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Uploaded: Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 4:26 PM                                            
Updated: Friday, December 7, 2012, 1:53 PM

Adding sparkle to the season  

by Andrea Gemmet
Mountain View Voice Staff

Photos

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The holidays got into full swing in downtown Mountain View on Monday night, as the city held its annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony. Choirs sang and children's eyes lit up along with the trees. From snowball fights to visits with old St. Nick, there was plenty of holiday cheer to go around. Voice photographer Michelle Le's photo essay shows some the evening's highlights.

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Comments

Posted by AC, a resident of another community, on Dec 7, 2012 at 4:31 pm
AC is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online

It was a lovely evening. The only thing that troubled me is that in the over half an hour spent listening to music, I didn't hear the name "Jesus" even once. Heard about Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc. But as the holiday is, in its origin, about the historical (if not the religious) figure of Jesus, it seemed... I dunno. Stark. I don't think one has to believe in Him to at least recall that He was the reason for the instigation of the holiday..... I'd have respected hearing His name as much as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or any other celebration of the event.....

Posted by to AC, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Dec 8, 2012 at 8:46 am

I agree that the holiday is because of HIM. But, most people already understand the origin of Christmas...but few understand Hanukkah or Kwanzaa (unless you already celebrate that holiday).

There were tons of songs that do say HIS name. I agree the holiday is about him, but everyday people do not want to be preached at. The intent of this event is community and inclusiveness.

They could have turned it into a "Holiday" party, where no lights, no tree, no Santa, no outward signs of any specific holiday. Let's hope we never go that far.

But, HE is still there...in the songs, in the minds of everyone who understands why this holiday exists. It is there, whether people believe or not.
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