December CROSSROADS Language Studio’s Newsletter 2004

Here is some food for thought about
the history of Christmas.
The first time the birth of Jesus Christ
was attributed to the date December 25
was in the 4th century, according toearly Roman history.
Some early customs associated withChristmas that have endured to this day
include decorating homes with greenery,giving gifts, singing songs, andeating special foods.
The holiday developed further
with the legend of St. Nicholas.
Although much of his history isunconfirmed, the man who became St. Nicholas lived in the 4thcentury and is believed to have been abishop in Asia Minor. Many miracles
attributed to him are dubious at best.
Nevertheless, some countries named
him their patron saint. He also is
considered the patron saint of, among
others, children (for protecting them),
sailors (whom he reputedly saved atsea), and the poor (to whom hegenerously gave gifts).

In his honor, the Feast of St. Nicholas
was marked on December 6 and gifts
given the night before. The tradition
was well established in many European
countries by the 12th century.
Eventually, because St. Nicholas' Day
and Christmas Day are so close
together, their traditions, generally,
were combined. Here are someChristmas facts that you may not have
known about until now.
Some other Christmas facts:

 The word Christmas comes fromthe Old English Cristes maesse,
which means Christ's mass.
 The word Xmas is sometimes usedinstead of Christmas. In Greek, X isthe first letter of Christ's name.
 Santa Claus generally was depicted
as an elf until 1931, when CocaCola ads portrayed him as humansized.
 Rudolph didn't become Santa's
ninth reindeer until 1939 when an
advertising writer for thedepartment store Montgomery
Ward created him.

Story by Adam(These words are in color in the story)

Joshua Says: There is going to be a very special event this month, which you
shouldn’t miss out on! Just in front of Crossroads in Okaido there will be a concert
given in aid of the Niigata and Nihama disaster victims. Steve (our teacher) is going
to lead a group of professional musicians from ‘Monk’. They will play a number ofsongs including one Steve wrote for Yuta, the little boy who survived in Niigata.
Check out the N/L “notice board”, or ask Junko at the office, for details.
Junko Says: Also, on the same day as the Okaido Benefit Concert by Steve andfriends, we are going to hold our Christmas Party. So, after enjoying the concert, comeup stairs and have some more fun! Don’t forget to bring some drinks and food withyou, and, of course, any, and all, of your friends and family who may like to share
Christmas with us.

Adam Says: Well my 26th birthday has passed and I must admit, it was one toremember. My mother and sister travelled all the way to Japan to celebrate
this fine day with me. I took them on numerous sightseeing tours including,
Uchiko city, Imabari and Ozu. They truly enjoyed the traditional Japanese
atmosphere and so did I. Have you ever spent your birthday abroad?
Greg Says: This month I will be flying home to spend Christmas and New
Year with my father and sister back in Sydney. Summer has only just started
in Australia and already the temperature has reached over 40C. So it will be anice BBQ Christmas for me this year. Speaking of which, I hope you all have alovely time at the Crossroads Christmas party and everybody has a safe andvery successful 2005.
Natacha Says: Don't we all wish we were nice and kind to everyone all of thetime.The fact is that we often forget to be!However, if we remembered to be niceand kind all the time,I think we would forget how precious this timeis.Christmas is for many a time to remind ourselves about sharing and caring forothers.In my family, more then 20 people gather at our house for Christmas
dinner.It is a precious time of sharing.

Steven Says: November has flown by for me and in the first half ofDecember I am rehearsing a new band with the musicians from Monk. Wewill perform a benefit concert in Okaido for the Niigata, Nihama disastervictims. Practice the lyrics on page 3 and you will be able to sing along at theconcert when we perform “Song for Yuta” on the 18th.
Magnolia Says: The greatest reward of being a teacher is the opportunity tocommunicate with many different kinds of people and to help them to achieve
and realize their goals and dreams. At the end of each day, I think how
precious life is and how blessed we all are. As the Christmas season
approaches, let it be a gentle reminder to give from the heart and to consider
those less fortunate. Please live your dreams.
Natasha Says: December is X-mas season in Japan, US and Catholiccountries.... but in Russia we celebrate X-mas on Jan.7. Orthodox religious
events are based on the Julian calendar, whereas Catholic events are based on
the Gregorian one.Japanese X-mas is commercialism... we celebrate our Xmas in a very religious atmosphere.
Yuka Says: Time passes so quickly and the year 2004 is almost over. How

did you spend this year? Did you do something special? Have your dreams
come true? For those who had a wonderful time, I hope your good luck willcontinue. And for those who were not so fortunate, let’s enjoy a “hot-pot”
dish and hope for a better future!

Atsuko Says: I visited Freiberg with members of the Matsuyama Bach Chorus.
After five days rehearsal, we gave a concert with the Freiberg Bach Chorus.
They have wonderful sounds, so the concert went fine! We stayed as houseguests of members of the Freiberg Chorus who were very kind and friendly tous. We also enjoyed sightseeing trips while we were there.
Harumi Says: In October, I went to Turkey on a sightseeing
tour. However, it wasn’t just a tour because I met a great Turkish
guide who taught me about the history and religion of Turkey. He
has a great respect for the founding fathers of Turkey and I wasdeeply moved by his patriotism. I really enjoyed myself and I loveTurkey.

CROSSROADS’CHRISTMAS PARTY!!
place: C r o s s r o a d sBenefit concert“ The “Steve Brooks Quintet” will give a benefit
concert in Okaido, just in front of Crossroads, for thevictims of Niigata and Nihama, on the 18th of December
at 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Steven will perform his new song,“Song for Yuta”, for the first time. Don’t miss this great
event, and tell your friends to come along also!!!

date: 18/12/’04
time: 8:00pm to…
bring: f o o d , d r i n k s ,and all your friends!
Let’s have some fun!!!

SpecialNET LESSONS:
Are you too busy to come toCROSSROADS to study? Try our lessons
on the internet!
It’s CROSSROADS in your home or office!
You get CROSSROADS’ great teachers,teaching programs, even classmates, allon-line! Call for details.

NET SITE OF THE MONTH: Here,you will find stories on how Christmas iscelebrated throughout the world.
http://www.christmas.com/worldview/Don’t forget to take a look at the NET
NOTEBOOK in our Open-house lounge.
You’ll find games, news and English studysites.

Here are the lyrics of Steven’s special “Song forYuta”. If you learn this song, you can sing alongat the performance in Okaido on the 18th!!

V1: A boy is trapped inside mother earth
They all know that time is not on his side
But he speaks to them with his heart
And they hope they will find a way
Chorus: You’ve got to sing Yuta with me,
Yuta with me, Yuta with me
You’ve got to sing Yuta with me,
Yuta with me, Yuta with me
V2: Day and night they worked until the dawn
Pray they’ll find a way to bring him to the light of day
He speaks to them with his heart
And they know they will find a way
Chorus:Bridge.: Can anyone hear me?
Does anyone know I’m alive?
Can anyone still tell my heart is beating?
I can hear a voice, they call my name
I feel the touch of warm embrace
I’m lifted up and now I know I’m safe
Chorus (x3):

Phone: 0120-21-7594
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Fax: (089) 921-7319
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