity so much that they recreate it with "Las Posadas". This is a time of celebration and gathering. Many people take part in a reenactment of the Birth of Christ. Many will also attend "Pastorelas" or plays about the Shepards and their visit from the angel. All these festivities last through 9 days. (Continued à) |
The
Poinsettia, or laFlor de Noche Beuena Many Mexican families attend a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The Birth of Christ is very much the central theme to the Mexican celebration, and this is a grand change from the commercialized American Christmas. A Mexican
tradition is to decorate with beautiful red poinsettias or "La Flor de Noche Buena". They have been a Christmas
tradition throughout much of the world since an American Ambassador
introduced it from The Mexican Christmas festival is an impressive sight, with detailed decorations and celebrations for nearly a month! In all the festivities the people rarely lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas! |
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The ALC Insider December 17, 2007 page 2 |
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The
Meaning
of Christmas By Tammy Jimenez
Christmas is an annual
holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Christmas festivities often
combine Jesus' birth with various other customs, many influenced by earlier
winter festivals. The date as a Christ’s birth is
traditional. It is not really considered to be his actual date of birth. In
most places around the world, Christmas Day is Many British countries celebrate
Boxing Day which is the day after Christmas, December 26. In Catholic
countries, Saint Stephen's Day or the Feast of St. Stephen is December 26. (Continued à) |
Many British countries celebrate
Boxing Day which is the day after Christmas, December 26. In Catholic
countries, Saint Stephen's Day or the Feast of St. Stephen is December 26. The I’ve also found out how the
word Christmas became a name for this holiday. The word "Christmas"
is a contraction of the two words "Christ's In early Greek versions of the
New Testament, the letter Χ is the first letter of Christ. Since
the mid-16th century, X was used as
an abbreviation for Christ, so Xmas became an abbreviation for
Christmas. Christmas is a time to be with your friends and family, have dinner, and to open presents. So spend some time with your loved one and have fun this Christmas Day. |
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The ALC Insider December 17, 2007 page 3 |
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A
Christmas Story By Beatriz Christmas is my
favorite holiday. I love the time my
family spends together and we enjoy ourselves. We do so many things together
and we eat… a lot. I This year Christmas means so much more to us because our family will finally be at peace. My dad, as well as the rest of our family, can finally be happy. My dad has been through hell with my brother Gabriel. He thinks that Gabriel is a lot better now and he is safe. This Christmas is going to be a good one for him. He is sad that Gabriel won’t be able to be there, but at least he will know where Gabriel is at. So I’m excited
for Christmas and all the laughter we will share and for the making of
memories, too. Merry Christmas from my family to yours. Beatriz |
My
Favorite Christmas Memory By Tobby Christmas is more than just getting a bunch of junk. It is about giving it too! I was asked to remember the most thoughtful gift I ever gave to someone. I think that gift was something I made. I know it wasn’t the fanciest present in the world, and it didn’t cost a lot like jewelry. But it was the best… I made a short story of how my grandparents raised me and how happy I was. When I gave that to them, they had the biggest smile I have ever seen. That day was a day I’ll never forget. My favorite Christmas memory is the time I spent it with my grandpa. We had a fun time because on that Christmas Eve we rented at least six movies. We just ate at home and watched movies. It may sound boring, but it was great. After that we got to open all our presents. I remember getting a game system for Christmas. I was pretty happy, but I didn’t have a chance to play it until the next morning. My grandpa and I played some cards too! All of a sudden we started playing for candy. I was kicking butt. I probably cheated throughout the whole game and I doubt my grandpa didn’t know. The sun was down and it was dark before I knew it. I was real tired from the big day. I remember that as I closed my eyes it was my grandpa who was tucking me in. It was warm and the blanket was really soft. I was stuffed from the food my grandma made, and before I noticed it, I was already sleeping. I woke up the next morning and played my Playstation. |
know
that we are going to make lots and lots of food because I eat a lot.
My
son is going to be the happiest little brat on Christmas. He is getting so
many presents it is crazy.|
The ALC Insider December 17, 2007 page 4 |
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Laotian Christmas
By Jennie Klaas Keosaksith
It’s mostly
Laotian kids who are into Christmas.
