Holiday season

Dear Editor:Habari gani? That is Swahili for "What's the news?", which is how those who celebrate Kwanzaa greet each day. As a modern holiday, I know it doesn't get a lot of attention, but if people just learned more about Kwanzaa, they will see that it is a great holiday. It values unity, self-determination, cooperative economics, collective work, purpose, creativity and faith. I hope everyone had a joyous Kwanzaa and I hope to see more and more people celebrate it every year. P.S.: you can celebrate Kwanzaa and Christmas and Chanukkah! Leon Obasohan Downey

Dear Editor: "Why is Christmas?" That is a question I ask the children in my office at this time every year. Those that give the right answer get a small gift. Lately, I have been giving less of these gifts. I get many answers. For example, "Christmas is for presents, for decorations, for vacation, and for Santa's birthday." How can we let them know the real reason for the season? Ask the question before you open the presents and let them read the Gospel of Matthew (1:18-2:12). After you open the gifts, read the Gospel of Luke (2:1-20). Let our children know that it is Jesus Christ's birthday that we're celebrating and that he is God's gift to us from heaven. Let them know He gave us all of the gifts that they're seeing under the tree, as well as Santa himself. Let them know that we also need to give Him a gift, which is making Him the king of our hearts, listening to His words through the Bible, and obeying Him. Tell them that it was Christ's birth that changed the world and its history to have time divided to before and after his coming (BC/AD). Have them repeat these two verses: "Glory to God in The Highest, Peace on Earth, and goodwill towards humans." (Luke 2:14). And Christ was born "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have Everlasting Life." (John 3:16) Shahira A-Malek, MD Downey

********** Published: Jan. 2, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 38