跨文化的饗宴 外語中心 聖誕節 系列活動

By Armon Nakprasert, Foreign Language Center

        Of all the things that I am wishing for Christmas this year, top on that list is

that I wish the pandemic when end already. Now with the new omicron strain,

that wish has diminished into hope and alas, an impossible dream.  I want things

to go back to the way they were before COVID-19 infested the world and

changed everyone's life. I want to see the faces of my students again

unobstructed by masks. I want everyone to have the comforts and safety of daily

life without the worry of succumbing to this virus. Perhaps it is too much to ask,

but I will ask it anyway.

        Christmas should be a time of celebration. A time of giving and joy. A time

that we all put aside all ill-will and come together for goodwill towards one

another. For, going on two years now, this pandemic has stripped merriment and

happiness from this beloved holiday.  I should not have to write about Christmas

in such a somber tone, however, the somber tone of this year's Christmas cannot

be overlooked. I am saddened to hear on the news that, for all the best efforts of

the global community, we are staring down the barrel of another possible

lockdown. Another possible softened, if not completely canceled, holiday season.

This was the year that we should be celebrating reaching that proverbial light at

the end of the pandemic tunnel only for that light to be moving further away from

us more and more. Things that we were planning to do at the end, that we have

not done since COVID-19's inception, now seem further away, not by weeks, or

months, but years.

        I am endlessly grateful that I am in Taiwan, and that Taiwan is one of the

very few countries around the world that has remained vigilant against the

pandemic. I do take comfort in the fact that I can still teach my students about

the Christmas culture and history in the US without the worry of the threat of

COVID-19. I taught my students that you do not have to be a Christian to

practice or enjoy the Christmas season or to exemplify the Christmas spirit. In

my attempts to liven this year's Christmas with my students, we played games

while laughing and cheering as much as we could. I told my students about the

cheer and joy that a Christmas card from my friends and family from the US

would bring me every year. A simple gesture could produce so much happiness

for someone. So, I ask my students to make Christmas cards for their friends,

family, or teachers. Write a small note to pass on the Christmas spirit to someone

that may not be in such a high spirit. I think that this Christmas has to be this

way, has to be about keeping our spirits up. No matter how far down the tunnel

the light is, we just need to keep going towards it, and eventually, we will all get

there. It must be said that referring to the Christmas spirit in the past-tense is a

bit melancholy for me, to say the least, but the true Christmas spirit, joy, and

cheer;  however, cannot; should not be defeated. It should spread stronger than

any virus, for it can be easily taken and passed and would benefit all that

contracts it.  Merry Christmas to all!

208班 陳韋皓

        Today's class was full of joy. We had a lot of fun games and yummy candy.

First, we talked about the history of Christmas. Second, we played Christmas

bingo but I had bad luck with it and only got one candy, but one is better than

none, I guess. Next, we made Christmas cards. I think this was the best class of

the whole year. Lastly, I want to thank our teacher, Mr. Armon, for giving us so

much happiness in this class.        Merry Christmas.

308班 蔡侑辰

        On December 25th is Christmas, so Teacher Armon in our weekly English

listening class taught us about Christmas. I think it was a very amusing class.

First, Teacher Armon taught us the meaning of Christmas. Then, he told us about

the origins of the word Christmas itself. It is made up of two words combined into

one. The first word is Christ, the second word is mass, but I forgot what the word

mass means. Third, we made Christmas cards for our friends and family. We

colored Christmas pictures and wrote cheerful Christmas messages inside the

cards. Then the teacher told us we should give the card to our best friend, our

family, or teachers. When I finished my Christmas card I gave it to Teacher

Armon. I did this because Teacher Armon is always nice to us. Sometimes we are

late to the class, and Teacher Armon never gets angry. Sometimes, if we behave,

he will reward us by playing a game with us or letting us watch videos. This was

a fun class.

505班 周雋淮

        Christmas is an important holiday for Americans. On Christmas, almost

every family will decorate their Christmas tree and exchange gifts. Although

Taiwan is not a Christian country, we can all celebrate Christmas, too. In Taiwan,

there are some Christmas activities in some cities. The government will designate

a place to be decorated for Christmas also known as “Christmas Town,” and

they will invite famous singers to perform concerts. Some department stores will

have an anniversary celebration for customers to shop. I remembered when I was

young, my kindergarten teacher would dress up as Santa and put candy in our

stockings at night. But in some countries, if you are naughty you do not get a visit

from Santa. You will get a visit from Krampus if you have not been a good boy or

girl this year. Krampus will take you away and maybe eat you, I do not know for

sure, but think this is a good way to make children behave. I learned all of this fun

information about Christmas from Teacher Armon's yearly Christmas activity

class. I always enjoy learning about the American Christmas

culture every year. Thanks, Teacher Armon! Merry

Christmas everyone!