Christmas

For the last week, I've been receiving Christmas wishes from Ukraine. This isn't unusual since it is Christmas. What makes it noteworthy is that Christmas in Ukraine isn't observed until January 7. That is "Orthodox" Christmas. I'm not sure where the difference came from, but it's been around a long time.

Another Ukrainian Christmas tradition is that Father Frost (Santa Claus) visits on New Year's Eve and gifts are exchanged on New Year's Day. That tradition is a holdover from Communism. An atheist government had to find "something" to substitute in the place of Christmas. New Year's Day was convenient, so it was adopted as a gift giving holiday. Still today, the two celebrations are separate.

When you think about it, that may not be too bad. All of the commercialism gets transferred from Christmas to New Year's Day. And, Christmas becomes a "religious" holiday again.

Several friends have made special Christmas gifts to Mulberry for our parents and staff. Each family will get some money for New Year's Day and Christmas celebrations. And, there will be a Christmas party at Project Sasha for all of the regulars there. The Christmas story will be presented to some of the children for the first time.

Please remember their special days. They remember ours.

Don't grow weary.
Charles