It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The light snow today helps set the mood and spirit of the holidays. One beautiful thing about this season is that old traditions are observed and new traditions are instituted. Christmas in America can be both religious and secular. You can attend church services at any church (and please do, everyone is welcome to come and hear the stories). You can enjoy holiday decorations and special programs and events including a visit to Santa, caroling, and so much more. It is so fun to start a new family tradition: decorating, cookie baking, watching special television programs and wearing gaudy sweaters. No matter how you choose to celebrate, remember that at the heart of Christmas is love, care, comfort, joy, peace and giving.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
We read Matthew 4:18-25 where Jesus recruits His apostles (the staff ). The interview process is simple: Jesus says "follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (as opposed to fishermen; an interesting twist of words). They immediately left with Jesus and traveled through Galilee where Jesus taught and healed people. Large crowds from Syria, Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and across the Jordan found Him and followed Him (without being invited, specifically). Wow! Check out the map! Let's count the miracles: people follow Jesus immediately, people are healed, people from warring nations travel together in unity.
December 12: Join us in the chapel as we celebrate with Lessons and Carols. We will read the Christmas story and sing Christmas hymns.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100.
We baked traditional and new traditional Christmas cookies. You can find our recipes here or get a copy from Carolyn at church.
December 12: You and your kin are invited to join us for our Christmas Party. Bring a dish to share and a white elephant gift if you wish to participate in our gift exchange.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 209.
We enjoyed a taste of Iran with delicious cookies. We talked about holidays from the Easy English News. We talked about if and/or how we celebrate Christmas in our home countries as well as other winter traditions.
December 13: Join us as we talk about New Year Traditions and plan a field trip next week!
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms.
We are scheduled to meet through December 21. Be sure to check with your teachers for your individual class plans and schedules through the end of the year.
light snow: a dusting, not a lotEnglish Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms.
We are scheduled to meet through December 21. Be sure to check with your teachers for your individual class plans and schedules through the end of the year.
set the mood: ambiance, help people feel the same way
spirit of the holidays: the feeling behind the celebration
season: a period of the calendar year that is marked by behaviors or events
observed: followed as opposed to the usual meaning of watching
instituted: begun formally
gaudy: fashion that is so showy it is tasteless, obnoxious, or over the top
at the heart: the reason
recruits: finds suitable people for a team or job
interview: question and answer to determine if someone is right for the job
twist of words: poetic or pun not to be confused with "twist my words" which means using someone's word to misrepresent what they have said (not a good thing)
miracle: a surprising and explainable welcome event that is considered the work of God
and/or: when you see and/or you can use either word as is appropriate for your situation; you may see his/her when reading a
be sure to check: ask and confirm
through: to
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