The best Christmas gift of all
College Point: A few years ago, I started a Christmas tradition of dressing up as Santa Claus for approximately 800 children in Queens. My first time doing this, I met a little boy with Down syndrome. He ran up and jumped up on my lap and said, “I’m a good boy, Santa!” I asked him in that deep Santa voice, “Well, then, what would you like for Christmas?” This special boy’s reply could melt a thousand chocolate Santas, and a few hearts too. He told me, “I just wanted to meet you, Santa.” It was at that moment that Santa received the greatest Christmas gift of all. He got to remember what it was like to believe again. I told the boy, “That is what makes you such a good boy.” He gave me a hug and walked away, looking back and waving every few feet, not knowing how he had changed Santa’s Christmas. Every year since, this same special boy comes to see Santa, and every year Santa calls him by his name. This year, Santa has a surprise for this boy from the Nice List. Merry Christmas to all. Christopher Tracey
So it is written
Brooklyn: The Virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Merry Christmas to everyone and praise the name of the Lord!” Lenore McKinney
Counting our blessings
Lindenhurst, L.I.: We’re having a wonderful Christmastime as we unwrap all our priceless gifts. These are a few of our favorite things — church choir carols, the warm glow of the fireplace, snowflakes falling, twinkling lights on the Christmas tree, kisses under the mistletoe with friends and family. Find the comfort and joy of the season. The best things in life are not things. Memories are made of this — spending family time with loved ones, not spending money. Being together as a family is a gift. Susan and Robert Davniero
Colorless decorations
Manhattan: It’s the time of year when Bergdorf Goodman dresses its large display windows on Fifth Ave. with magnificent holiday finery — windows seen by thousands of visitors from every continent, beacons of beauty and fashion in our immensely diverse city. As I walked up Fifth Ave. the other day, I felt a knot forming in my stomach as I approached Bergdorf’s. Would they possibly contain only white mannequins, as they have done every year? Despite my letters of protest a year ago to many entities, my fear — or rather, disgust — was confirmed, and once again all the mannequins are white and lifelike as ever. As a white American who grew up in diverse communities, this glaring representation of inequality is beyond offensive. Is anyone else noticing this? It’s simply outrageous in a city that prides itself on diversity. I can only imagine the disappointment families of color must feel when they bring their children to see these beautiful windows, only to realize what exclusionary ideals they portray. Lara Day
Jews and Christmas I
Bronx: Like Voicer Roslyn Greenstein, my sister and I grew up singing Christmas carols and having Christmas trees. In the morning, our father would jingle the bells, and we would run into the dining room, tear into the presents and feel the joy of Christmas morning. In America, Christmas is a celebration of children as well as the birth of Jesus. What happened to us? Nothing. We are both still Jewish. Merry Christmas, everyone. Marc Hohenstein
Jews and Christmas II
Port Washington, L.I.: To Voicer Roslyn Greenstein: Your story of a Jewish family on Christmas Day was so moving that I shared it with my husband. He said, “Cut it out of the paper. That is great.” What wonderful parents you had to make the day so special. When so many of the Christian faith were celebrating their religious belief, it’s terrific that they made it special for you of the Jewish faith. We’re glad you have such wonderful memories, and that you shared it with Voice of the People readers. Shalom! Pat Conran
Holiday history
Jersey City: The secular Christmas that is widely observed is different from the religious Christmas that we celebrate in our heart. Much of what we call Christmas started with pre-Christian pagan observances of the winter solstice. After Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire, then became the state religion, those pagan celebrations morphed into a major Christian holy day. Our Puritan forefathers did not celebrate Christmas because it was too Catholic, so Congress sat in session on Christmas Day up until the 1850s. Christmas became a federal holiday in 1870 only in Washington, D.C., and wasn’t extended to all federal employees until 1968. Santa Claus did not exist before the 1820s, and Macy’s became the official arbiter of the secular Christmas season in 1924, when it took over the Thanksgiving Day Parade from Bamberger’s and moved it to New York from Newark. Our society changes, and so Christmas changes.
Joe Whitten
They were all Jews
Manhattan: With all the hoopla about bringing Christ back to Christmas, stores staying open late and rich people’s Christmas cards, I’d like to remind everybody of one fact: Jesus of Nazareth was born Jewish, making this solstice holiday primarily Jewish. The apostles were the required minyan, and the Last Supper was a Seder. So to all readers out there, I say, Merry Christmas!
Steven Hann
A religion of peace
Linden, N.J.: In this season of peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, enlighten me, Voicers: How is it moral for a Christian, a follower of Christ, to be a soldier? Even though his land was occupied by the enemy, Christ never even punched anyone, never mind killed anyone. When he drove the money changers out of the Temple, he made a whip of cords, which would sting or bruise men but not injure them. Ron Jackowski
Adopt with love
Forked River, N.J.: Every year, puppies are given to kids with short attention spans as Christmas presents. Many of those puppies came from puppy mills before they ended up in that pet store. Most of these animals will end up in shelters a month or two later, when the novelty wears off. That’s why it is disheartening to see ads for puppies as Christmas gifts. Have a heart and adopt from a shelter. Do so knowing that the life you just brought home is a responsibility, but at the same time will always be a loyal friend.
Jim Hughes
A Christmas wish
Calverton, L.I.: Love was born at Christmas. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son — so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. As we honor and worship Jesus at Christmas, we profess our faith in God’s promise of salvation. We come to know that believing and acting upon the word of God produces right living, with love and respect for each other. May we all be blessed with the love of God at Christmas and throughout the New Year!
Dorothy Grover
The back story
Port Chester, N.Y.: To Voicer Virginia Rabacs: Do you realize Christmas has nothing at all to do with Christianity? Research the pagan roots of Christmas.
Justin Martin
No shortcuts
Brick, N.J.: I hate “X-mas.” I hate it with a passion. Don’t get me wrong — I love Christmas, but I hate the term “X-mas.” Christmas is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. In all the hustle and bustle, let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas. So let me wish all your readers a very merry CHRISTmas. James Mack
A Christmas prayer
Middle Village: So Christmas means shopping? If you take Christ out, it means “Mas” shopping. Merry Christmas. Let Earth receive our King. Rejoice, our Savior is born. To all, a silent night. Peace on Earth and goodwill to men. Amen. Louise Price
Greeting protocol
Manhattan: If, on the 24th or 25th of this December, I take leave of anyone whom I believe observes Christmas (that includes Catholics and most Protestants), I will say, “Merry Christmas.” My fellow and sister Jews won’t expect a festival greeting because Chanukah was early this year. And if I’m not sure, I will ask, “Is it merry Christmas”? Alan R. Brown