By: Kimberley Smith
Christmas brings to mind many different memories – all different for each person.
As time draws nearer to that 1984 day of celebration, one is encouraged to recall Christmases past. Mistletoe, holly, fir trees decorated with ornaments and bows, wrapped packages and tinsel. But to the mind of all Christians is added the grace of God. The celebration need not be one day of the year – December 25 is only the official date to celebrate the birth of the Child of Love – Jesus Christ.
Of the TCC students, faculty, and administration interviewed on what Christmas means to them, the reactions were varied. Here are a few:
“It is a day of memories that brings back to mind a feeling of nostalgia and humble beginnings.” Mike Danko
“A day of rest.” David Wright
“It is the day that we celebrate the birth of Christ and peace and love.” Traci Anthony
“It is a day of national peace and tranquility. A day in which everyone comes together to exchange gifts and love for the next year in which we all get together again.” Ken Hodges
“A special time of the year to celebrate Christ’s birth.” Tim Lacy
“A day set aside to celebrate Christ’s birth. And it’s a time when we get together with all our friends and family and celebrate.” John Huffman
“A magical time; a time to be with the people closest to me and celebrate.” Elaine Keown
“Family, traditions, love and celebration.” Barbara Hall
“Family, food, and friends. Plus the warmth of the season and the birth of Christ,” Joel Cash, Faculty
“Besides the religious connotation, Christmas means and symbolizes peace and goodwill toward our people. It is a time to focus on our lives and perhaps to speculate. It is a time to do for others when for the rest of the year we’re too busy with the rest of our problems.” Connor Patman, Board of Regents
“CHRIST’S BIRTH! Everyone gets together and has fun. Christmas means to me the happy faces of little children. Being with people you love and are dear to you. Seeing old friends and calling old friends you haven’t seen or heard from in awhile.” Sheila Owen, Secretary
“Christmas means love, giving, telling those around you you care. Christmas is a time to think of others. Christmas is children and their innocence and excitement. It is a time to think about peace and God’s love for the world.” Elisabeth Shaw, Counselor
“Basically, it’s family getting together and being able to enjoy each other’s company. Giving is the best part – it makes you feel good to make someone else feel good. It’s making others feel better about themselves at the holidays, if you can.” Jeff Seward
“Christmas to me is a time to enjoy the family – a happy time to stop and thank God for his many blessings for my family and our health. It’s a wonderful day to appreciate the wonderful gift God gave to us in his son Jesus. To know that through Him all eternity can be better than any thing we’ve ever experienced here on earth.” Betty Smith
“Christmas to me is a time for families to get together and share the joys of life. It is the time of year for eggnogs, mistletoe and Christmas parties. But mostly Christmas is a time to share our fortunes with those not so fortunate.” Stephen Moore
“Christmas always means different things to me. Last year it meant loneliness. This year it means togetherness – an opportunity to share the birth of Christ with family and friends. Happy Birthday, Jesus.” H. Steven Johnson
“Christmas is a very special time to me. It is a time that we celebrate that wonderful gift that was given to us. The gift of Jesus from God. We gather together to have a good time either with our friends or family.” Susan Hensley
“Christmas means a time for family and a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time to gather together as a family unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christ. Not just for my family, but for all the Salvation Army does for people.” Jeanette C. Warren
“A time of year that people show their love for others by giving gifts. Christmas is a chosen day out of the year to officially recognize the love of God. A time of year when loved ones get together and feel warm and close. Just like the end of December, so goes the love. The love for God, and feeling God’s love, should be recognized and celebrated every, moving second of the day. While Christians celebrate everyday, Christmas is a time the whole world celebrates, when they should all the time.” Lee Weddington
“Christmas is a season of love. It’s a special time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ. Families and friends get together and make Christmas a time for sharing and caring. Above all, it’s a time for peace and good will.” Tressa Turner
“Christmas means spending time with family, love, friends, giving, and a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.” Kim Johnson
“Christmas, oh, lots of mix memories of friends and family, seeing people who haven’t drifted out of your heart but are not as close as they use to be. And a time to pause and think about all the people the world over, for at this time we all tend to be closer.” Brian Goessl
“Christmas is a time for sharing with the ones you love. It is a time of peace and joy.” Ben Cox, Bookstore Manager
“To one Christmas means a great time of celebration for the family to unite and enjoy the birth of Christ. It is a time for joy and happiness.” Estelle Parsons
“Christmas to me is a time for family and since I’m older, it’s not Santa Claus anymore, it’s a time for Christ. A time for sharing and caring – not just your family. I worked at the Salvation Army for a while. It’s also for sharing our good will for those less fortunate.” Debbie Cogell
“Christmas means family to me. Everyone coming together for sharing and getting in touch with one another during the season.” Brenda Cook
“To me Christmas is a break from reality. It is a fantasy world of fulfilled wishes and genuine warmth. The problems of the world disappear that one day but return too soon.” Rick Cottle
“Chirstmas is a time of love. A celebration of the birth of Jesus. Memories of Christmas’s long ago and Christmases to come.” P. Whitehead
“Christmas is a time for giving. A time to share with others and spread love.” Tim James
“Christmas means family and giving. If I were a millionaire, I would buy everyone I know a Christmas gift.” Candy Stevens Smith, Faculty
“Christmas means giving gifts to the people I love. It’s a time of enjoyment and celebration throughout the world.” Rosie Gurley
“Christmas means spending time with family and giving gifts.” John Delo