Dear Editor:

I think Christmas is important in a Christian’s life. If you are known to being a believer, you know what Christmas truly is about.

It’s great to have the feeling of giving around this time of year, when we know how much Jesus has provided for us. I always wonder if people really think about what Christmas means to them, but also the world.

I would like to learn about what other countries do for a Christmas related holiday, if they even have one or know it exists.

I am half Russian and while growing up in the U.S., my family has celebrated Christmas twice: American Christmas on Dec. 25 and Russian Christmas on Jan. 6. Although American Christmas means we usually have more presents whereas Russian Christmas we get only one gift.

I will definitely keep that tradition alive in my family. Every year since I was born, on the day before Christmas Eve, my mom always reads the story about when Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem on a donkey and had baby Jesus born in a manger. That is a big tradition that I will carry on to my family. I think it’s important to keep family traditions but to also make new ones.

Christmas is the time of year to give, but it also seems to put everyone in a good mood. Christmas is my favorite holiday not only because Jesus was born on that day, but to see the joy in everyone’s faces, when they are giving or receiving; it puts a smile on my face.

This year it will only be my parents and I for Christmas. My brother, sister and her husband will not be home. My brother is going on a 3-week road trip with his best friend for a Christian conference in St. Louis and my sister and her husband will be in San Jose. So this Christmas will be a lot different than the rest.

I hope our traditions will still be awake this year. And my collection of 34 snowmen will be displayed in my room (which is a new tradition I started last year). They will keep me company while my siblings are gone.

After all, ’tis the Season to Be Jolly!