Dear Vanessa -
I responded to the initial question about the Holy Bible with the remark
about reading the Nativity story at Christmas and the person I responded to
sent it to the entire group.
By reading the Nativity story I'm not celebrating a birthday. I'm sharing
the 2,000 year old, traditional Christmas story. And I while I know the true
origins of Christmas I don't think that's really applicable to my first,
second and third graders.
I'm sorry you would be offended if your child went to my school. I hope you
share this with your child's librarian so s/he doesn't offend you. I don't
expect anyone to believe as I do - but I do enjoy sharing and loving my
students. In my house we celebrate Christmas, Jesus's birth. Santa Claus
brings gifts to the small ones and the rest of us give gifts to each other,
in honor of the gift God gave us, his love and his Son.
I read the Nativity story in school. I read Santa stories, too. I read them
in December, usually during the last week of school before the Christmas
holiday. That's when people celebrate Christmas. I preface the stories with,
"Every family celebrates something. In my house we celebrate Christmas. We
remember Jesus's birth and we give gifts to each other. Santa comes on
Christmas Eve. Maybe you do something similar in your house - maybe you do
something different. Isn't it great that we can share?"
The nativity story does not show anyone celebrating a birthday. It is a
history story from the Bible that I choose to share, like many people around
the globe, with the people I love - my family and my kids at school. It's
American culture. I don't say it is the BEST way to celebrate. I don't say
it is the ONLY way. I say it is the way my family celebrates.
I don't think it's my place to talk about a Crucifiction with first, second
and third graders. It is an important story, but in the twenty or so minutes
I have with the children it could also come off as gruesome and gory. Since
we have the week before Easter off from school, reading the Easter story
really doesn't fit in the plans.
I'm glad you shared your feelings with the group. It must be very difficult
to explain to your son what all the hoopla is about on December 25. I know
not everyone believes as I do, and that's what makes life so interesting.
Karen DeFrank
----- Original Message -----
From: Vaneesa Thompson <vaneesat@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Fw: Was THE HOLY BIBLE now Christmas Traditions
As a Christian who does not celebrate Christmas as Christ's birthday, I
would be very offended if my son's librarian had read him the nativity story
at Christmas time.
There is no example of people celebrating birthdays in
the Bible. However, we are told to remember His death. How many times is
this story told in school? If you want to read the story of Christ's birth,
why wait until Dec. 25th?
In fact, if you want to know the true origin of Christmas, why not do a
Google search for Christmas and "Catholic Church" and pagan? Please note
that I am not trying to slam the Catholic Church - I do not believe as they
do - but they are the ones who started the Christmas tradition.
Anyway, I will climb off my soapbox now. I hope that I have not offended
anyone with this e-mail. I know many people hold their Christmas traditions
very sacred. Just keep in mind that not everyone believes as you do - not
even all Christians.
Just my dime's worth.
Vaneesa
Vaneesa Thompson
Library Media Specialist
Trinity, Alabama
vaneesat@bellsouth.net
________________________________________________
"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at
once."
"My mind contains many good ideas, but it is not always easy to squeeze one
out."
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Joni Rathbun
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 7:50 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Fw: [LM_NET] THE HOLY BIBLE
> I read the Nativity story at Christmas time to my classes. As long as I
> don't say it is the best way or the only way it is permissible.
It seems to me this might be challengable. I'm not familiar with any
clauses that allow the reading of Bible and other religious stories and
such as long as they are not presented as the "best way" or "only way."
Best or only what?
I understand they can be included in literature courses, folklore studies
and courses about religion. But does a holiday reading fall under the
same umbrella of protection?
J. Rathbun, Librarian
Mojave High School
Clark County School District
Las Vegas, Nevada
Email: jrathbun@orednet.org
http://ccsd.net/schools/mojave/library
Leave it to Beaver was not a documentary.
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