Merry Beijing

A group of 15 WorldLink Education students from the United States, Australia, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland and other Christmas-friendly nations will sing and perform popular carols at Chinese high schools and the PLA General Hospital during the first week of December.

At the end of the performance, chocolates sponsored by Cadbury, will be given to schoolchildren and audience.

Performances will include introduction and presentation of songs in both Chinese and English on three afternoons during the first week of December. Other venues were being arranged at presstime. For information, call Amy Lim-Johnson at 6239-5067.

WorldLink Education is a student liaison organization bringing foreign students worldwide to study in Beijing, China. Students undertake Chinese language, China Business and Martial Arts course programs.

Carols to be sung include Jingle Bells (See right), Silent Night; We Wish You a Merry Christmas; White Christmas. Santa Claus will make an appearance.

"Christmas is popularly celebrated all around the world,?said Amy Lim-Johnson, WorldLink China Operations manager.

"Although songs and festive food differ according to the customs of each country, Christmas represents a time for family reunion and the spirit of giving and sharing. For our students, this Christmas will shared with their new family --Chinese and foreign friends. They will be spreading the cheer and spirit of Christmas when they take part in this Carols event."

Here's what Christmas means to some of the singers above:

We often gather around our Christmas tree to sing carols and drink eggnog. On Christmas Eve, we sometimes get a group together, and go out round the neighborhood to sing carols. Although I won't physically be with my loved ones this year, singing Christmas carols will enable me to at least be with them in spirit!

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Carmel (Australia), Takumi Konno (Japan), Rory Macperson (Australia), Christina Twelftree (Australia), Elena Avanzo (Italy), Olivier van Hardenbroek (Holland), Mikael (Sweden), and Rebecca Adams (United States of America)

Singing carols in Chinese will add a special flavor to the holiday this year, and I am looking forward to sharing the songs with my Chinese friends! --Rebecca Adams, USA

On Christmas Day, the family rises quite early and runs around excitedly. "Merry Christmas" is the phrase on every pair of lips.

The presents are always present but it is the celebration of extended family reunion that distinguishes my Christmas. For those who follow the faith, carols signify the birth of mankind's salvation. For others, the united chorus of lungs and voices at full stretch are sure to invoke an intangible peace of mind. --Rory Macpherson, Australia

Christmas is a very warm time of the year in Australia. I spend the day with my family. First presents are passed out, this is followed by a huge turkey lunch and finally the older members of the family fall asleep on the sofa while my sisters and I relax around the pool. --Christina Twelftree, Australia

The Japanese don't traditionally celebrate Christmas. However the custom has now become that couples will go out together and exchange gifts. I have been studying in Australia for five years. In Australia on Christmas Day, families get together at home. I am thrilled that we were given such an opportunity to sing some Christmas carols in China. I believe this is the best way to exchange cultures. --Takumi Konno, Japan

For me, Christmas is the time when people consider what they love most in their lives; their family and friends. I think it's the most peaceful time of the year. In Switzerland, families meet and have dinner together, sharing a great banquet and good wines.
Often we give gifts to each other. Whether the gifts are small or expensive, it doesn't matter. The thought is more important. In schools, even in university, Santa Claus comes to visit classrooms and offer some peanuts and oranges. They sing songs and tell jokes. --Seang Tchang, Switzerland

I think Christmas is the greatest day of the year. Lights on Christmas trees are set up, with people rushing around buying gifts for relatives and friends. There is food on our tables with special dishes like homemade tortellini soup and cotechino with potatoes. I really enjoy Christmas and I want to bring my joy and share this happy day with you all in China. During this time, families get together. Here in China, my big family is the Chinese people, so I look forward to singing carols. I hope that Christmas will bring you all the very best! --Elena Avanzo, Padova, Italy

Poor and wealthy celebrate Christmas as the time for reunion of close family and best friends. In Holland, with the global movement of a more internationally mixed population, Christmas is becoming more and more important in my culture. Christmas is truly an important and heartwarming occasion for all of us. --Olivier van Hardenbroek, Holland

Jingle Bells

Chorus
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh-eight!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!
Verse
Dashing through the snow, On a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go, Laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring, Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.