Christmas party

This week is Christmas week, one of the most important weeks at Tunghai University. Since Tunghai is a Christian university, Christmas is the most important day for our school. On Christmas eve, thousands of young people will flock into the beautiful campus of Tunghai to participate in all the different activities, both secular and Christian. As a Christian teacher, every year I schedule a Christmas party for this week--PowerPoint presentation of Jesus' birth followed by the appreciation of three Christmas carols (Mary's Boy Child, Away in a Manger, and Silent Night). Then students can do their favorite activity--gift-exchanging & reading the Christmas card out loud in public. In order to build the atmosphere of love, students have played "Little Guardian Angel" for 2 weeks prior to Christmas party.
But before they start this activity, they have to learn two ways of appreciation--hugging and hand-shaking. I didn't know what hug was until I knew my husband in the States. Once I experienced hugging, I fell in love with it. I've shown my love by hugging people ever since I realized how wonderful it was. I hug my friends when I see them off at the airport or train station; I welcome their arrivals with big hugs; I give my gal friends a warm & comforting hug to let them know I'm on their side; I hug my sisters in Christ when we are asked to greet each other in church. Hugging is one of the best things that I've learned from American society


Anna & Grace hugging each other



Lillian & Andy shaking hands

 In order to let my students know how to hug, I have to show them several times. Then I'll show them how to shake hands. I want them to know how to behave socially appropriately. Once everybody knows how to hug and shake hands, they start to exchange their gifts. The procedure is as follows: one person comes to the front with his/her card and gift. Then he will ask the recipient of the card to come out. After the person stands opposite him, he opens the card and reads the words out loud to that person. Then the card recipient gives that person a hug or shakes hands with him to show  his appreciation. After everybody gets to read his card and exchange his gift, it's time to open all the gifts. Then its' time to share their presents if the gifts are candies.


Handmade card by Jay

 How long does the party last? Two hours! The things done during these two hours may touch some students' hearts. Actually, all these years what I've heard from my students is that it's the first Christmas party they've ever had. I'm glad I can give my students this wonderful experience by sharing God's love with them and by organizing a series of activities to help them learn how to care about others.


Timmy reading the card to Ellen out loud