December 20, 2007 Vol. 36 Issue 7
Editorial: True meaning
of Christmas
gets hidden behind materialism
By Emily Hauser, sr.
for the editorial board
Christmas used to be about family and getting together with
friends over a cup of hot chocolate while reminiscing about the year.
Now,
Jesus’ birth is celebrated with presents and stress over choosing the
right gift for everybody.
The meaning of this holiday is lost in the maze of supermarket aisles, lined
with the perfect gifts for everyone. Christmas Eve service is an inconvenience
before waiting up all night for Santa so that presents can be unwrapped Christmas
morning.
Baby Jesus and the nativity scene have been replaced by a fat man in a red
suit and television commercials proclaiming the best deals of the season.
Perhaps the worst part of the consumerism of Christmas is that hardly anyone
thinks that it is wrong. Of course we are taught from a young age that
it is better to give than to receive, but the amount of marketing and obsession
that occur each and every year is ridiculous and needs to be stopped.
Some people reply that they do not need anything when asked what they want,
but when they actually receive nothing they are disappointed and clearly
expected something to be given because that is how it is supposed to work.
The holiday season needs to be brought back to its original meaning of
love and togetherness without overwhelming anticipation for presents and
Santa.
Giving because it feels good or because someone really wants to is okay.
Giving because someone feels like they have to is not.
(Pro) Spirit of Christmas lies within
family
By Haley Huffman, sr.
Editor-in-Chief
Despite the stress of the holiday season, what many people
believe to be the most important part of Christmas would be the time spent
with their family and friends. Many adults share family traditions from their
memories and instill those customs onto their children. I think it is very
important for families to spend time with one another during Christmas in
order to make memories that will last the rest of their lives.
Many families put up Christmas trees and decorate their homes. Some may even
watch all their favorite Christmas movies.
Depriving people of these times
would not be fair because they would never remember Christmas being so special.
Buying presents and picking out the perfect gift for someone is only half
the fun. Seeing the smile brought to a face by the gift is what Christmas
is all about.
Having Christmas traditions to look forward to each year is a great idea.
There are many customs that started centuries ago that still continue to
exist today. Incorporating century-old Christmas traditions into ones celebration
of the season can help people enjoy the season even more. It is good for
families to spend time together in order to create new traditions of their
own.
Keeping up old traditions, as well as creating new ones, is an important
part of Christmas and vital to bringing family together to make the season
merry.
(Con)
Holiday season leads to frustration
By Seth Morton, sr.
Reporter
It is time for the holidays again, time to wait in long
lines, shopping for items two sizes too small because Black Friday was
so long ago and the stores are out of stock. By the time anyone makes it
to the store, they see that almost everything has changed so they spend
the rest of their day walking mindlessly around the store because they
are too late to get what they needed.
My only question is, why is there such a need to give or receive gifts
during the holiday season? Christmas should be and remain to be about so
much more than just the latest knickknacks of the year. The music of the
season is overplayed and we have heard the story of Frosty melting from
the sun almost a million times, so why do people put so much emphasis on
holidays?
The only story that I think even comes anywhere close to telling the true
story of Christmas is A Christmas Story, “you will shoot your eye
out!”
The holiday season starts in late November, but for almost every store
in America it actually starts in late October.
The real question presenting itself is, can we not save all the blandness
of holiday cheer for when the holidays actually start? Or will “holiday
cheer” mind wash us all into buying gifts people will not like anyway,
blowing their money on pointlessness.
Let us never forget the everlasting spirit of Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas
Carol, “bah humbug!”
Review: Holiday movie, great
choice for all ages
By Bailey Myers, jr.
Advertising Manager
At first glance, Fred Claus appears to be another children’s
Christmas movie, but in fact, it holds a little twist that makes it entertaining
for people of all ages.
This twist is Vince Vaughn, who plays Fred, Santa’s older brother.
Vince, known for his never-ending explanations is able to make any situation
funny, this Christmas scene is no different.
Unlike most Christmas movies, this one includes Saint Nicholas’s older
brother. But instead of his brother being cheery just like Santa himself,
he is the exact opposite: Fred hates Christmas due to his parents’ favoritism
for Nick.
This movie, being less make-believe than others, has a more realistic plot.
Fred even runs into financial issues and promises Nick he will help the elves
in return for some money.
Vince, being tall, looks absolutely ridiculous next to the elves, which only
adds to the humor of the situation.
Little does Fred know, Santa is at risk of being shut down. Nonetheless,
Fred causes chaos, and at the same time, Santa is getting very sick and will
not be able to deliver the presents.
If they are not delivered, Santa will be shut down for good. Nick finally
reveals this to Fred, who feels terrible for the things he did, so he steps
up and delivers the presents.
Other than the completely unoriginal “save Christmas” theme,
I think this movie was an excellent alternative to the usual kids stuff.
It is also a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
At the movies.
Showtimes
for Dec. 21
Information compiled by
Michelle Sollars, sr.
From www.bbtheatres.com
Roxy Cinema 4 Chanute
|
Sterling Six Cinemas Iola
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National Treasure: Book of Secrets
(PG) 4:05, 7:00, 9:45
Alvin and the Chipmunks (PG) 4:10, 6:40, 8:50 I Am Legend (PG-13) 3:50, 6:50, 9:10 The Golden Compass (PG-13) 4:15, 6:45, 9:15 |
National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG) 1:10, 4:05, 7:00, 9:45 P.S. I Love You (PG-13) 1:20, 4:00, 6:55, 9:40 Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (R) 1:55, 4:15, 7:15, 9:50 |
Alvin and the |
Cub Voices
What is your favorite part of the holidays?
 |
 |
Phillip Vernon, sr.,
“My favorite part of the holidays is spending
time with friends and family. I also like the food. Yeah, the food
is probably my favorite part.”
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Shelby Novotny, jr., “Making
Christmas candy at my grandma’s and opening presents Christmas
morning. Plus having all my brothers home. It’s the only time
that we all get along.”
|
 |
 |
Nick Miller, so., “Getting
out of school is the best part, and just being able to relax without
school work.”
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Chelsie Angleton,
fr., “My favorite part of the holidays is
getting together with my family, and getting gifts.”
|
 |
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Prism Glynn, computer applications teacher, “Duh! The sweets, I love candy and chocolate; it is actually a problem of mine. I’m thinking about checking into rehab.” |
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