Christmas in the Islands

Christmas is celebrated very similar in most parts of the world because it is all based on the same story. That story is the story of Jesus Christ at birth. Christmas is usually celebrated using a Christmas tree families usually set up in their homes with colorful lights, presents and gifts for everyone and lost of foods and parties held by each family. Christmas in the islands is almost a little different. We celebrate it in a normal way an American family would but much more in a relaxed, calm, and heart-felting way. We don't throw parties or feasts like we do out here. We simply go to church, pray and spend time with church members and families, exchange gifts if needed and go straight home. Christmas time is like family time on Thanksgiving. Everyone in the family usually goes to the family member's house that is the biggest and gather for prayer, a moment of silence, a reading of the bible, and finally the opening of gifts. This is what every kid looks forward to whether its here in America or in the islands. It's a very holy holiday to us and so we celebrate it just as we're celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday. That's exactly how I looked at Christmas growing up. We knew who Santa Clause was but never grew up believing that he even existed. There was never really an emphasis on Santa Clause growing up as a kid because our parents always read and taught us the story of the manger and the 3 wise men who brought gifts to Jesus Christ who laid in a manger. <http://www.lifeofchrist.com/life/birth/wisemen.asp> The manger was a little shelter for animals that Jesus was born into because the nearest hotel or home didn't have room for him. Therefore, his mother Mary and father Joseph took advantage of this shelter and used it for his birth. Out here in the states, I always hear kids talk about being good so that Santa can give them presents or not being naughty for the same reason. It's sang in songs, written in bedtime stories, and he appears in many Christmas movies. But kids grow up to learn that it is all fake. Where I'm from, we didn't learn about Santa. If we ever brought it up, my parents would always tell us he doesn't exist. Celebrating Christmas the way it should be which is in memory of the birth of Christ is something I value every year during the holidays and I think it is misused in some families and cultures. Here is an article of the significance of Jesus Christ's birth in a manger and the birth of Christmas we now celebrate as a holiday everywhere. <http://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2012/12/30/the-meaning-of-jesus-being-born-in-a-manger/> MERRY CHRISTMAS!