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Published: December 14th 2004
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It doesn't get any better than this does it?
Thanks to Mr. KFC himself we can all enjoy a big bucket of chicken this holiday season. Dear friends and family, The tree is standing and the lights shining for Christmas is just around the corner.
Many of you are running around picking up last minute stocking stuffers while some of
you are too consumed with final exams to even think about the holiday season. One
might think that living in a country where Christmas is not an official holiday and
only one percent of the population considers themselves to be Christian that the holiday
spirit in Japan would be nonexistent. However, with the help of western influence and big business signs of Christmas joy can be seen all
across Japan and this is not an exaggeration. For example, the Kernel
Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken or “Kentucky Chan” as one of my Japanese
friends says is decked out in his Santa gear, the Pachinko Parlor employees have
their little snow bunny mini skirts on as short as they can get, and Christmas cakes
are being sold by the masses. With this in mind please understand that while many
Japanese may enjoy singing carols, giving gifts, and even visiting Santa to promise
they
Tis the Season. . .
To be Jolly... Fa la la la la haven’t been naughty often times they don’t really know that much about why
Christmas is really celebrated. Instead, it is a time for couples and friends to go
shopping, visit love hotels, exchange candies, and look at decorations and
lights. Last week when hitching across Japan one trucker asked why I was going to
Nagano. After explaining that I was going to see my sister for Christmas he then asked
me this question. “Is the 24th Halloween and the 25th the Christmas or is it the other
way around?” Another time I asked my Japanese friend what she knew about
Christmas and she said, “Christo? Un, suki yo!” meaning Christ, yes I like him. In
closing, although Christmas may not be its usual genuine to the core “American
Christmas” rest assured that for me this holiday season I will be filled just as much
joy and happiness as the rest of you. Living in Japan has helped me see; putting
religious beliefs aside, that Christmas can and should be celebrated by everyone
regardless of how they chose to celebrate.
To all of you this holiday season please stay A Nordic Christmas.
A glance at how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world. warm, safe, and of course have a very Merry Christmas!!
Regards, Spencer Huddleston
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anonymous
non-member comment
uh huh
That's right. He's in Japan. Get over it. :-) - Jason