Christmas

With a song in their hearts, the 7th grade class of St. James the Less Catholic School, led by their teacher Nola Ching, visited the residents of Verdugo Vista HeathCare Center in La Crescenta. Decked out in Christmas scarves and Santa hats, the students walked the halls caroling. As they sang, each student handed out special, handmade Christmas cards to the residents. The class ended their caroling in the main living room where there were about twelve residents in wheelchairs sitting by the center’s Christmas tree which was decorated and lit with colored lights.

Gary Moskowitz You could hear jingle bells jingling and the echo of "ho, ho, ho" in the hallways. You could see the delight and anticipation on students' -- and teachers' -- faces as Santa Claus visited classrooms Wednesday during Pajama Day at Marshall Elementary School. Santa, decked out in his red and white outfit, hauled a red velvet sack of candy canes to each classroom. He asked students to wish their teacher a merry Christmas and tell him what Christmas means to them.

During these tough economic times, the families of St. James the Less Catholic School opened their hearts and their wallets to help spread Christmas cheer to those less fortunate by continuing the tradition of Adopt-A-Family at Christmas time. Wish lists sent from families at St. Augustine?s in Culver City were given to each grade at St. James with the hope of making their holiday wishes come true. These are families that regardless of the economic climate will struggle this holiday season.

Marshall Allen GLENDALE -- Church services, and community service are highlighted during the Advent season at Holy Family Girls' High School. Advent, which comes from the Latin word for "arrival" or "coming," is a period of preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is the start of the Christmas season. For Christians, it's a time of joyous anticipation and preparation for Christmas. The students at Holy Family celebrate Advent with a combination of tradition services and community service, said Campus Minister Rosemary Johnston.

Robert Chacon For holiday travelers who hit the road and leave behind their coddled canines, fussed-over felines and pampered parakeets, a pet-sitter is the ticket to a worry-free vacation. For those who tend to other people's pets for a living, the winter holidays mean they are usually too busy to participate in their own holiday celebrations. "It's been about eight years since [we've had] a regular Christmas," said Mel Saroyan, co-owner of I-Stay U-Go, a pet-sitting service in Glendale.

Robert Chacon For Mary Anadolian, Christmas has always marked the beginning of a new year in her life since it comes a day after her birthday. But for the La Crescenta resident who was born in 1989, this Christmas will be like no other. Mary is battling Hodgkin's disease. Mary will undergo a fourth chemotherapy session Dec. 22, after which doctors will be able to tell Mary and her family if the treatments have done enough good so that treatment can be discontinued.

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! As I unwrap the Christmas decorations every year, I reflect upon these words and admire all the ornaments, especially those shaped like candy canes. Candy canes are such a delicious treat, one we enjoyed every year as children while trimming the tree. Although I grew up in a Christian home, I never knew the meaning behind the candy cane until I was an adult. I am sure many of you know this tale, but it’s always nice to remind ourselves of the candy cane legend and reflect upon why we celebrate Christmas as Christians and remember why Christ was born into this world in the first place — to die for our sins.

Dale Kristien will add sparkle to the Glendale Symphony Orchestra's `Christmas Celebration Gala' concert Friday at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.Glendale Symphony Orchestra will combine professional soloists and youth groups to present a magical musical holiday program on Friday at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. The star at the top of the orchestra's Christmas tree this year is singer Dale Kristien, who played Christine Daae during the 4 1/2 -year Los Angeles run of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera."

Alecia Foster MONTROSE -- Members of the First Baptist Church of Montrose got an early start on their Christmas celebration Sunday evening. Members packed into the church for its annual Christmas candlelight service, a traditional service full of symbolism. Each Sunday during Advent, the four-weeks leading up to the birth of Christ, a colored candle was lit. During the candlelight service, Pastor John May lit the final candle. The large white candle was a symbolic of Christ being the light of the world.

Santa appeared a little ahead of schedule for hundreds of Lincoln Elementary School students Friday, giving up about an hour of his time before school to talk to the children about all things Christmas. Students in all grades took turns being selected to sit on Santa's lap, where he asked them to share with their peers things like what they wanted for Christmas, special holiday family traditions, and what the season means to them. Breakfast with Santa is a Parent-Teacher Assn.