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第133次例會，2007年12月01日（週六）下午2:30~5:30
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
Time:
14:30 ~15:30 (Free Talks)
15:30~16:00(Speaker Session)
16:00~17:15 (Topic Discussion)
17:15~17:30 (Happy Time)
Host: Yen-Chi Wang
Assistant Host:
Topic: Christmas Customs
Source: http://www.infostarbase.com/tnr/xmas/custom.html
Many Christmas customs are based on the birth of Christ. Such as giving presents because of the Wise Men, who brought presents to the baby Jesus. Christmas carols based on Christ's birth and scenes of the birth with figures of shepherds, the Wise Men, and animals surrounding the baby Jesus.
But some of the ways people celebrate Christmas have nothing to do with Christ's birthday. Many bits of older holidays have crept into Christmas!
It wasn't until about 200 years after Christ's death that Christians even thought about celebrating his birth. No one knows the exact date of his birth. It is believed that December the 25th was chosen to turn people away from celebrating other holidays in this time of the year.
Saturnalia, was the Romans holiday that they celebrated in December. It was a time of feasting and parties. Also, in northern Europe there was a holiday known as Yule. They celebrated this holiday by making great fires. They then would dance around the fires, yelling for the winter to end.
In time, Christmas took the place of these holidays. But people kept some of the old customs -- such as burning a Yule log and having feasts and parties. The word Yule is still used as a name for the Christmas season.
As time went on, new customs crept into Christmas. One was the Christmas tree, which was started in Germany. As the Germans settled in new lands they brought with them this tradition.
Last but not least is Saint Nick. A long time ago, a bishop named Nicholas lived in what is now the country of Turkey. No one knows much about him. There are stories that he often helped children in need. Many years after his death, Nicholas was made a saint. In time, he became the patron saint of children.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!
1. shepherd 牧羊人 2. crept into 逐漸成為 3. Saturnalia (古羅馬的)農神節(12月17日起持續七天) 4. Yule耶誕節;耶誕季節 5. bishop (天主教及英國國教等的)主教; (基督教的)監督 6. patron守護神
1. Do you know why Christmas is celebrated around the world? Have you ever celebrated Christmas in a foreign country?
2. What is your attitude toward the commercialization of the Christmas season?
3. Who is Santa Claus? Do you know the history of Santa Claus? At what age did you begin not believing in Santa Claus? Do you remember when you found out that Santa Claus wasn't real/ or when your children found out? What was your/their reaction like?
4. Do you usually put up Christmas decorations in your house? When do you put up a Christmas tree? If you don't put up a Christmas tree, do you put up other decorations?
5. How many Christmas cards did you receive last year? Do you send Christmas cards to your friends or relatives? Why do you do it?
6. What is your favorite Christmas carol/song? Talk about the reasons that you love it.
References:
http://www.soon.org.uk/christmas.htm#start
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus
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台北，每週六 (2005年6月起)
Taipei, Saturday, Weekly
from June, 2005
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
高雄，每月最後一個週日 (2007年4月起)
Kaohsiung, Final Sunday, Monthly
from April, 2007
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
20071201, Speaker -- Thomas Tsai
20071201, Speaker -- Timothy Cheng
20071201, Gathering and Feedback
20071201, Saturday dinner –round1
20071201, Saturday dinner –round2
20071201, Saturday dinner –round3
