Christmas in Jinan

Mia, our Chinese “daughter”, made this little Santa from a polymer type product.  (She is a physics major)  She and Wade, our Chinese “son”, gave us this beautiful book of horses drawn by Chinese artists.  Rick had expressed interest in several of the drawings and they were quick to answer with this beautiful gift.

Wade was awarded a special scholarship and took “us” to dinner to celebrate.  The menu included roasted fish, sweet potatoes with blueberry sauce, crunchy corn on the cob.  It was all different and delicious.  Orchids garnished the plates.  Who could ask for a better holiday kick-off.

Young Chinese Santas!  We found them in downtown Jinan promoting a TV station.  They were full of energy and handed us tiny pieces of candy.  What a fun discovery.  “Ho, Ho, Ho” sounds the same in any language.

Giving gold coins is a Chinese tradition at the New Year.  I gave my students “chocolate” gold coins and they were thrilled.  They are holding them in the air for you to see.  All my classes were surprised and grateful.  These students are wonderful!!  We were also doing oral finals that day.  I completed 40, Rick listened to finals for 58 students.  That was a new way to celebrate Christmas.  It was a long but rewarding day on campus.  Our holiday meal was a PB&J sandwich, eaten one bite at a time, between finals.

We discussed Christmas in America for three weeks.  I placed particular emphasis on service.  They loved all of it, especially pictures of my family at holiday time.  They think all Americans eat apples on Christmas Eve.  Rick and I received several cards and many small gift boxes with a single apple inside.  My students gladly proclaimed, “Merry Christmas, Professor Hafen”, the entire day.  Thankfully, political correctness has not yet reached their lives.  They have no religious affiliations but freely expressed their holiday greetings to us so we might feel happy on our special holiday and not miss our home and children.  They said and did all they could to add to the festivities of our last class period and the beginning of final exams.  Is it any wonder we love these students so much!!

Christmas evening was spent with several language teachers from many countries.  This was an event to remember.  Phil was our host and music leader.  He is a former member of the Tabernacle Choir and knows how to lead a group of non-musicians in lively singing.

This beautiful Christian Korean family sang several carols in Korean.

Mel Gibson (his English name) and his lovely wife are from Sudan.  He teaches Arabic.  Although they are Muslim, they joined in singing carols and he sang a traditional piece in Arabic while she sang a sweet song in Iraqi.

Kathy, our lovely hostess, provided tasty treats.  What is more American than seven layer dip and tortilla chips?  I haven’t had that dish in months and it was delicious and perfect with hot chocolate and wassail.   Rick was thrilled with the Rice Krispy treats.  Oh, the things that suddenly have more value.

Lulu, on the right, is a member of our branch group.  She is from South Africa and a medical student at Shandong University.  Her friend joined us for the party.

Three more great English teachers from the BYU CTP program.

Patrice, sitting next to me, teaches French at Shandong Normal University.  He was quite a lively character at the party.  His French accent is a pleasure to hear.

Phil led us in singing “Silent Night” in English.  Then, versus were also sung in Spanish, French, German, Zulu, Italian, and Korean.  What a powerful message the event proclaimed.  We must always be cautious about any religious expressions.  It is more difficult to control how we feel when touched by the spirit.  The music conveyed an unmistakable declaration of the miracle that is Christmas.  This is one holiday I shall long remember that truly celebrated the birth of the Savior.