Digital Commons Network^™

12/25/2016: Christmas, 2016—Secular Hope, Bruce Ledewitz

Hallowed Secularism

Blog post, “Christmas, 2016—Secular Hope“ discusses politics, theology and the law in relation to religion and public life in the democratic United States of America.

The Berenstain Bears: God Bless Our Country, Ashley Roggow

Children's Book and Media Review

The Berenstain Bears books are great for young children and have covered many topics such as manners, responsibility, kindness, as well as holiday themes. The story is well written. It starts out as the Fourth of July holiday is nearing and the Berenstain Bears are prepping for the holiday and participating in the patriotic activities. The Bear kids start by decorating their bikes, Mama Bear sews flags, and Papa Bear tries on his old military uniform. Papa bear tells the kids during their snack how their "bear country" started. On the fourth, the Berenstain Bears attend and participate in their …

A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story, Aylea Stephens

Children's Book and Media Review

Papa works very far away building big houses and only comes home for Chinese New Year. Mama and Maomao get up early so that they can spend the day with Papa. Papa gives them gifts, then they go to get a haircut for luck during the new year. The family makes sticky rice balls with a coin in one to give the receiver good luck, and Maomao is lucky enough to get it. They celebrate the new year by visiting people, repairing the house, watching the dragon dance on main street, and playing in the snow. When Papa has to …

Little Elfie One, Aylea Stephens

Children's Book and Media Review

Everyone is busy getting ready for Christmas in the North Pole. One elf celebrates by leaping and laughing. Two little mice nibbled and gnawed. Three gingerbread kids run. Four little carolers sing songs. Five polar bears swim and dive. Six little snowmen shiver, seven little stars wink, Santa calls his eight helpers, and then he flies with his nine reindeer. As everyone gets ready to celebrate Christmas, Little Elfie One waits for Santa so that they can all enjoy Christmas.

My Pen Pal, Santa, Aylea Stephens

Children's Book and Media Review

In January, Ava writes a thank-you note to Santa Claus that starts a whole year of being pen pals with Santa. Santa replies to her questions, so Ava writes to Santa about Valentine’s Day in February, the tooth fairy in March, Easter in April, gardens in May, the naughty list in June, the Fourth of July, vacations in August, birthdays in September, Halloween in October, Thanksgiving in November, and her questions about Christmas in December. Ava keeps being told that Santa isn’t real, but thanks to her letters, she knows that he is!

Why Are Vacations So Exhausting?, Howard Schaap

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"What do we mean by 'vacation'? Is vacation about relaxation or adventure? What do we even mean by those terms? Does vacation really give you a break?"

Posting about retreating from every day activities­­­­­­­­ from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/why-are-vacations-so-exhausting/