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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Celebrating Christmas & Chinese New Year

I received an invitation from Sister Tammy Nixon, wife of Pres. Nixon of the Mt. Vernon Stake. She sent a letter telling about her opportunity to take Ambassador Wenzhong Zhou of China and his wife, Madame Shumin Xie to meet the First Presidency and to visit Yellowstone. After becoming friends, the two woman decided to have a holiday activity inviting friends to learn of the customs of each others' holiday traditions. I had the great opportunity to be invited to take part. They sent a beautiful invitation that said, "An Evening of Holiday Traditions, Celebrating Christmas and the Chinese New Year". The party was held on Dec. 4th.These pictures show what a wonderful event it was. There were about 15 Chinese women and 20 American Women. We visited for a while and then some of the American women presented a program showing American Christmas traditions. They shared the story of the "Birth of Christ" from Luke and how we celebrate Christmas for this reason as Christians, the symbols of Christmas, like bells, trees, lights, music, etc. Then they were telling the story, "the Night Before Christmas" when Santa and Mrs. Claus came into the room when she read the line "down the Chimney Saint Nicolas came with a bound"... The Chinese women were so darling, they were excited and jumping up and down and shouting with delight,. It was such a cute thing to watch. Like small children seeing Santa for the first time. Then everyone had to sit on their laps and get gifts.
After that we shared a dinner of traditional American and Chinese dishes. Next, the Chinese women presented a program telling of the traditions of the Chinese New Year. It is their biggest holiday. It is also called Spring Festival. Many festivals are held according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It is based on the cycles of the moon so the New Year Day can fall anywhere between late Jan and Middle of Feb. Each lunar year is associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals. They put up lots of red decorations and banners, and lights.


The whole group of woman
The Chinese woman, the Madame Xie and her assistants and companions.
Sister Nixon and Madam Xie in the center


Illustrating the Night Before Christmas
Mr and Mrs Claus come in the room
Santa greets the ladies
Sitting on Santas lap

The Madame Xie on Santa's lap

Sis. Santini on Santa

Pres. and Sister Nixon on the laps.
The chinese women sharing their traditions
Showing decorations put by the doorways

Madam Xie
Sis. Nixon

The cookie exchange when we left
The lovely home.

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