They grew up here and know what the holiday is about. Plus, it’s a nice way to get presents. But straight up, from what my mom told me,
people in I know a lot of Laotians now believe in the birth of Christ and they celebrate that. In my family, some years we put up a Christmas tree and some years we don’t. It’s not that big of a deal. Most of the time we have a small gathering at someone’s house and have something to eat. |
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Christmas
Myths Quiz
1._____ The modern day
Santa Claus; a chubby, bearded man in a red and white suit was created by the
Coca Cola company. 2._____ The day after
Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day in the 3._____ The North American
Aerospace Defense Command tracks Santa and his reindeer across the sky every
Christmas Eve. 4._____ The story of
Rudolph the red nosed reindeer was created as a holiday promotion for
department stores. |
5._____ Christians
celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, because that is when Jesus was born. 6._____ Abbreviating
Christmas as “X-Mas” “takes the Christ out of Christmas.” 7._____ It was once against
the law to celebrate Christmas in 8._____ The poinsettia
plant is highly toxic and eating the leaves can kill a person or pet. 9._____ President Theodore
Roosevelt wouldn’t allow a Christmas tree in his home or in the White House. 10._____ The real Saint
Nicolas was a Bishop who hailed from a region in modern-day Click here to
receive the answers to our Christmas Quiz. |
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The ALC Insider December 10, 2007 page 5 |
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By Jessica Aries (March 21- April 19) Have you been good?
Well I sure hope so! Santa has an extra special gift in store for you! A new
car? A new house? Or maybe even a special romance at school will take off,
just like you’ve been hoping! Taurus (April 20 - May 20) It seems to me that you’ve been a bad person this year!
Every person seems to be getting on your nerves today! Well, you have a
couple weeks to do a good deed to earn the coal in your stocking this year!
Because if you ask me, you don’t even deserve that! Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Well, it looks like you’ve been a busy person this year!
Your extra hours at work and school will pay off! You can be expecting everything on your Christmas list,
including that special someone you’ve been dreaming about! And finally three
weeks of vacation time over the holidays! You’ll be coming back to the states
with a nice tan! Cancer (June 21 - July 22) You should consider a break from whomever you’ve been seeing these past few weeks, because someone has been sending you emails anonymously and you have yet to figure out who it is! A person at school and on the streets has been getting on your bad side. You have to yet to figure out how to get back at them! Spend your 2 weeks off plotting a plan for “sweet revenge!” One more thing! Be good for the rest of the time until after Christmas! Santa has a special gift in store for you! (Continued à) |
Leo (July 23 - August 22) Be lucky you’re a LEO; someone is out searching for you!
Don’t worry! It’s in a good way! You will find Virgo (Aug 22 to Sept 22) You can't help
looking back and remembering people or places that have now gone from your
life. But the (Horoscopes continued on page 5) |
out
who that special someone is on Jan 1st, the beginning of a New
Year! 
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The ALC Insider December 10, 2007 page 6 |
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Libra (Sept 23 to Oct 22) Family matters
are prominent and there could be some special news that encourages the opening
a bottle of champagne. Extra responsibility could fall on your
shoulders in connection with your job, so if necessary Scorpio (Oct 23 to Nov 22) You may be busy
at the moment, trying to get really organized before the big Christmas rush –
but news from abroad might disturb your plans. Socially you are in
demand as the party season is beginning. Money matters need care as you
seem to be spending at a fast rate. Make a list of where your money’s
going. Sagittarius (Nov 23 to Dec 20) Too bad your not Capricorn. They have it made |
Capricorn (Dec 21 to Jan 19) Wow! Are you
Capricorns lucky! Santa has four whole pages listing tons of cool things just
for you! Even if you know you were bad don’t sweat it! Your birthday takes
place during the Christmas time, so double the presents for you! Expect a new
car or better yet, a new special someone in your life! On December 24th
you will be asked a question that may affect the rest of your life, answer
with clear thinking Aquarius (Jan 20 to Feb 18) Your Christmas
day will go as you planned, but don’t take it for granted. It could turn around before you can say
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you’re good like everyone says you
are, then you have nothing to worry about.
Just remember that Santa knows everything about you, so watch what you
have been doing, and if you have been bad you still have a little bit before
Santa and the rein deer go out! Pisces (Feb 19 to March 20) You feel in a
happier frame of mind having decided to |
