DECEMBER • 2013
Family Read Night What a fun night! Over one hundred people attended our Family Read Night held in the elementary library. Most of the children were dressed in pajamas with pillows and pillow pets in hand!
Besides reading together as a family, families also had an opportunity to donate a book to the Camp Read program sponsored by Prosperity Avenue Baptist Church in Tulare. We collected three boxes of books to give to that ministry! Also on the agenda that night was a surprise skit performed by the library teacher and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Irvine! It was a wonderful night! Thanks to all who attended.
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CVC ADMINISTRTIVE PERSPECTIVE
– by Doug Vander Schaaf, CVCMS Principal
Celebrating Christmas
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part of the middle school Bible curriculum is the study of world religions as well as sectarian and cultic groups. It is what might be considered a very basic apologetics class for eighth graders in the second semester. I enjoy teaching the class and find that many students have a considerable interest in what other groups believe and how it compares with what they have been taught in their church, at home, and at school. In studying Judaism, we spend a bit of time on Jewish holidays. There are a number of holidays in Judaism, many of which were instituted in Old Testament times. Some of the standout holidays are Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succoth and Hanukkah. In our discussion, most students are aware that Christmas and Hanukkah are fairly close to each other on the calendar. In December, one often reads or hears, “Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.” When asked if they know what Hanukkah celebrates, a common response is that it might be something like a Jewish Christmas. We then go on to learn the story behind Hanukkah and why it is a significant event in the history of Judaism. (If you are unaware of the story behind Hanukkah, be sure to Google it and read some of the many resources.) Eyebrows go up a bit when students are told that Jesus never celebrated Christmas, but He did celebrate Hanukkah. (See John chapter 10 – it doesn’t say Hanukkah, but it is Hanukkah). There is usually at least one enlightened young scholar who insists that Jesus would always have celebrated Christmas on His birthday. This eventually leads to some type of discussion on the observance of “religious” holidays. Some Christians avoid celebrating holidays like Christmas and Easter arguing that they are rooted in pagan customs, are more about commercialism than Christ, and promote activities that are offensive to Christian sensibilities. I get that. I understand and can appreciate their perspectives. Many of us would probably have to admit that our Christmas celebration has more to do with serving ourselves than honoring the name of Jesus. In fact, a Christian friend of mine maintains that he would rather celebrate Hanukkah than Christmas, because he feels it is more meaningful and honorable to God than all the glitz and glimmer of Christmas. On the other hand, why would we not want to recognize these high holy days that focus on the (“Christmas” continues on page 2)