Well, here it is time for my pretty-much annual Christmas Blog. Things aren\u2019t exactly back to \u201cnormal\u201d yet, so Christmas probably won\u2019t be considered \u201ctraditional\u201d again. But \u2014 what is \u201ctraditional?\u201d That depends on a lot of things, including your nationality, where you live, how you were raised, what you believe, or don\u2019t believe, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve celebrated over 80 Christmases and a lot of them have been what many people would consider \u201ctraditional,\u201d with family and friends. Some of them have been pretty isolated with no people around \u2014 the only way to tell it was Christmas was to check the calendar. Even though many have been very<\/em> different, they all have been memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the most memorable have been those celebrated in other countries, whose traditions might seem strange to others, but those traditions are very important and meaningful to those celebrating them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quite a few years ago I was in in Syria \u2014 not for Christmas, but for a few days prior to Christmas. I don\u2019t remember a lot, but some of their (Christian) traditions are similar to ours \u2014 some not so much. I remember the houses, buildings, shopping centers and a lot of the trees all being decorated with Christmas lights.On December 6th, Christian families attend special Masses held in the churches. Christians, that celebrate Christmas, make up only about ten percent of the population of Syria. The Mass held on Christmas morning consists of a procession and a bonfire is lit. During the Mass, the priest walks around the church carrying a figure of Jesus Christ in his hand, while the people sing hymns. After the prayers, the priest performs the \u201ctouch of peace,\u201d where he touches a person\u2019s hand and the touch is passed from one person to another in the church \u2014 this ensures the blessings are passed on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing I remember the most about the Syrian Christmas activities is that the smallest camel who carried the \u201cThree Wise Men,\u201d is believed to bring gifts for the Syrian children. The youngest and smallest camel carrying the \u201cThree Kings\u201d or \u201cMagi,\u201d who followed the star to search for Baby Jesus, was drained by the long journey and fell down. Jesus Christ is said to have blessed the camel with immortal life. Syrians believe that that camel brings gifts to the children every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So no matter where you are, who you\u2019re with, whether you got presents under a tree, in your shoes, or someplace else, and the gifts came from a camel, a goat, or Santa, this Christmas will be merry\u2026 and memorable. Well, here it is time for my pretty-much annual Christmas Blog. Things aren\u2019t exactly back to \u201cnormal\u201d yet, so Christmas probably won\u2019t be considered \u201ctraditional\u201d again. But \u2014 what is \u201ctraditional?\u201d That depends on a lot of things, including your … Continue reading
Merry Christmas!
\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"