CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter December,December , 201
20 1 3
Christmas is a wonderful time
for storytelling with many atale, novel or poem for thefestive season. Much of thisliterature complements theoriginal story of Christmas
itself in the birth of Jesus.
8 And there were shepherds living out in thefields nearby, keeping watch over theirflocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lordshone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not beafraid. I bring you good news that will cause
great joy for all the people. 11 Today in thetown of David a Savior has been born toyou; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will
be a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”[from Luke 2: 8-12, New Testament, NIV]The story of the birth of Christ as retold
in Christian churches around the world isdepicted in several gospel passages, notably
Luke 1:26-45, 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-25, 2:123 and John 1:1-18). Parts of these passages
together with the prophesies of the coming
Messiah as foretold in Isaiah, Haggai
and Malachi of the Old Testament
comprise the choral text ofthe Messiah, an English
oratorio composed in1741 by George
Frideric Handel.

Over the centuries, Christmas
has inspired many stories about
unselfish love, charity, friendship,forgiveness, and generosity. A favorite novel atthis time of year is that of Charles Dickens, A
Christmas Carol, published in 1843.
“You don’t believe in me,” observed the Ghost.
“I Recording
don’t,” said
Scrooge.
HensonStudios,LA, USA“What evidence would you have of my realitybeyond that of your senses?”“I don’t know,” said Scrooge.
“Why do you doubt your senses?”[From Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, 1843]

In our house we always looked forward to areading of the poem, Twas the Night Before
Christmas, by my father on Christmas eve.
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers
they came,
And he whistled, and shouted,
and called them by name;"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer!
now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donderand Blitzen!
[From Clement Clark Moore, Twas the Night Before
Christmas, 1823]

Other favorites to consider: The Fir-Treeand The Little Match Girl (Andersen), The
Gift of the Magi (O Henry), The Wind in theWillows (Grahame), The Elves and theShoemaker (Brothers Grimm) and Christmas
Every Day (Howells). The Nutcracker and theMouse King (Hoffman) has become a popular
two-act ballet (musical score, Tchaikovsky),often performed at Christmas. You might also
NET LESSONS: Are you too busy to come toCROSSROADS?....Try our lessons on the Internet!
enjoy Amahl and the Night Visitors (Menotti),
SITE OF THE MONTH:an opera in one act first performed for
Here’s an interesting page about the history of Christmas Carols: television in New York City in 1951.
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_histor
y.shtml

Article by Kenneth

Joshua Says: I’d like to thank everyone who came to our end-ofsemester party at the end of last month. It was one of our mostenjoyable so far and I felt everyone who came enjoyed themselves.
Our teachers prepared some delicious food from their home countries(and I even managed to create some converts to vegemite, this time!)
All in all, a great night and I thank all who participated.

Junko Says: I am so impressed with the number of companies that are starting
to encourage their staff to learn to speak in English. Ever here in Ehime,
companies are getting serious about English and the need to communicate forinternational business. It has been a long time coming, but I feel now Japan hasa real chance to get “back on top” with the way this new movement is developing.

Kenneth Says: Last Sunday (December 9 th ) we enjoyed a stage
performance by children aged 4 to 6 of Rosario Youchien. The
kids sang songs and reenacted in a play the pilgrimage of thethree wise men to the scene of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem.
Events of the story were narrated before each of 6 or 7 acts,
culminating in the presentation of gifts to the Christ child.

Adrienne Says: Dr. Love says that women often make a big mistake
when they try to become close to their men by talking. She claims
that love is not about communication; rather it is aboutCONNECTION. She says that there are only four ways that men
can become emotionally connected to women: through touch,activities, and routine. Next time: the fear and shame dynamic.

Cyril Dit: Ça y est! J'ai mon Amphinobi chromatique protéen puissancecachée feu! Je pense l'utiliser en set mixte: la majorité des EV en attaquespéciale (parce que c'est ce qu'il fait de mieux), une bonne rasade en attaque(pour l'effet de surprise, et pouvoir utiliser sheauriken!!), et maximiser la vitesse(godspeed). Il est tout simplement magnifique... Qui veut faire un combat?

CONTINUED FROM LAST MONTH…..

Yuan MingYuan RuinsPark… Parks in Beijing are interesting and beautiful. First I went to Yuan Ming YuanRuins Park. (see picture below) The park is famous for its many historical ruins.
The complicated layout of these ruins reminded me of a labyrinth when I visited Around anthe site.
Secondly, I went to the Summer Palace. It’s located in a huge park and was notable to walk around the whole area in one day, so I only visited the northern area.

entranceof theSummer
Palace in
the north
Scenery
from themainisland inSummer
PalaceThis area was large enough to enjoy and while there, I met a person who wasdoing calligraphy. His works were beautiful. Aside from him, there were someperformers in the park: singers, dancers and flying kite performers. I will gosightseeing the other parts of the palace grounds on other days off.
In the first month here, I am left with the impression that Beijing has too
Calligraphy

many spots for sightseeing to take in in just one year. I have realized again artist in thehow big China is.

Summer
PalaceDon’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.