CROSSROADS Language StudioÊs Newsletter, December 2009

During Christmas, Christians celebrate

the birth of Christ, and many of thetraditions and rituals associated withChristmas are very old, some stretching
all the way back to pagan times before theChristian era began. These traditions
have filtered down through the ages andnow remain with us as nothing more thanmere superstitions, yet many are stillpracticed today.
Take the traditional Christmas cakeand pudding for example. During
Victorian times, everyone in thefamily would help to make theChristmas cake. Each member ofthe household would take it in turns
to stir the cake mix thrice (three times)
and make a wish for a gift from Santa.
They would also place silver charms andcoins into the pudding mix – a sixpenny
coin for luck, a thimble for prosperity, aring and a bachelor’s button were also
added and if a young maiden of the housefound either of these in her pudding
desert, she was sure to soon find ahusband. The
placing of silver coins
into the family’s
Christmas pudding,
after boilingthem to kill anybacteriathat may be onthem, isstill practiced insome places, but the purpose these days ismore along the lines of giving children apleasant surprise, as well as a little extra
pocket-money.
Evergreens can be seen everywhere at thistime of the year. Since the 15th century, Ivy
and Holly have been an essential part ofchurch decorations during Christmas
celebrations and, along with Mistletoe, arecommonly found in homes as well.

The Christian tradition uses evergreens to symbolism endurance, while theberries they produce represent resurrection.
But, like so many elements in Christmastraditions, we can trace the symbolic use of
these plants back to the pre-Christian era.
Holly has traditionally been symbolic ofmasculinity, while Ivy was consideredfeminine – the European “yin and yang” ofthe plant world! It followed that if too
much ivy was use in the Christmas
decorations, bad luck would befall thehousehold. And if the Holly usedin the Christmas decorations wassmooth, it was said that the wife
ruled the house; if prickly, the husband
was boss!
Mistletoe, also known as Celtic-All-Heal,
has been popularsince the time of thedruids, and has
always been
associated withfertility, andkissing. It is
still believedfavor thosethat luck will
who kiss
under theMistletoe,and turnagainst those
who avoid it!

NET LESSONS: Are you too busy to come to
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NET SITE OF THE MONTH:
Here’s a good site for everything about Christmas:
http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/
NET NOTEBOOK: Don’t forget to take a look at
the Internet activity notebook in our open-house.
You’ll find games, news and English learning sites.

Joshua Says: Well, it will be some time before we see another message
from Emilie in this column as she is going on a sabbatical for 6 months. I,and everyone at Crossroads, wish her good fortune and we look forward toseeing her back with us next year. In the mean time, look for news from herin Paris, and other places on her travels, in future Page 3 spreads every
now and then. I know it will be interesting to hear from her!

Junko Says: Performance-party night was a quiet event last month, but theplays our students put on were really well done – as always. It amazes meevery term. The English level seems to go up for each group each time they
perform. Even the “acting” seems to improve! I am so please to see this kind ofsuccess as I know the more serious aspect of learning English is well takencare of too. Congratulations to all the participants. Well done!

Alessio Says: Hello Crossroads students, November was the month of our endof term party. It was much fun and the students did a very good job performing!
I was very happy for them. Everybody enjoyed the party and we spent a niceday all together, and Christmas is coming... I love it! There is always a magicalatmosphere in the air and, even if Japan has imported this holiday, it is always
special for me. It is said that during Christmas people are more gentle and kindand everybody behaves in a better way. Do you think it is true?

Greg Says: Memories come flooding back, as Christmas knocks on the door
once again, of when I was younger hiding under the tree at night waiting for
Santa to appear. But naturally gravity would suck my eyelids shut (Santa’smagic power I presumed) and I would wake up in my bed with presents underthe tree. One year I painted my uncles car dark green (as a gift); except I usedpaving paint (I was only 4)!!!!!! That was one present he really didn’t want.

Emilie Dit: Joyeux Noël à tous! Je rentre à Paris à la fin du mois de décembre

pour célébrer Noël en famille. Je serai absente de Matsuyama pendant sixmois. Pendant cette période, Kévin, originaire de Vineuil près de Blois dans leLoir et Cher, va me remplacer. Continuez à étudier le Français avec assiduité!
Je voudrais écouter vos progrès à mon retour. Je souhaite à tout le monde debonnes fêtes de fin d’année. Portez-vous bien! À l’année prochaine!

In(b)1 performing“Polt The Alien”

In(a)1’s“Lethal Kiss”

After
performance“party-time”

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