Vol. 52, No.50
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
December 24, 2014
Special Section
Local Events
Entertainment
Sports
Legals
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Celebrating Christmas Around the World by Jo Anne Disney National
Christmas is celebrated all over the world and has a variety of names and traditions that are very special during this holiday season. Let’s look at a few. Hanukkah is the “Jewish Feast of Lights” or “Feast of Dedication.” This holiday begins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, lasts 8 days and usually falls in the month of December. Then, we have Kwanzaa, which is an African-American holiday that lasts for 7 days, beginning December 26th and ending January 1st. At Kwanzaa time, African-
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Americans think about their people, their struggles and their future. In Mexico, Christmas is called “Navidad.” The main celebration is “posadas” which means “inn.” And for 9 nights friends gather for a parade, carrying small figures of baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They re-enact the scene at Bethlehem. Ending on Christmas Eve, the figure of baby Jesus is placed in the manger and everyone sings songs and says prayers, while bells ring. A big party takes place and then everyone goes to church. In addition, Christmas in Iran today is called “Little Feast.” They begin to fast on December 1st, eating no meat or diary. This is “considered a time for peace and prayer.” The Little Feast begins after church on December 25th, where special foods are prepared and served. Then, the “trees of light” are what Christmas trees are
called in China. The Christians decorate their homes with “beautiful paper lanterns and decorate their trees with paper chains, paper flowers and paper lanterns.” And, when Santa comes to visit, he is called “Dun Che Lao Ren.” In Sweden, the holiday festivities begin on December 13th. This is St. Lucia Day. On this day, they celebrate the “Festival of Light.” Then on Christmas Eve, families have special dinners and open their gifts. On Christmas Day everyone goes to church and then rests. In Italy, the Italians celebrate “Natale.” No matter what part of Italy you are from, Christmas is the time to spend with your family. Wonderful dishes are always prepared while tables overflow for this grand feast. Traditional menu dishes may include lasagna, sausages and eggplant. Special bread known as “panettone” is served as well as wonder-
photo by Devette Johnson
ful desserts like the nougat candy known as “torrone” and pastry shells filled with creamy ricotta called “cannoli.” On Christmas Eve in France, children “put their shoes in front of the fireplace” in hope that “Pere Noel” (Father Christmas) will fill them with presents. And, in Germany they make special spicy cakes called “Lebkuchen” and place them on their Christmas trees as ornaments, while in Austria and New Zealand Christmas
comes in the summertime. Whatever your traditions may be this holiday season, the most precious gift we have is to spend time with family and friends. No matter where you live, remember our soldiers and those who have lost homes this year to fires and floods. May your holidays be merry and may the New Year bring health, peace and happiness to us all. HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the staff at Mid Valley News!
Heartfelt Gifts Donated to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles CU by Monique Esparza,SGMHS Alumni San Gabriel
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San Gabriel Mission High They are grateful and now School, collected toys in they would like to give back honor of Maceo Bleu, he to the place that has given is an energetic 6 year old them so much. who has fought to be alive. On Friday December He was born with a rare 12th, the Esparza family congenital heart defect and came to SGMHS to pick up was not expected to live. the toys for the children. The He has been through over students, faculty and staff 13 surgeries including 6 thanked the Esparza family open heart surgeries. His for letting us be a part of this mother, Monique Esparza amazing gift of giving for (class of 1999), along with the Children’s Hospital Los his family have spent every Angeles Cardiac Unit (also Christmas with Maceo in the known as the heart babies). Children’s Hospital of Heartfelt Gifts continued on page 6 Los Angeles until now.
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