Happy New Year!

Happy 2007!

from

The Pelikans

Shogatsu

January 1st to 3rd are called Shougatsu (Japanese New Year) in Japan. January 1st is called gantan and is a national holiday. Shogatsu is the most important holiday in Japan. People say to each other "ake-mashite-omedetou-gozaimasu" (Happy New Year) whenever they see at the first time in the new year.

Japanese people eat special dishes called osechi ryouri during Shogatsu. Osechi ryouri is packed in a Jubako box, which has several layers. The foods are colorful and artistically presented. Each dish has a particular meaning. For example, prawns for long life, kuromame (cooked sweet black beans) for health, kazunoko (herring roe) for fertility, tazukuri (teriyaki taste small sardines) for a good harvest, kurikinton (sweet chestnuts and mashed sweet potato) for happiness, and more.

It is traditional for Japanese people to visit to a shrine or a temple during New Year's Days. People pray for safety, health and good fortune. The first visit to a temple or shrine in a year is called hatsumoude. It is not a very religious event but rather a custom. Many well-known temples and shrines are extremely crowded. Some temples and shrines expect a couple million visitors during New Year's holidays each year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Many people believe that the 12 Days of Christmas begin 12 days BEFORE Christmas, but actually we are in the midst of the twelve days, which began the night of the 25th of December and ends on the morning of January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany.

Today is the 3rd Day of Christmas.

In the Middle Ages these 12 days were ones of continuous feasting and merrymaking, which culminates on Twelfth Night, the traditional end of the Christmas Season.

Some Christians assign symbolism to the gifts in the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, and this symbolism is what I thought would fun to share with you today:

The 'partridge in a pear tree' is symbolic of Jesus on the cross.

The 'two turtle doves' are the Old and New Testaments.

The 'three French hens' are the three Persons of the Holy Trinity or the three virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love.

The 'four calling birds' are the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; or their Gospels. Which makes sense because they are "calling" out the story.

'Five gold rings' are the first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch.

'Six geese a-laying' refer to the six days of the Creation.

'Seven swans a-swimming' are the seven sacraments and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

'Eight maids a-milking' are the eight Beatitudes.

'Nine ladies dancing' are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

'Ten lords a-leaping' are the Ten Commandments.

'Eleven pipers piping' are the eleven faithful Apostles.

'Twelve drummers drumming' are the twelve doctrines in the Apostles' Creed.

This interpretation is usually taught with the story that British Catholics, suffering persecution in the 16th century, wrote the song with these hidden meanings. The song would have served as a learning and memory tool.

For some coloring fun during the Twelve Days of Christmas, check out this link:
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/coloring/12dayscolor.htm

The Magic of Christmas

The Magic of Christmas

The magic of Christmas is so many things. . .
A holly wreath gay and a church bell that rings,
A tree all a-glitter, a candle's soft glow
And moonlight reflected on new-fallen snow;

A kitchen's aroma of sugar and spice,
Bright packages wrapped up so pretty and nice,
Red stockings o'erflowing with candy and toys
And hung by the fireplace for good girls and boys.

The magic of Christmas is found everywhere. . .
Sweet voices of carolers upon frosted air,
The jingle of sleigh bells across hill and vale,
Glad ring of the postman delivering the mail;

Good friends dropping in and the laughter so gay,
Store windows decked out in delightful display.
Dear Santa Claus chuckling his famed "Ho, ho, ho!"
And little tots whispering as Santa bends low.

The magic of Christmas is so many things. . .
A candlelit church and a choir that sings,
The being together with people we love,
Belief that the Christmas Star still shines above;

The caring and giving and goodwill towards men,
The Christ Child reborn in our hearts once again,
Contentment and peace and a faith strong within,
A spirit of love that makes all the world kin.

The magic of Christmas is all this and more,
May your day be merry with much joy in store
And may the bright mem'ries and glow ne'er depart. . .
The magic of Christmas live on in your heart!

~Beverly J. Anderson

Wave of Joy

Only 6 days left until Christmas - wow! Where has the time gone?

Christmas is a beautiful time of year in Japan! I am continually amazed by the gorgeous Christmas lights everywhere, and the signs that read 'Joyful Christmas.' Favorite Christmas songs are piped through the stores, and Christmas cakes are displayed in bakery windows. In Japan, Christmas is known more as a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration. It's Japanese New Year (called 'o shogatsu') that is more like our traditional Western Christmas. New Year is the period where families get together, have a special meal, pray and send greetings cards. New Year is celebrated over five days from December 31st to January 4th and is a very busy time.

A very dear Japanese friend wrote to me today proclaiming her understanding of our busy schedule as we tried to plan our annual get-together with them. She proclaimed that "we are [all] in a wave of joy and busy at this time," and this phrase "wave of joy" has been ringing in my ears ever since she wrote it. It made/makes me happy!

Even though it's a busy time, remember the wave of joy that is Christmas!

Advent

Advent is the period preceding the Christmas season. It begins on the Sunday nearest November 30, the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, and covers four Sundays. Because the day it begins changes from year to year, so does the length of each Advent season. This year, in 2006, Advent began on December 3.

The word advent, comes from the Latin, and means “the coming.” For centuries, Advent has been a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation. Even as the Christmas season has become more secular - with advertisers urging holiday gift-givers to buy and buy some more - Advent still brings joy and the observance of ancient customs. Christian families find quiet moments lighting candles in the Advent wreath, and children use Advent calendars to count the days until Christmas.