Frank Deaver Peace Editorials

     Would you and your family like to spend Christmas in another country?  It may not be possible or convenient, but the next best thing could be to share your Christmas with an international guest.

     Look around your community, and you're sure to find those from other countries who can't go home for Christmas - perhaps international students or employees of a foreign company located in your area.  You could make their holidays brighter, and your own as well, by inviting them to share in some of your family events.

     What can you do?  It need not be elaborate, but just the sharing of your  own seasonal activities:

**  Take them to a Christmas program of music in the community.
**  Invite them to your home before Christmas to help with decorations.
**  Take them on a shopping (or window-shopping) visit to a major mall.
**  Bring them into your family gift exchange and Christmas meal.
**  Take them along on a holiday outing to mountains or beach.

     And while sharing your Christmas with them, invite them to tell about Christmas in their homeland.

**  As you hear or sing Christmas carols, you might learn that in Norway,  church bells ring at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve to welcome the holiday.
**  As you light the Christmas tree, you might learn that families in Ireland  leave a candle burning in the window to light the way for the Christ Child.
**  As you hang and fill stockings for the little ones, you might learn that  Brazilian children expect to find gifts in their shoes on Christmas morning.
**  As you share a Christmas meal, you might learn that in Poland, people  fast the whole day before Christmas.
**  As boys and girls anticipate the visit of Santa Claus, they might learn  that Dutch children put food in their wooden shoes for St. Nicholas and his  horse.
**  And Santa Claus, you might discover, is known as Père Noël  in France; La  Befana in Italy, and Christkindli  in Switzerland.

     Are there children or grandchildren who will be in your home during the holidays?  This would be such a marvelous way to introduce them to traditions of Christmas in other lands.

     Then, when the tree is gone and gift wrappings are in the trash, you and your family will count your additional blessings.

     You will have given the best gift of all, the gift of friendship.  You will have demonstrated the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."  You will  have made Christmas less lonely for someone far from home.

     In return, you and your family will have memories of a Christmas of international goodwill and understanding.  You will have learned traditions of Christmas in other lands through new friends from around the world.  And you will have bonded international friendships that will continue far beyond the holiday season.

     Feliz Navidad (Spanish), Joyeux Noël (French), Glædelig Jul (Swedish),  Froehliche Weihnachten (German), Maligayang Pasko (Filipino), Vrolijk  Kerstfeest (Dutch), Geseknde Kersfees (Afrikaans), Buon Natale (Italian),  Felican Kristnaskon (Esperanto), and Merry Christmas!