Wednesday, December 12, 2012
People of many different faiths and even people of no religion celebrate Christmas. Tell us why you do.
In my opinion, the Christmas season is a beautiful time of year. I grew up in a strong Christian home where, when asked, we knew that Christmas was about Jesus’ birth. Whether or not it was exactly on Dec. 25 is debatable, but this is the day on which we celebrate. Yes, Santa made his appearance, and it was always terrific to get those fun toys and candy canes. But ultimately, it’s a religious holiday that holds strong meaning for many who share the Christian faith. It's a time of hope. But as I’ve broadened my relationships with people of different religious upbringings, and some with no belief in a “god,” I’ve become more aware of something. There are many non-Christians who also celebrate Christmas. They look forward to the holiday …
Monday, December 10, 2012
Forks Township farm features five reindeer as a holiday tourist attraction.
You know Donner and Blitzen... Well how about Ginger, Clarise and Gus? They may not be in Santa's sled, but on a farm in Forks Township, five reindeer have become one of the Christmas holiday's hottest attractions. At the Z Arch Barn Farm, an upstart Christmas tree farm, the reindeer are just as popular as the pre-cut Fraiser and Douglas fir Christmas trees that owner Vince Zarate has on display on Klein Road. He built a barn over the past year and turned it into a place to sell Christmas trees in late November, opening for business on Black Friday. But the reindeer are the stars of this show. Zarate said he acquired three of them from a breeder in New York and the other two from another one in Wisconsin. The reindeer are very friendly for…
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
There are countless ways to display the Elf, as he flies off store shelves this holiday season.
Over the past decade, the “Elf on the Shelf” has become a tradition in many homes. According to online research, the Elf was born in 2005 when a mother and daughter decided to write a book. After being rejected by numerous publishing houses, the pair decided to self-publish the book – first printing 300 copies. By the end of 2010, more 1.5 million copies of “Elf on the Shelf” had been sold. The basic premise is that Santa sends his "Elf scouts" to families’ homes. Once the family reads "The Elf on the Shelf” book, it is directed to give the elf doll (which comes with the book) a name and register it on a website to make "the adoption" official. From then on, the Elf lives with the family and watches the children’s behavior every Christmas …
Thursday, December 22, 2011
We’ve been given the gift of time. The trick is to use it well.
The movie “In Time,” released earlier this year, is about a futuristic society in which time is the main currency. Poor people work to be able to extend their lives a few more days, while the rich stockpile time, living to a ripe old age. You could argue that the film simply adds a dramatic edge to deals most of us make every day. After all, the wealthy can already buy more leisure time and better health care, nutrition and safety, which often contribute to longer lives. The working poor essentially sell chunks of their time every day to make money to keep body and soul together. In this economy, many of us in the middle class are just happy when someone is willing to pay us to work 40 hours each week. Unlike in the movie, we don't have …
Joyce12
10:32 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Hey Jenae, I always enjoy your articles. I think Christmas has become not only a time to celebrate Jesus' birth, but to celebrate our own loved ones as well and that's what makes it special and magical. more ›